The Junior Exchange Sailing Scheme (JESS) programme was a unique annual event which offered young yachtsmen and women the opportunity to not only improve their skills as sailors but to develop their character and leadership qualities. From 1988 until 2016 around 160 young sailors participated in JESS. Royal Freshwater Bay Yacht Club was proud to continue the original concept which was the brainchild of the Coaching Co-ordinator of the time, Huck Scott.

His plan outlined an opportunity for young sailors to embark on a journey that would provide them with not only an enjoyable experience but an environment to develop valuable personal skills and lifelong friends.
 

The JESS Experience is demanding on the sailors, clubs, parents, and team leaders, but the rewards are rich. The experience for the sailors is a once in a lifetime event.

To honour the history of JESS, RFBYC have named this annual match racing event the JESS Match Cup. The inaugural event was 22 to 24 January 2018. 

This will be the fifth time RFBYC will run the event and this year will form part of the 2024 State Youth Keelboat Championship.

The State Youth Keelboat Championships and JESS Match Cup will be a combined event held on Sunday, 21 January 2024.  The State Youth Keelboat Championships will be made up of a series of fleet races to be held in the morning followed my match racing in the afternoon for the JESS Match Cup.