27th British Open Crabbing Championship at Walberswick, Suffolk

The 27th British Open Crabbing Championship

27th British Open Crabbing Championship. The 2007 British Open Crabbing Championship took place on a lovely sunny afternoon on August 5th. This year over 750 entrants, some previous crabbers, some very new to it all, came to Walberswick from all over the country, with attendant familes, pushchairs, bicycles and dogs. The pungent smell of bait wafted over them all. Some Mums, Dads and family members sat back in their picnic chairs to enjoy the fun while others joined in with children of all ages sorting out the logistics of bucket, line, bait and weight. Bait varied from fish heads, bacon and whole fish to unidentifiable lumps of 'something tasty' - tasty to a crab that is. Stalls included delicious RNLI cakes for sale, the raffle, ice creams, Uncle Ben's crabbing necessities stall, and of course, the unique 'I Caught Crabs at Walberswick' souvenirs. At the big bang of the maroon the Championship was underway. Many contestants were fishing in bare feet - a good idea in the muddier places as long as a passing crab didn't mistake a toe for bait. There were indeed lots of passing crabs, many of which paid for their 'free meal' by spending time in a colourful bucket. All too soon the competition ended with each entrant encouraged to select their one biggest crab to the officials to be weighed. The experienced and dedicated officials braved the playful nipping of the crabs to determine this year's winners of the coveted Championship prizes: First - Oscar Kane aged 8 of West Wickham, Kent, on his first visit to the Crabbing Championship, with a crab of 5.75 ounces in weight Wins a silver commemorative trophy, a replica gold Medal, £50 and the opportunity to spray the crowd with well-shaken Champagne Second - Isabella Brinton aged 3 of Framlingham, Suffolk, with a crab of 4.75 ounces in weight Wins a replica silver Medal and £30 Third - George Ellis aged 14 from Essex who came for the day and caught a crab of 3.75 ounces in weight Wins a replica bronze Medal and £15 Congratulations! All competitors completing the championship received a pot of Shippam's Crab Paste. [ Photo Slideshow ]
The maroon has been fired into a cloudless blue sky so the 27th British Open Crabbing Championship is underway! These competitors are certainly keeping cool as the tide ebbs around them. Although there were again over 700 entrants at this year's event there was room for all to try their luck.			An action–shot of the competitor in the red hat demonstrating one method of casting your bait. Others fling it high, or underarm in the manner of a cricket bowler, or slide it gently under at the edge of the water or just chuck it all in – and let go of everything....
Bait varied from prime back bacon to three skate–on–a–rope to best liver. Buckets and containers included heavy yellow ´builders buckets´, to sand–castle buckets, poultry manure containers, mop buckets (without the mop), the ever–useful ice–cream container and many others.			Nevermind the Competition – on such a hot afternoon it´s great just to have fun in the water!
The tee–shirt says it all! Although both these crabs are early contenders for a prize it's only at the weigh–in that it becomes clear which crabs are the heaviest ones caught at the event.			Of course a sand–castle bucket may be used temporarily as a home for a crab, but essentially it´s always best for sand–castles! Others not competing chose to just eat ice–creams and watch the action, others flew kites on the dunes or quietly sunbathed.
This event supporter is obviously looking for the tell-tale signs of big crabs in hiding from all the action taking place close by!			Weigh-in time already, with a very orderly line of competitors hoping that the scales will prove their crab to be one of the biggest. All competitors receive a pot of finest Crab Paste (generously donated by Shippams) - so everyone's a winner!
Donations from the proceeds of the 2006 Championship were presented to the RNLI and to Marie Curie Cancer Care (£600.00 each) by Guest Celebrity Esther Freud. Proceeds from this year's event will benefit Walberswick's own Sea Defence Fund.(Thus securing Crabbing Championships for the future).			Three-years-old Isabella Brinton fished from the 'red' bank (as did Oscar, the First Prize winner) and caught the second-heaviest crab so wins a medal and £30. Well Done Isabella - you obviously have the knack!
Oscar's First-Prize-winning crab fished from the 'red' bank at the 2007 British Open Crabbing Championship. This is what a handsome five-and-a-half ounce crab looks like - mind those claws!			Esther Freud has completed the serious business of awarding the prizes so now it´s time to shower everyone with Champagne! Well Done Oscar, Isabella and George. Oscar´s winner's smile says it all - a happy event on a glorious sunny day.
Click on any photo to view a larger picture. You can then click from picture to picture as in a slide show. Click here to return to the main Crabbing page

27th British Open Crabbing Championship.