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WaterTribeTM BlackBeard Challenge (BBC)

Overview Schedule Start/Finish CP1 CP2 CP3 RegistrationSPOT/inReach SetupPLB Setup

Overview

The mystery of Blackbeard: Edward Teach or Edward Beard, may have been born in Charleston, SC, or may have arrived in the new country with a colony of Swiss/German/English refugees who founded New Bern. Blackbeard was an educated ocean-going sailor. He was a pirate for about 2 years. He also frequented Charleston and Beaufort, may have had family in Philadelphia, and eventually had a home on Bay Street in Bath, NC, on the Pamlico River --reached via Ocracoke Inlet. Having strategically grounded "Queen Anne's Revenge", he was 28 years old, was retired from pirating, and was sailing a sloop "Adventure" with minimal crew when he was killed on 22 November 1718 in a naval battle at Ocracoke Inlet. His biographical facts are sparse. Bias and distortions make most stories about him suspect. Were the cannon fuse wicks he lit in his beard intended to terrorize? or... to keep mosquitos away? Ask the members of the "Blackbeard Sailing Club" (a yacht club and marina in New Bern) what they think.

Blackbeard is gone, but the awesomeness of Pamilco Sound continues to impress, and sometimes terrorize, coastal sailors today.

The next WaterTribe BlackBeard Challenge is  Saturday, June 7, 2025. The BlackBeard Challenge is roughly 300 miles long. It starts a few days before the NCC event but both events finish at the same time. Be sure to check the schedule for the correct event! There is a mandatory equipment inspection and captains meeting the day before on Friday, June 6, 2025. Refer to the schedule for time/date specifics.

Completion of a BlackBeard Challenge within the last Ultimate Florida cycle satsifies the entrance requirement for the Ultimate Florida Challenge. For example, completing BBC2021 allows entrance into UF2022.

Cost is $495.00 for the captain and $495.00 for a crew member if any.

Billing starts Wednesday, April 2, 2025.
Registration ends Saturday, May 3, 2025 at noon.
Payment deadline is Saturday, May 3, 2025 at noon. No refunds after the payment deadline.

Due to the exteme commitment for this challenge late registration and/or late payments will not be allowed. We recommend that you commit to this challenge early so you have plenty of time for planning, training, and preparation. Pay early in the payment cycle. You can get a full refund up until Saturday, May 3, 2025 at noon. No refunds after that date and time.

All WaterTribe events are dangerous events as defined by law and common sense. You are responsible for your own safety. You must read and understand the WaterTribe Rules and Warnings  before you register for this event. Although the warnings read specific to Florida, they all apply to the NC environment and must be read and understood for this event.

The BBC distance is roughly 300 miles depending on your course selection. The course for this challenge has been changed a bit from last year. We are going back to our original starting location on Cedar Island. But due to lessons learned in previous years we are going to provide very flexible launching options as follows:

  1. Plan A: Launch from the north facing beach near the ferry landing. This is very weather dependant and is up to you. It is OK to get all setup on inspection day and then change your mind on launch day when you see huge waves crashing on the beach. You cannot launch if a ferry is coming in or going out.

  2. Plan B: Launch from the boat ramp near the ferry landing. You will have to wait your turn just like any other boat ramp. You cannot launch if a ferry is coming in or going out. You must have a boat that could launch off the beach.

  3. Plan C: Launch from any public boat ramp on the highway leading into Cedar Island. You still have to have a boat tha could launch off the beach.

Special Note: We may use starting times based on your actual launch. Hit your OK Button or Message as you begin launching off the beach or boat ramp.

 

This will turn out to be a lot less complicated than it sounds and we will be able to adapt to a wide range of weather conditions. If the weather is good and forecasted to be good for the launch, Plan A is preferred. But no matter what, you can choose any of the three options. Please let race management know if you are going to use Plan B or Plan C.

The course proceeds in a roughly counter-clockwise manor as shown in the tracking map. We have also loosened up our course requirements. You must proceed to each checkpoint in the correct order, but you can choose any course you want depending on the weather, your boat, and your prudent selection. For example, from the Start to CP1 you can go inside or outside. It's up to you. Then from CP1 to CP2 you can choose inside or outside again. It's your choice.

