The social events at Cowes Classics Week are an integral part of the week, much enjoyed by competitors, who are able to spend quality time in the company of like-minded sailors and classic boat enthusiasts. The full programe can be found further down this page
Social Event Brochure
For your convenience a downloadable brochure with details of the social events to be held during 2023 Cowes Classics Week can be downloaded here.
Bar and restaurant service at the Royal London Yacht Club
RLYC will be open for breakfast, morning coffee, lunch and drinks throughout each day of Cowes Classics Week.
- Drawing Room and Balcony - Daytime Saturday 8 July to Friday 14 July.
- Breakfast served: 08:00 to 09:30 (Ground Floor Dining Room Only)
- Morning Coffee and Pastries: 09:00 to 12:00 noon.
- Lunch: 12:30 to 15:30.
- Drawing Room Bar: Open until midnight - Real Island Ales available, featuring Tennyson, Vectis Venom and Atlantic IPA.
Free Events for Competitors
Each racing entry comes with a set number of wrist bands affording free entry to the daily prize giving drinks receptions and of course the famous CCW tea and cake after racing. The number of wrist bands included in your entry is shown in the table below. If you need any additional wrist bands for extra crew members or camp followers etc. then they can be purchased onlne at £40 per person.
| Entry Classes | Number of free wrist bands allocated |
| XOD, Bembridge OD, Loch Long OD, Classic Dayboats, Flying Fifteen, Squib, Star, Tempest, Victory | 3 |
| Bembridge/Classic Redwing, Solent Sunbeam, Soling, Swallow | 3 |
| Dragon, Classic yachts, Old Gaffers & Spirit of Tradition yachts less than 30’ LOA | 4 |
| Daring, Classic yachts, Classic S&S yachts, Old Gaffers & Spirit of Tradition yachts 30’ LOA and over | 4 |
| 6 Metre | 5 |
| 8 Metre | 7 |
Evelyn Partners Tea & Cake
Competitors can enjoy free tea and delicious homemade cake Monday to Thursday after racing. Served at The Royal London Yacht Club, where the bar is also open. In the event of an extended racing postponment, post racing tea and cakes may be replaced by coffee and cake before the racing. Dress: Drysailing or casual attire.
Free Prize Giving Receptions
Regatta entries include a number of tickets to the following receptions (competitors are issued with wrist bands which are effectively your entry ticket to these events). We are deeply indebted to our sponsors who make it possible for us to lay on these free receptions.
Book Before Dates
Ticket sales for the events will close a few days before the regatta. Please make your booking before this date (see the brochure and the summary table below). Online social ticket sales and enquiries will in any event move at noon on Friday 7 July 2023 to the RLYC office, but there will be only limited availability to book events during the regatta.
Please also note that online booking will not work when using a mobile device such as a smart phone. There is a system upgrade in progress which will fix this shortcoming, but for now please use your desktop/laptop PC or Apple Mac.
Dress Code
We have indicated the appropriate dress code for the various events listed below with the following interpretations;
- Reefer - Jacket and tie for gentlemen; appropriate formal wear for ladies.
- Smart casual - Tailored trousers and shirts (no shorts, jeans or T-shirts).
- Casual - Courteous open choice which includes dry sailing rig (but no wet clothing please).
Social & Event Programme Overview for 2023
We shall endeavour to ensure that the following Social Programme Overview reflects the current position.
Saturday 8 July 2023 |  | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| What | Where | When | Price | Dress |
| Event Registration | RLYC | 10:00 to 17:00 | Free | Open |
Sunday 9 July 2023 - CLASSICS DAY | | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| What | Where | When | Price | Dress |
| Event Registration | RLYC | 10:00 to 17:00 | Entry | Open |
| Cowes Classics Day - Classic Yachts and Motor Boats display at the London and Trinity Landings, and Royal Yacht Squadron Haven. | RLYC & RYS |
11:00 to 18:00 | Information here | n/a |
| Cowes Classics Day - Classic Cars display on The Parade, Cowes. | RLYC | 11:00 to 18:00 | Free | n/a |
| Classics Day Afternoon Tea - Afternoon Tea at the Royal London Yacht Club (pre-booking required). | RLYC | 15:00 to 17:00 | £19.50 | Casual |
| All Competitors Race & Safety Briefing - At least one representative from each boat should attend. | RLYC | 18:00 | Entry | Casual |
| Welcome Reception - For all competitors. Kindly sponsored by Mermaid Gin. | RLYC | 19:00 | Entry | Casual |
Cowes Classics Week BBQ - This new BBQ event features Charred Chicken Tikka Breast, Peppered Ribeye Steak, Locally made Sausages and lots of sides followed by a Cheeseboard. Final bookings required by 17:00 on Friday 5 July 2023. |
RLYC | 20:00 | £34.50 | Smart casual |
Monday 10 July 2023 - RACE DAY | | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| What | Where | When | Price | Dress |
| Event Registration | RLYC | 08:00 to 10:00 | Entry | Casual |
| Warning Signal Race 1 - Classic Yachts, Spirit of Tradition & Old Gaffer Classes. | RLYC Shoreline | From 10:30 | Entry | n/a |
