Yacht and Sailing Clubs

Sailing and racing are words that are synonymous with Cowes and this reputation is largely based on the activities of the various sailing and yacht clubs that have bases in Cowes and East Cowes.

Royal Yacht Squadron

Founded in 1815, the Royal Yacht Squadron is one of the oldest and most prestigious yacht clubs in the world. The qualification entitling a gentleman to become a member was the ownership of a vessel not under 10 tons! Today this is interpreted as a gentleman “actively interested in yachting”. Over the years it has had many distinguished members and since 1948, lady members as well.

The clubhouse is the iconic Cowes Castle Castle building at the westward end of The Parade near The Green which was built in 1539 as part of Henry VIII’s chain of coastal defences, protecting the Island from invasion.

The Club has an active racing and cruising programme and hosts many yachts races from its famous start line.

Royal Corinthian Yacht Club

The Royal Corinthian Yacht Club (RCYC) was founded in 1872 at Erith on the River Thames. It subsequently moved to Burnham-on-Crouch and established a ‘southern’ branch in Cowes in 1948. Since 1992 the RCYC has owned the elegant clubhouse set in a unique setting and gardens off The Parade in Cowes.

Racing is run on a regular basis for a variety of classes including Darings, International Dragons, Etchells, Quarter Tonners and X One Designs.

The Club continues to build its reputation for hospitality by hosting some of the best parties, as well as the most exciting regattas, and serving some of the best food and wine to be had in Cowes.

The famous Royal Corinthian barbecue seems to run all summer and, while there is usually a throng of eaters and drinkers enjoying the view from the terrace across the Solent, there is always room for more.

Royal London Yacht Club

The Royal London Yacht Club (RLYC) is housed in an elegant pair of Georgian houses on The Parade and its balcony has one of the best views across the Solent.

The Club prides itself on its sailing and social events, providing members with excellent facilities, accommodation and catering, with the highlight being the RLYC Cowes Week Ball.

The RLYC celebrates its 175th anniversary in 2013, continuing the Club’s long history in British yachting, its members having ranked among the most colourful personalities in the yachting scene, so look out for the Club’s anniversary regatta in August.

Island Sailing Club

With more than 2,500 members the Island Sailing Club (ISC) is the largest club on the Isle of Wight and one of the biggest in the UK. The Island Sailing Club plays a leading role in the Cowes sailing season and is best known for organising the famous J.P. Morgan Asset Management Round the Island Race.

The Club owns a fleet of nine identical Sonar dayboats which are available for hire and has a landing pontoon immediately to the south of The Parade. The ISC Tuesday Evening Series throughout the summer is always popular.

Cowes Corinthian Yacht Club

Cowes Corinthian Yacht Club (CCYC) is situated in Birmingham Road, just south of the harbour entrance, and was founded in 1952 by the late “Tiny” Mitchell as a club for local sailors.

CCYC has evolved largely through the voluntary labours of its members to become a popular venue for both racing and cruising yachtsmen. It is the only club in Cowes that can provide marina berths and shoreside boat storage facilities to its members. It has an open, relaxed and very friendly atmosphere.

The Club is also home to Cowes Sailability Club whose aim is to provide activities afloat for people with disabilities.

Royal Thames Yacht Club

Founded in 1775 as the Cumberland Fleet, the Royal Thames Yacht Club is the oldest continuously operating yacht club in the world offering unobtrusive excellence in every aspect of Club life.

The Royal Thames clubhouse is very conveniently located at 60 Knightsbridge, London, with views over Hyde Park from its fine dining restaurant. In Cowes, the Royal Thames operates primarily with and from the Royal London Yacht Club. The Royal Thames is involved in a wide range of yachting events for both the cruising and racing yachtsman, motor yacht owners and all those interested in the sea.

Royal Ocean Racing Club

The Royal Ocean Racing Club (RORC) was founded in 1925 in Plymouth following the first Fastnet Race, the 45th edition of which is set to take place on 11 August 2013.

With over 3,300 members around the world, the RORC is one of the largest offshore racing clubs and is a national authority for the measurement and rating of offshore yachts.

Based in the heart of London, members of the RORC enjoy elegant accommodation and hospitality at the clubhouse in St James's Place, while the RORC also retains an office at the Disrespect in the High Street, Cowes.

In 2013 the RORC will run a full season of inshore regattas and cross-Channel offshore races, many beginning in Cowes and to destinations including Guernsey and St Malo.

East Cowes Sailing Club

East Cowes Sailing Club (ECSC) has a mainly local membership and is located off Clarence Road, East Cowes, near the Victoria Tavern Pub.The Club runs the popular Thursday evening racing throughout the season, using a start/finish line off the Shrape and also the well-established ‘Sail The Wight’ charity race/cruise, raising money in aid of the Island Hospice.

Membership and storage fees are very competitive and the Club caters for a wide range of boating activities. ECSC occupies river frontage with storage sheds, yard and clubhouse. On the water, the Clubs facilities include a number of small boat moorings, a walk ashore pontoon with finger berths for resident boats and a deep water visitors’ berth. The Club also has a dinghy park on East Cowes Esplanade.

Gurnard Sailing Club

Gurnard Sailing Club lies on the shores of Gurnard Bay, a mile or so west of Cowes. The Club was formed in 1931 and is the Island’s premier dinghy club. It has excellent clubhouse facilities, a full sailing, social and training calendar, and hosts the popular Cowes Dinghy Week.

The racing area is set either within Gurnard Bay for the smaller dinghies or the exciting waters of the western Solent for fast reaching and Olympic courses. The tides are strong and provide challenging conditions which makes for first-class sailing.