Our newcomers' FAQ answers some of the basic questions about Cowes Week. Please contact us if there's anything missing or you require more details.

What exactly is Cowes Week?

Cowes Week is one of the longest running events in UK sporting history having first taken place in 1826. It is an iconic British sporting event and one of the longest running and best-known sailing regattas in the world. The event lasts for eight days and takes place each August in the Solent waters off Cowes in the United Kingdom. 

How many boats take part?

Around 1,000 keelboats. The boats - which range from high-tech racing machines to classic day boats - are split into up to 40 classes which race on each of the eight days.

Is it just for professionals?

Not at all. The event is open to everyone with amateur sailors competing alongside Olympic and World Champions. The eight-day racing programme encompasses people from all walks of life, of all ages and abilities and with a range of boats as diverse as the crews participating.

And how many people?

Around 8,500 sailors race every day, plus there are over 100,000 visitors who flock to Cowes watch the sailing, enjoy the parties and live entertainment, and experience the unique atmosphere which makes Cowes Week so special.

What type of racing is it?

The sheltered waters and unusual tidal conditions of the Solent make for some interesting and challenging sailing for competitors. The majority of classes start and finish on the Royal Yacht Squadron line and sail varied 'round-the-cans' courses designed to suit the style of boat and prevailing wind and tide conditions on each day. A number of classes also sail courses from a committee boat start on certain days - a feature which is becoming increasingly popular. 

Certainly, with 1000 boats sailing some 30-odd different courses in one of the busiest commercial stretches of water in the world, racing at Cowes is never dull!

I don't have a boat - is it worth coming along?

Absolutely! The Cowes Week Crew Forum is a great way for sailors of mixed abilities to make themselves known as available crew to the competing boats. Many a keen sailor has found a great opportunity to crew during Cowes Week by posting their details on the site.

If you’d like to simply enjoy the spectacle, visitors can enjoy a unique opportunity to see the yachts at close quarters on the Solent waters. The variety of weather and sea conditions found in the Solent combined with the fickle tides makes for some very exciting racing - and spectating. The majority of classes start and finish on the Royal Yacht Squadron line while, just to the West, The Green offers a panoramic viewing platform of the yachts cheating the tide as they battle their way to the finish.

So what else happens other than the racing?

Cowes provides excellent facilities for the sailor and non sailor alike, with plenty of pubs, bars, restaurants and cafes to choose from. Cowes Parade, Cowes Yacht Haven, East Cowes Marina and Shepards Wharf Marina also provide entertainment, food and bars as well as berthing (but book early as competition for berths is fierce).

There's a lively social programme ranging from the renowned Yacht Club Balls to an excellent line-up of live bands performing across the various bar areas; there's also a superb choice of cuisine available to suit every palate. The atmosphere on shore is carnival-like with plenty of open-air activities and street entertainment.

If you are not planning to sail there is plenty to do during the day as well as at night, and the High Street is a good place to start with a wide choice of chandleries, art galleries, antiques, clothing/leisurewear and gift shops and plenty more. You can enjoy street theatre every afternoon on the Parade and in the High Street while the spectacular firework display on the Friday evening -  watched by tens of thousands of people from the shore and from hundreds of boats off the Parade and sea front - is an unmissable highlight of the week.

More information on Cowes, accommodation, berthing and getting there can be found in our Shore-side section.

How long has the event been running?

Cowes Week is the longest-running annual sailing regatta in the world. It first took place in 1826 and has been held in August every year since then (except during the two world wars). The regatta has been part of the British summer social calendar for many years and is traditionally held after Goodwood and before the start of the grouse shooting season. Over the years the regatta has been visited by royalty and other world-famous personalities as well as naval warships, superyachts and square-riggers.

Who organises the racing?

Cowes Combined Clubs was formed in 1964 to co-ordinate the racing previously run the individual Cowes and mainland yacht clubs. Each of the member Clubs (Royal Thames YC, Royal London YC, Royal Southampton YC, Royal Yacht Squadron, Cowes Town Regatta, Island Sailing Club, Royal Southern YC, Royal Corinthian YC and the Royal Ocean Racing Club) plays an active role in running the racing during the event while the overall coordination is handled by the Chief Executive and staff of the Cowes Week Ltd organisation.

I'd like to enter my boat. What do I do?

The Notice of Regatta is available to download in March/April together with the online entry form for competitors.

I'm keen to explore sponsorship opportunities. Can you tell me more?

Cowes Week is an undeniably unique event and enjoys a strong national and international profile. This ensures that it is well positioned to support brand building activities of sponsors in a highly effective way. Cowes Week offers a distinct opportunity for sponsorship as it attracts around 300 international media as well as drawing around 8,500 participants and more than 100,000 spectators to Cowes. Simply contact Michelle Warner for further information on how to get involved. In addition, Days Out opportunities for both corporate guests and individuals are extensive both on and off the water and you can read more about this here.