Welcome to the Royal London Yacht ClubSocial Events 2025
We are looking forward to welcoming competitors, members, and guests to this year's Cowes Classics Regatta.
Cowes Classics Regatta is all about Corinthian racing of traditional yachts on several varied central Solent courses by day and fabulous social events ashore in the evening. You will find below details of the various social events planned for this year.
2025 sees a change to the format of the on-the-water activities and alongside this, we have refreshed the social programme. Our ever-popular post-racing tea and cake remains, as does the Kendalls Drinks Reception and Royal Yacht Squadron Drinks Reception after the final day of racing, where the final prize giving will also be held. The evening programme of suppers, BBQ and Regatta Dinner will this year be hosted at the Royal London clubhouse.
In addition to the evening programme, the clubhouse will be open daily. What better place for breakfast before racing or for those not on the water, to enjoy a delicious lunch and drinks, with wonderful views across the Solent?
His Honour Peter Ralls KC
Commodore
There is an online brochure supporting the regatta social programme.Socials Brochure
In addition to the social event programme summary table shown below there is a Social Events Brochure.
Bar and restaurant service at RLYC
The Royal London Yacht Club will be open for breakfast, morning coffee, lunch and drinks throughout the day.
- Breakfast served: 08:00 to 09:30.
- Morning Coffee and Pastries: 09:00 to 12:00 noon.
- Lunch: 12:30 to 14:30.
- Drawing Room Bar: Open until midnight - Real Island Ales available, featuring Tennyson, Vectis Venom and Atlantic IPA.
- Special Cowes Classics Regatta Offer - Double Dartmouth Gin & Tonic for £5.00
Free Events for Competitors
Each racing entry comes with a set number of wrist bands affording free entry to Friday’s Prize-giving and Dartmouth Gin Opening Drinks Reception and Saturday’s Prize-giving and Drinks Reception at Kendalls Fine Art Gallery (space permitting) and of course the famous tea and cake each day after racing. The number of wrist bands included is shown in the table below. If you need additional wrist bands for extra crew members or camp followers etc. they can be purchased online.
| Entry Classes | Number of free wrist bands allocated |
| XOD, Bembridge OD, Loch Long OD, Classic Dayboats, Flying Fifteen, Squib, Star, West Solent OD, Fife OD, 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 | 4 |
Dress Code
We have indicated the appropriate dress code for the various events listed below with the following interpretations;
- Casual - Courteous open choice which includes dry sailing rig (but no wet clothing please).
- Smart casual - Tailored trousers and shirts (no shorts, jeans or T-shirts).
Social & Event Programme Overview for 2025
Thursday 29 May 2025 |  | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| What | Where | When | Price | Dress |
| Event Registration - The Regatta Office can be found in the RLYC Arundel Room. | RLYC | 12:00 to 18:00 | n/a | Casual |
Pre Regatta Supper - Steak Night including a Welcome Dark 'n' Stormy held at the Royal London. Final bookings required by Monday 26th May 2025. * If booked after Friday 2nd May the price rises to £30.00. |
RLYC | 19:30 | £27.00* | Smart casual |
Friday 30 May 2025 - RACE DAY | | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| What | Where | When | Price | Dress |
| Signing On - Before attending the Regatta Office for their Race Pack, competitors must complete the Online Signing On form. | Online | Before 11:00 | n/a | n/a |
| Event Registration - The Regatta Office can be found in the RLYC Arundel Room. | RLYC | 08:00 to 11:00 | n/a | Casual |
| Competitors Race Briefing - Skippers briefing covering all fleets by Principal Race Officer Tim Hancock. | RLYC | 10:30 | Wristband | Casual |
| Race Day - Up to two starts for most classes except for Squibs who will have up to three starts (Victory and 6mR do not race today). | Solent | First Warning 12:25 | n/a | n/a |
| Post Racing Tea and Cake - Competitors enjoy tea and homemade cake after racing, served at the Royal London, when the bar is also open. | RLYC | 16:00 to 17:00 | Wristband | Casual |
| Dartmouth Gin Opening Drinks Reception and Day Prize Giving - Held at the Royal London and sponsored by the Dartmouth Distillery Company. | RLYC | 18:30 | Wristband | Smart casual |
| Regatta Welcome BBQ - With a welcome glass of Dartmouth Gin & Tonic held at the Royal London. Final bookings required by Tuesday 27th May 2025. * If booked after Friday 2nd May the price rises to £30.00. |
RLYC | 19:30 onwards | £27.00* | Smart casual |
Saturday 31 May 2025 - RACE DAY | | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| What | Where | When | Price | Dress |
| Event Registration - The Regatta Office can be flound in the RLYC Arundel Room. | RLYC | 08:00 to 11:00 | n/a | Casual |
| Race Day - Up to three starts for all classes. | Solent | First Warning 11:55 | n/a | n/a |
| Post Racing Tea and Cake - Competitors enjoy tea and homemade cake after racing, served at the Royal London, when the bar is also open. | RLYC | 16:00 to 17:00 | Wristband | Casual |
| Kendalls Fine Art Gallery Drinks Reception and Day Prize Giving - There are limited numbers at this very popular Kendalls Fine Art sponsored event, so even though it is free to wrist band holders, you will need to register in order to get on the entry list. |
Kendall's Fine Art Gallery | 18:30 | Wristband | Smart casual |
| Nyetimber Regatta Dinner - Beginning with a Nyetimber Classic Cuvée Reception at the Royal London with three delicious courses and half a bottle of wine per person. Final bookings required by Thursday 29th May 2025. * If booked after Friday 2nd May the price rises to £52.50. |
RLYC | 19:30 for 20:00 | £47.50* | Smart Casual |
Sunday 1 June 2025 - RACE DAY & CLASSICS DAY | | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| What | Where | When | Price | Dress |
| Race Day - Up to two starts for all classes. | Solent | No starts after 15:00 | n/a | n/a |
| Cowes Classics Day - Now in its 5th year is this display of Classic Cars on The Parade in front of RLYC, and also Classic Yachts and Motor Boats at the London & Trinity Landings and Royal Yacht Squadron Haven. Free to view, Classics Day is becoming a Cowes instution! | RLYC & RYS |
11:00 to 18:00 | FREE | n/a |
| Post Racing Tea and Cake - Competitors enjoy tea and homemade cake after racing, served at the Royal London, when the bar is also open. | RLYC | 16:00 to 17:00 | Wristband | Casual |
| Royal Yacht Squadron Drinks Reception and Regatta Prize Giving - The Regatta Prize-giving and La Bastille Cabernet Rosé Drinks Reception will be held at the lovely Royal Yacht Squadron Pavilion. Final bookings required by Thursday 29th May 2025. * If booked after Friday 2nd May the price rises to £19.50. |
RYS | 17:00 to 18:00 | £17.50* | Smart Casual |
| Survivors' Supper - Enjoy a two course buffet supper at the Royal London including a very welcome glass of Pimms to get you in the mood. Final bookings required by Thursday 29th May 2025. * If booked after Friday 2nd May the price rises to £30.00. |
RLYC | 18:30 | £27.00* | Smart Casual |
