The Blackwater Sailing Club (BSC) is proud to announce that two of its outstanding cadets Austin Edwards and Stanley Johnson have been awarded the highly respected East Anglian Maritime Awards (EAMA) Certificates of Excellence.  Now in its third year, the awards are a unique opportunity to recognise the achievement of young people who participate in maritime activities.

The Blackwater Sailing Club also had the honour of hosting the EAMA awards ceremony on 12 November welcoming young people and their families as well as distinguished guests and representatives from across the region and was delighted to provide a fitting venue to celebrate all the achievements.

What started as a love for kayaking and paddleboarding for Austin Edwards soon turned into a full-blown passion for sailing.  Learning at age 10 he hasn’t looked back and is now racing in ILCA 6 at national competitions and the UK’s top sailing venues including Weymouth and Portland Sailing Academy.  He thrives on challenge, strategy and the thrill of speed on the water. With ambitions to become a dinghy instructor and work in the maritime sector, Austin is charting an exciting course towards a future built on passion, perseverance and adventure.

Stanley Johnson’s family has a long history with the BSC as his great grandparents were members, so he’s spent much time on the water including a month aged 4 cruising around France with his grandparents. As a cadet aged 8, he progressed rapidly from an Optimist, even though vowed never to sail again after a scary first day training, to Topper and now racing and winning awards in his ILCA6. Stanley enjoyed a week’s work experience at the Club helping the Stewards with moorings, rib maintenance, cleaning changing rooms and maintaining the boat park giving him valuable insight into the challenges off the water; with the independence, confidence and sense of achievement he has gained from sailing, he is on a good course for a bright future. 

Joe Bird, Rear Commodore Blackwater Sailing Club said: “Many congratulations to Austin and Stanley. These awards, with their broad and inclusive criteria aim to recognise those who show commitment, community spirit and enthusiasm for maritime activity and I’m delighted to see that our Cadets’ achievements have been recognised through this important regional initiative.”

The East Anglian Maritime Awards celebrate young people who make a meaningful contribution to the water environment whether it’s in sailing, conservation, engineering, boatbuilding, volunteering, lifeguarding and wider maritime community life. The awards are given in four categories - conservation, proficiency, resilience, and water safety and focus on improving life chances, increasing confidence, raising aspirations and strengthening local communities through voluntary and community participation.

EAMA chairman, retired Rear Admiral and Vice Lord Lieutenant of Essex Roy Clare, gave a warm welcome at the Award Ceremony whilst Mrs Jenny Tolhurst, The Lord-Lieutenant of Essex highlighted the importance of maritime excellence in the County and presented the Awards.