News - 2012

09:00 Wednesday 27 Jun 2012 What's In-store Ashore at This Year's Aberdeen Asset Management Cowes Week

Photo: Ondeck/ Paul Wyeth

The excitement is building in the approach to Aberdeen Asset Management Cowes Week 2012 in this special “Best of British” year. Organisers are pleased to announce a varied programme of shore-side events and activities to complement the race schedule. Highlights include:

Family Day (Sunday 12 August)

Organisers are building on the success of last year’s first Family Day and a number of initiatives will be in place to help families get the most out of their time at the regatta. There will be a range of free and discounted activities.

Ladies Day (Thursday 16 August)

Celebrating women in sailing is the focus for Ladies Day, in recognition of the major successes of women in one of the few mainstream sports where men and women compete on equal terms.

Ladies Day also celebrates and recognises sporting prowess across a wider range of sports and, working in partnership with the Women's Sport and Fitness Foundation (WSFF) and the event's sponsors, a number of female achievers across a range of sports will come together at the regatta in celebration of Ladies Day.

Nominations are now being accepted for the Ladies Day Trophy here which recognises outstanding contribution, commitment, or achievement in sailing generally (not just at Aberdeen Asset Management Cowes Week).

“Best of British” Celebration Day (Friday 17 August)

Last month CWL was delighted to announce the involvement of Skandia Team GBR sailors at this year’s regatta. The team will be present on Friday 17 August, just one week after competing for Great Britain at the London 2012 Olympic Games. A full programme of activities for this day will shortly be announced.

Friday 17 August will culminate in the traditional fireworks display, taking place at 21:30. Thanks are extended to all those that have made a financial contribution to date. Donations can still be in order to safeguard future displays.

In addition to these highlights, Aberdeen Asset Management Cowes Week has a packed schedule throughout the entire week and details of the full entertainments line-up can be found here.

Spectator Options

Visitors can enjoy watching much of the racing from the shore in Cowes. Princes Green and The Parade are great places to view the action, and organisers are working towards a programme of close-to-shore exhibition racing during the Week which will be announced nearer to the event.

For those who would like to get afloat, bookings are open for the event spectator boat service which provides close views of the racing on hour-long round trips. Book-up online here or in person at the entrance to Trinity Landing during the event. Tickets are £5 for children up to 16 years old and £10 for adults. Special discounted family tickets are also available.

An exhilarating ride aboard a high speed Rigid Inflatable Powerboat is an option for the more adventurous, available from Ondeck through their ‘Rock up and RIB' programme. To book, call 01983 284300 or email uk@ondecksailing.com. You can also book online at: www.ondecksailing.com/cowes-week. 

This year, Elite Helicopters are also offering the chance to take to the skies for a pleasure flight with a range of helicopter flight options throughout the regatta. Visitors will be able to enjoy Aberdeen Asset Management Cowes Week from the air!

Unfortunately there will be no Red Arrows display at this year’s event; they will be out of the country for the duration of the regatta. However organisers are working to secure several aerial displays during the week and details will be published as soon as they are available.

Children’s Activities

For those attending the regatta and looking for activities to keep the children entertained, the UKSA offer a range of fun day activities throughout the event.

For just £49 per person for eight to sixteen year-olds a choice of exciting watersports including sailing, team building games, team challenges and a whole host of fun, instructor-led activities will be provided. Places are limited, so early booking is recommended. For further information regarding children's day sailing courses, contact Alix Berry (01983 203034) or Morgan Strange (01983 203001) at the UKSA.

Cowes Primary School is also providing day care facilities for four to eleven year-olds with options for just a morning or afternoon, or the whole day throughout the event. For further information, contact Julie Durno, Club Manager on 07511 709744.