Cowes Week Sailing Regatta August 1-8 2009

It’s time to dust off your sea legs for Cowes Week!  This famous sailing regatta has been a British tradition during the month of August since 1826 (with the exception of the World War years). 

It is one of the largest sailing regattas in the world, featuring up to 40 races each day for eight days, with more than 1,000 keeled boats of all types and sizes participating. The more than 8,000 competitors range from weekend sailors to Olympic and world class atheletes.  This video from 2008 Cowes Week should help to whet the appetite:

Cowes Week takes place in the waters of the Solent off Cowes Harbour on the north coast of the Isle of Wight, which is a few miles off the south coast of England.

A week of great sailing action as well as plenty of partying onshore is guaranteed.  There are formal balls, informal parties, and a huge firework display on the Friday evening.  There is a wide variety of fun for all – even landlubbers – with plenty of exciting spectator action watching the races, live entertainment, street entertainers, restaurants, shopping, art galleries, etc.  If you fancy yourself at the helm there are opportunities for an introduction to a racing experience on a real boat as well. 

Getting to Cowes is easy.  A number of ferry services run from the south coast of England across to the Isle of Wight.  The closest airports are the main London airports, as well as Bournemouth and Southampton

For more information visit the official Cowes Week website.