From CP2 to CP3 again you have a choice. Take Clubfoot Creek and the Hawlowe Canal or hit your OK at CP2 and then go back up to the intercoastal.

The waypoints are shown as general guidelines for the course. They are not intended for navigation.

We also have two preferred options for the finish. You can finish at the beach on the outside or go to the small boat ramp and dock on the inside. The third option is the boat ramp at the end of Ditch Path Road near the Islands Choice convenience store. Although the 3rd options is accepted, it is not preferred and should only be used to avoid dangerous weather.

There are restricted areas along the route. You must mark these areas on your charts and be well aware of their location and rules. Some of these areas are used for bombing, shelling, and strafing practice. Be sure to chart a course that leaves plenty of room for these areas.

There is an overall maximum time limit of approximately 7 days.

BBC2021 Tracking Map

The link above will take you to the tracking map which is the best way to view the course.

Waypoint Race Location Lat/Lon
Start BBC & NCC Cedar Island
35.017600°
-76.311600°
CP1 - Virtual BBC Alligator River Marina 35.905949°
-76.029933°
CP2 - Virtual BBC & NCC Clubfoot Creek 34.921700°
-76.759200°
CP3 - Virtual BBC & NCC Beaufort City Docks 34.715067°
-76.662567°
Finish BBC & NCC Cedar Island Beach
or
Cedar Island Inside
or
Ramp at Ditch Path Rd
35.017600°
-76.311600°
or
35.016100°
-76.315500°
or
35.004400°
-76.316700°
A virtual CP means that you hit your SPOT/inReach OK Message or Custom Message to checkin. There will not be a CP Captain on site at virtual CPs.

Note: The table includes waypoints for both the BlackBeard Challenge (BBC) and the North Carolina Challenge (NCC).

The BBC is run as an unsupported, expedition-style adventure races for kayaks, canoes and small boats. Your safety and well being are completely up to you. You should be an expert kayaker and/or sailor before you consider this challenge. Although this event is not an open ocean race, the location is coastal, subject to the same weather patterns and conditions one finds beyond the narrow barrier islands and impacting the shallow sounds.

Unsupported means that there are no safety boats or support crews to help you during the race. You are not allowed to have a support crew follow you or meet you during the race. It is okay to have family or friends meet you at the official checkpoint, but they cannot provide anything other than emotional support. See the official WaterTribe Rules for more details.

Expedition-style means that you should carry the same type of equipment and supplies that you would carry on a major expedition. Camping equipment, food, water, safety, communication means, etc. is required. Please read the WaterTribe Challenge Equipment List (in the Rules PDF), which details required equipment for a Challenge. For either event, please choose your equipment needs carefully. Everyone must also carry all safety equipment as specified by the Coast Guard, local regulations and common sense.

In addition, all boats in this challenge are also required to carry a SPOT or inReach device. Please read the instructions for Spot or inReach Setup and Usage for WaterTribe events.

Although this is a race, many participants are more interested in cruising and adventure. Whether you are a cruiser or racer is up to you; time allows for both. Just getting to the starting line is a major accomplishment, and many starters will not finish.

A banquet lunch and award ceremony for the BBC will take place Saturday beginning at about 10:30 at the new facilites on Cedar Island.

Accommodations

You basically have three choices for accommodations during these NC events:

  • The motel on Cedar Island is now open. Be sure and mention you are with WaterTribe.
  • The campground has been upgraded and is available for tents or RVs. Be sure and mention you are with WaterTribe.
  • Here is the link for the motel and campground: Cedar Island Resort  and phone (252) 515-0201.
  • Or get a motel room, Bed-And-Breakfast or campsite at any location within driving distance. There are several from Beaufort to Cedar Island.

Weather

Weather and sea conditions for Oriental, Neuse River, and Pamlico Sound can be found in this great web site:  Town Dock  Look in the INSIDE TOWNDOCK section on the right side of the home page for weather links, ferry schedules, etc.


ALL Events - Must Read, Understand, and Agree:
Warning
Rules
Special Launch Rules
Boat Classes
Reefing Rules
Required Equipment
SPOT Setup and Usage
inReach Setup
WaterTribe Entrance Requirements
WaterTribe Skill Assessments
How to Setup A Lifejacket
Packing Lite
Packing for Seaworthiness