| First Warning Signal Race Day 1 - Classic Dayboat and Metre Classes. | Committee Boats | From 10:30 | Entry | n/a |
| Evelyn Partners Tea and Cake sponsored by Evelyn Partners. | RLYC | After racing | Entry | Casual |
| Daily Prizegiving and Drinks Reception at the Cowes Classic Boat Museum. | Cowes Classic Boat Museum | 18:00 | Entry | Casual |
| Hog Roast at Cowes Corinthian - Likely to sell out fast so book early. Includes live entertainment from Elvis impersonator Craig Jefferson presenting his show 'Viva Cowes Classics' from 21:30. Final bookings required by 7 July 2023. |
Cowes Corinthian YC | 19:00 for 19:30 | £39.00 | Casual |
| Cowes Corinthian Entertainment Only - If you just want to enjoy the Elvis show then these are the entertainment-only tickets you need - entry to Cowes Corinthian is strictly after 21:00 with the performance scheduled to begin 21:30. |
Cowes Corinthian YC | 21-00 for 21:30 | £12.00 | Casual |
| Club Supper - an alternative to the hog roast is this supper, titled 'A Taste of the Sea' and served in the London Room at RLYC. Final bookings required by 7 July 2023. |
RLYC | 20:00 | £39.50 | Smart Casual |
Tuesday 11 July 2023 - RACE DAY | | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| What | Where | When | Price | Dress |
| Warning Signal Race 2 - Classic Yachts, Spirit of Tradition & Old Gaffer Classes. | RLYC Shoreline | From 10:30 | Entry | n/a |
| First Warning Signal Race Day 2 - Classic Dayboats & Metre Classes. | Committee Boats | From 10:30 | Entry | n/a |
| Evelyn Partners Tea and Cake sponsored by Evelyn Partners. | RLYC | After Racing | Entry | Casual |
| Drinks Reception and Day Prize Giving - Held at the Royal Ocean Racing Club decking. | RORC | 18:00 | Entry | Smart Casual |
| Pie Night at the Royal Victoria Yacht Club - 18:30 Jenny M departs from Trinity Landing 22:30 Coach departs from RVYC. Ticket price includes transport. Final bookings required by 6 July 2023. |
RVYC | 18:30 departure from Trinity Landing | £42.00 | Casual |
| Mexican Fiesta at the Royal Ocean Racing Club - Final bookings required by 9 July 2023. |
RORC | 20:00 | £35.50 | Casual |
Wednesday 12 July 2023 - RACE DAY | | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| What | Where | When | Price | Dress |
| Warning Signal Race 3 - Classic Yachts, Spirit of Tradition & Old Gaffer Classes. | RLYC Shoreline | From 10:30 | Entry | n/a |
| First Warning Signal Race Day 3 - Classic Dayboats & Metre Classes. | Committee Boats | From 10:30 | Entry | n/a |
| Evelyn Partners Tea and Cake sponsored by Evelyn Partners. | RLYC | After Racing | Entry | Casual |
| Kendalls Fine Art Gallery Drinks Reception. There are limited numbers at this very popular Kendalls Fine Art sponsored event so you need to reserve your free tickets. This fills up quickly so do not delay. Limited tickets available to wrist band holders only. |
Kendall's Fine Art Gallery | 18:00 | Entry | Smart Casual |
| Island Sailing Club Double Decker Supper - Rooftop Marquee Italian Buffet. Final bookings required by 11 July 2023. |
Island Sailing Club | 20:00 | £39.00 | Casual |
| Island Sailing Club Double Decker Supper - ISC Dining Room Carvery. Final bookings required by 11 July 2023. |
£33.00 | |||
Thursday 13 July 2023 - RACE DAY | | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| What | Where | When | Price | Dress |
| Warning Signal Race 4 - Classic Yachts, Spirit of Tradition & Old Gaffer Classes. | RLYC Shoreline | From 10:30 | Entry | n/a |
| First Warning Signal Race Day 4 - Classic Dayboats & Metre Classes. | Committee Boats | From 10:30 | Entry | n/a |
| Evelyn Partners Tea and Cake sponsored by Evelyn Partners. | RLYC | After Racing | Entry | Casual |
| Drinks Reception and Day Prize Giving - FREE TO COMPETITORS BUT REGISTRATION REQUIRED - Held at the lovely Royal Yacht Squadron Pavillion. Please note that as the regatta does not currently have a sponsor for the RYS drinks reception we need to properly understand the numbers attending, so there will be an entry list - to get on the list please register for free. |
RYS | 19:00 | Entry | Reefer |
| If you wish to purchase additional tickets for the Royal Yacht Squadron event over and above the free allocation with your race entry, these are available online. |
£22.50 | |||
| Regatta Dinner - Everybody scrubs up for this prestigious yet unrestrained dinner held in the London Room at RLYC. Price includes half a bottle of premium wine. Final bookings required by 10 July 2023. |
RLYC | 20:00 | £75.00 | Reefer |
Friday 14 July 2023 - THE FINAL RACE DAY | | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| What | Where | When | Price | Dress |
| Warning Signal Race 5 - Classic Yachts, Spirit of Tradition & Old Gaffer Classes. | RLYC Shoreline | From 10:30 | Entry | n/a |
| First Warning Signal Race Day 5 - Classic Dayboats & Metre Classes. | Committee Boats | From 10:30 | Entry | n/a |
| Evelyn Partners Regatta Prize Giving - With Drinks Reception and High Tea sponsored by Evelyn Partners. | RLYC | After Racing | Entry | Casual |
| Survivors Supper Curry Buffet - A great way to wind down after the event. Final bookings required by 12 July 2023. |
RLYC | 20:00 | £27.50 | Casual |
