The Brixham Trawler Race

No gear allowed as fishing trawlers compete to tow the line together.

The Brixham Trawler Race is an annual event and run for charity. Up to fifty fishing vessels are dressed with bunting before declaring their top speed. Small day fishing boats and crabbers set off first before the big beamers. Fishing boats come from Plymouth, Weymouth, Dartmouth and Exmouth as well as some from the North East and Scotland. Beam Trawlers from as far a field as Holland, Belgium and France have also joined the race.

The race takes place in June and celebrates a long fisheries tradition. The modern race began in 1963 and sees the boats set off with the large beam trawlers last to go at around eleven o' clock. The race consists of two laps totalling fourteen miles from Berry Head to Hope's Nose in Tor Bay. After crossing the line in a spectacular show of unity times are calculated. Each class has a first, second, third and prizes donated by sponsors and trophies are won. Barbeques and beers round off the day on Brixham's quayside. Money raised goes to local charities including Brixham Fishermen's Mission. The Brixham Heritage Regatta held in May is another Torbay race of traditional sailing trawlers.