Keelboat Regatta in Cowes
We are hosting a keelboat regatta at the Island Sailing Club in Cowes. This weekend will include training and practice races followed by a regatta. May the best crew win!
When & where will it be held?
This will be on the 18th and 19th of October 2025. You will need to be at the Island Sailing Club in Cowes by 10.30am and the event will finish late afternoon on the Sunday. The racing will be on the Solent around the Isle of Wight.
What are the boats?
The boats are called Sonars. They are a keelboat that we will crew with 4 people per boat. They have symmetric spinnakers and a spinnaker pole which may be a new challenge depending on your sailing experience.
What is the Itinerary?
Saturday
- Meet at Island Sailing on Saturday morning at 10.30AM for introductions and safety briefing
- Form initial crews and get on the water by 11.30AM
- Coaching and learning the boats until 1.30pm
- Lunch 1.30pm to 2.30pm
- Practice Races 2.30pm to 5pm
- Debrief with Coaches and finalise race crews until 6.30pm
- Dinner and fun in Cowes 7pm onwards
Sunday
- Meet at Island Sailing on Saturday morning at 10.00AM for preparation
- On the water and practice 11am
- First races 11am-12.30pm
- Lunch 12.30pm-1.30pm
- Afternoon races 1.30pm to 3.30pm
- Awards Ceremony 3.30pm to 4.30pm (protest hearings if required)
- Heading home
The above is subject to change as further details are finalised with Island Sailing Club.
What kind of racing?
We will be doing short races, 5 to 6 a day. They will mostly be windward leeward raced with legs no longer than 0.5 of a mile. Island Sailing Club will provide a race committee.
How do I get there?
The Red Jet ferry is the best way of getting to this part of Cowes which leaves from Southampton. If you are catching the train you can set "West Cowes" as the destination and the ferry will be included in your rail ticket
What do I need to bring?
You can wear either clothes that you would for offshore sailing or for dinghy sailing. Because these are keelboats you should not capsize, but they are small boats and the risk of falling in the water is still there. Island Sailng Club will provide life jackets and safety packs.
What experience do I need?
We will make sure that we balance the experience of the crews as evenly as we can so we are able to accommodate novice racers through to veterans. If you have experience sailing or racing a dinghy that will be an added benefit, especially if you have sailed under spinnakers before. An understanding of the key Racing Rules of Sailing is also a benefit.
What does it cost?
£170 per person. This includes the costs for hiring the boats and organising the racing. This excludes food, travel, and accommodation.
By booking onto this event you are confirming you have read, understood and accepted the Offshore Terms and Conditions. A reminder that for all race events, the security deposit liability will be £200 per crew member
CAVEAT: Due to the timeframe, it will be necessary to secure a replacement to process any refunds related to withdrawals.
Last updated 9:51pm on 17 October 2025