Our thanks to Suzanne and Alan for this latest report. Ed
For those who prefer their entertainment on shore during AAM Cowes Week here is a guide to some of the special events.
Of course all the usual entertainment is featured around Cowes with music and entertainment through the High Street, in Cowes Yacht Haven, on the Parade and in the grounds of Northwood House and do not forget Shepards Wharf.
Working with UKSA
Based in Cowes, UKSA, the charity which provides transformational opportunities to young people through sailing and watersports, is Aberdeen Asset Management Cowes Week’s official charity.
One of its key aims is to raise enough funds to offer every Year 6 primary school child on the Island (a total of 1,600 children) the opportunity to experience water-based sports with UKSA.
‘Open to all’ sessions
In an effort to reach their fund-raising target, UKSA is running a series of attractions including the ‘open to all’ sailing sessions, which offer an hour’s sailing tuition with UKSA instructors aboard one of its three keelboats each day between 9.30am and 6pm, for just £5.
Get your ‘Boss up a Mast’
The ‘Boss up a Mast’ fundraising spectacle, which is taking place this evening (Tuesday), is also likely to be a big hit.
UKSA will moor one of its Farr 65s in the Yacht Haven so that spectators can watch senior executives, locked into a Spinlock Mast-Pro harness, raised 100ft to the top of the mast.
The idea is that the boss can only come down once they have urged their contacts (via mobile phone) to pledge donations to UKSA. Visitors are also encouraged to #masterthemast. In return for a small donation, UKSA are offering the opportunity to climb the mast of Gipsy Moth IV, which will be moored in the Yacht Haven each day from 11.30am until 2pm.
Wednesday 6th August
In celebration of the 80th anniversary of the Victory Class, a ‘One Hour Victory’ race is being held with the start gun being fired at 17:30.
The one-design race is aimed at raising awareness of the growing fleet of Victory yachts which race out of Portsmouth and Gibraltar.
Good viewing can be had from the Green. Each Victory racing in this special anniversary race will have a crew provided by title sponsor, Aberdeen Asset Management, official Supporting Sponsors, Chatham Marine, Gill, Boss Watches, local letterbox, Mount Gay Rum, Volvo Car UK, official Suppliers, Solent Events, Britannia Corporate Events and official Charity, UKSA. After the race a prize-giving will be held on Cowes Parade at 19:00.
Thursday 7th August: ‘Ladies Day’
There are a variety of fun activities that take place on Ladies Day which include; Ladies Lunch with The Hambrough at Northwood House; on-the-water spot prizes awarded to female sailors and competitions with the Breeze FM on Cowes Parade throughout the day.
The official Mount Gay Rum Red Cap Party will take place from 18:00 at Shepards Wharf Marina. The first 500 people will receive a free Red Cap.
Friday 8th August
The RAF Typhoon Display Team will be demonstrating the outstanding performance of the Typhoon, thanks to support from Local Letterbox at 19.10.
Pulling +9 to -3.5G and flying at speeds of up to 600kts (690 mph), new manoeuvres such as the inverted ½ Cuban eight, a ‘dirty’ (with undercarriage down) barrel roll will be on show.
This will be followed at 19.30 by The Red Arrows now in their 50th display year.
Renowned throughout the world as ambassadors for both the Royal Air Force and the United Kingdom and recently featured in a TV documentary the Red Arrows will be flying over the Island for a second time following their recent display at the IW Festival in June.
And – do not miss the Fireworks at 21:30.
Image: Geoff Acton under CC BY 2.0
