Visit the Isle of Wight for oceans of summer fun

With three major sailing events taking place on the Isle of Wight from June through to September, there’s oceans of fun to be had both on and off the water this summer. Just about every British sailor, including Chay Blythe, learned the ropes on the Solent, a narrow stretch of water between the Isle of Wight and the south coast of England.

For those inspired to take the plunge, the Island’s pristine waters and mild climate is a great place to get started. Learn to sail packages and sailing-based activity holidays are available year round for all the family
(islandbreaks.co.uk/site/sports-and-outdoor-activities/sailing) while sea kayaking and canoe trips are also popular on the Island.

Cowes Week sponsors Skandia have a free scheme for beginners called ‘Try Sailing’ – sign-up on Cowes Parade and get on the water for an hour with a professional skipper. Teenagers will soon be making waves at the White Air Extreme Sports Festival where there’s the opportunity to ‘Have a Go’ at 18 sports including kitesurfing and windsurfing. Or simply sit back and enjoy the spectacle - just don’t forget your sun hat and binoculars!

JP Morgan Round the Island Yacht Race – 28 June 2008
With 1600 boats competing and over 13,000 competitors taking part in the 55-nautical mile course around the Isle of Wight, the JP Morgan Asset Management Round the Island Race (28 June, roundtheisland.org.uk) is the third largest participant event in the UK. Starting in Cowes, the fleet races westwards to The Needles, the Island’s most famous landmark, round St Catherine’s Point and on past Bembridge and back into the Solent.

The fleet then makes its way round No Man’s Land Fort and across Osborne Bay to the finish line back at Cowes. Spectators can enjoy the race from many vantage points, including The Parade at Cowes, the Needles Battery, St Catherine’s Lighthouse and Ryde Pier.

Skandia Cowes Week – 2 to 9 August 2008
Every year, the waters of the Solent play host to dozens of maritime events and sailing regattas the most famous of these being Skandia Cowes Week (2-9 August, skandiacowesweek.co.uk) which attracts entrants from true amateurs to Olympic and World champions. Over the course of the competition, there are 100,000 visitors to the Isle of Wight, made up of not only sailing enthusiasts, but people wishing to soak up the atmosphere of one of the world’s most exciting sailing events.

Always a great event for celebrity spotting, the introduction of a Ladies Day (Thursday 7 August) to celebrate women’s achievements in sailing has encouraged visits from some well-known TV and sports personalities including Davina McCall and Island-based sailor Dame Ellen MacArthur.

Free ‘Try Sailing’ sessions are available from Cowes seafront; later enjoy the live bands and the spectacular fireworks display on the Friday night (8 August).

White Air Extreme Sports Festival – 19 to 21 September 2008
You don’t have to go all the way to California for some decent surf. At White Air (19-21 September, whiteair.co.uk) you can get involved in the extreme sports action with ‘Have a Go’ taster sessions including surfing, windsurfing and kitesurfing.

Based on the seafront at Yaverland, near Sandown, the event attracts an international line-up of talent and top class competition is assured from the 500 competitors who’ll be making a big impression in a whole host of sports from the Thundercat European Championships to the Windsurfing UK Freestyle Championships.

The Red Arrows will be performing in the skies on both Saturday 20 and Sunday 21 September with the amazing RAF Falcons dropping in on Friday the 19th to kick-start the festival. Party on the beach at the Live Stage, which provides three days and two evenings of live groups and DJs. Tickets are available on-line: adult £7, youth £4. Children 7 and under admitted free with a full paying adult during the day.

The ‘Have a Go’ taster sessions can also be booked on-line at whiteair.co.uk and are available to anyone aged eight and over.

It’s simple to get to the Isle of Wight, there are up to 350 ferry crossings a day from Portsmouth, Southampton, Lymington and Southsea. Once you’re there it’s easy to get around, ferry routes connect directly with the Island’s road, rail and coach links.

For details on how to get to the Isle of Wight, where to stay, eat and drink, visit islandbreaks.co.uk.