Join the Solent platinum jubilee celebration this August

In celebration of The Queen’s platinum jubilee, a showcase of the Solent’s boating community and historic ships will set sail on the waters off the Isle of Wight on Saturday 6 August.

A committee of sailing organisations, class associations and clubs from across the Solent region is organising the event, which will immediately follow this year’s Cowes Week.

Local yacht and sailing clubs are still welcome to join by emailing mail@rys.org.uk as soon as possible. All boats, from RIBs to sailing and motor vessels, can register with their own yacht club to be part of the official programme being held at Cowes.

The Royal Jubilee event will feature more than 400 boats from sailing clubs and organisations in the Solent region which will be reviewed by VIPs in a motor-past, before racing off Bramble Bank.

Moored off The Green at Cowes, the line-up of historic ships will include four Dunkirk Little Ships – Tahilla, Papillon, Maimonide and Naiad Errant; two historic yachts – Gipsy Moth IV and Suhaili; and sail training vessels Scaramouche and a 72ft/22m Challenger.

Also present will be Dragon Bluebottle which was presented to The Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh as a wedding present by The Island Sailing Club. It has been restored and will have been racing throughout Cowes Week.

In addition to the Solent racing programme, a Silver Spitfire air display will be performed courtesy of the Spitfire Academy at Goodwood.

Later in the day, music and entertainment will be provided at a free concert at Cowes Yacht Haven. Headline acts are to be announced.

Hampshire yachtsman Geoff Holt MBE, founder of the Wetwheels charity and a member of the organising committee, says: “The Solent Platinum Jubilee event is shaping up to be a memorable ‘once in a lifetime’ celebration, bringing the Solent’s sailing and yachting community together to celebrate our Queen’s 70 years on the throne.

“It’s not too late to join in the celebrations – just get in touch, we will be pleased to welcome you.

“Members of the Royal Family continue to give wonderful support to many local yacht clubs and charities in the Solent and they have been a common sight at yachting events for decades, so we are delighted to hold this event in honour of Her Majesty The Queen.”

The Solent Platinum Jubilee event supports Wetwheels as its chosen charity. Proceeds will provide opportunities for disabled people to access the sea in a safe, stimulating and rewarding way on board the charity’s fully accessible powerboats.

Wetwheels recently held its first ‘barrier-free’ boating weekend, helping nearly 100 disabled sailors get out on to the water.

Headquartered in Portsmouth, Wetwheels also has locations in Cornwall, Kent, Yorkshire, and Jersey. All the foundation’s boats from around the UK will return to the Solent for the Jubilee event, enabling VIPs from across the region to review the spectacle from the water.

“This very special day will be packed with fun and action on and offshore for members of the Solent yachting and boating community to enjoy,” says chair of the organising committee, Jonathan Nainby-Luxmoore. “Register your interest if you haven’t already done so, and please show your support for our chosen charity Wetwheels.”

Find out more about the event on the Solent Platinum Jubilee Facebook page.