Aberdeen Asset Management Cowes Week
Aberdeen Asset Management Cowes Week (6-13 August) is one of the longest-running events in UK sporting history. The sailing regatta first took place in 1826 when a fleet of seven boats lined up on the start line.
Due to Royal patronage, it became a fixture in the English Summer Season and this established its traditional dates which fit between Goodwood and the start of the grouse shooting season (although the dates are altered occasionally to fit with the tides and in 2012 the dates have been moved to fit around the Olympics).
Aberdeen Asset Management Cowes Week today attracts around 1,000 boats and is the world's best-known sailing regatta. 
100 year old wooden dayboats share the Solent with ultra-modern machines made of carbon fibre and small dayboats race alongside maxi yachts.
The range of experience across the 8,500 competing crews is equally varied with world and Olympic champions racing against amateur weekend sailors.
The festival atmosphere and social scene at the event bring over 100,000 spectators who come to watch the sailing, enjoy the parties and live entertainment, and experience the unique atmosphere.
Aberdeen Asset Management Cowes Week is free to attend as a spectator, and much of the racing can be enjoyed from the shore.
Where's the best place to watch on shore? Which races can you watch from the shore?
The best location to watch the starts ashore is undoubtedly the area between the Castle of the Royal Yacht Squadron and the cannons - beware of the loud bangs with each race being started under cannon fire!
Here you can see who got the best start and which boats were over the line. You can also hear the race officers giving their countdowns and calling the starts from the Royal Yacht Squadron battlements.
There is a race start every 5 minutes from 10:30am until around 1pm and the official Racing Guide provides information on each class to help identify the various boats.
The racing can also be enjoyed from close quarters aboard a spectator boat. Details are available at www.aamcowesweek.co.uk.
Where to go for a beer to bump into Ellen McArthur (and other celebs)
Many sports personalities and celebrities enjoy the competitive race action at the event although often this is done in a private capacity with little or no fanfare.
However, it does mean that there is a strong likelihood of rubbing shoulders with famous people at any of the bars and pubs in Cowes after racing.
Every evening of the event is lively with a strong "après-sail" element.
The pubs throughout Cowes overspill onto the streets and the official venues that are established just for the event at Cowes Parade, Cowes Yacht Haven and the crew enclosure at Shepards Wharf Marina are vibrant with live music and entertainment throughout each evening.
How do I get on board a competition boat?
You don't need to be a professional sailor to race at Aberdeen Asset Management Cowes Week. 
If you have some sailing experience and would like to join the 1,000 boat fleet, there are many ways to get involved.
The event Crew Forum is a way for sailors to secure a position on one of the competing boats. Simply visit the event website to register your details and view some of the available positions.
If you have less experience, both Sunsail and Ondeck have their own dedicated classes racing and offer places for sailors of any ability on professionally skippered boats.
The popular "Rock up and Race" programme run by Ondeck also means that you can turn up on-spec at the regatta and go racing for the day (although booking is recommended).
Recognising the increasing trend towards boat charter as a cost-effective way of getting afloat, charter companies can help you if you have a crew but no boat.
Visitors to Aberdeen Asset Management Cowes Week can "Rock up and RIB" and enjoy an exhilarating ride on-board a high speed Rigid Inflatable Powerboat. Details on RIB's available for charter can be found here.
Entertainment at Cowes includes both traditional favourites and exciting new developments.
Excitement is building in the final approach to Aberdeen Asset Management Cowes Week and, with little more than a week to go, organisers are pleased to confirm the full shore-side and entertainment schedule. In addition to the traditional favourites, there are several new and exciting developments too.
Highlights for this year include:
The return of the Red Arrows - Saturday 6 August
The sensational Red Arrows will perform their jaw-dropping display at 19:30 on Saturday 6 August (the first Saturday of the event). The Red Arrows are pleased to make a return to the skies above Cowes after a disappointment in 2010 when the display had to be cancelled due to poor weather and visibility.
A day for the whole family - Sunday 7 August
To help parents and children get the most out of their time at the regatta, a range of family-friendly activities and group offers have been introduced exclusively for Family Day which will take place, for the first time, on Sunday 7 August.
The special free events include:
- A children’s flag-making competition (11am – 2pm) in the Ondeck VIP area at Cowes Yacht Haven.
- Viewings aboard the iconic Gipsy Moth IV off Trinity Landing (11am – 2pm).
- Viewing aboard the Sea Cadets training ship, TS John Jerwood, off Trinity Landing (1pm – 5pm)
- Remote-controlled model-boat racing (5pm – 7pm) off Trinity Landing, Cowes Parade.
- A village fete throughout the day at Northwood Park.
- "Wonders of the Universe" stargazing evening courtesy of the Islands own astronomer (9.30pm – 10.30pm). Arrive from 7pm for canapés and cocktails from the pay bar at Northwood House.
- Spot prizes awarded on the water to families racing together, courtesy of Liz Earle Naturally Active Skincare and Bainbridge International.
In addition, hour-long sailing lessons with the UKSA are available to families of four for a special discounted price of just £15 on Family Day (book at the Try Sailing Unit on Cowes Parade).
More adventurous families can enjoy a "Rock up and RIB" outing with Ondeck who are offering a special discounted ticket price of £95 
for a family of four, or, for a slower-paced spectator experience, the spectator boat service has a significantly discounted family ticket price of £20 for 2 adults and 2 children, exclusively for Family Day.
Ladies Day, in association with the Women’s Sport and Fitness Foundation - Tuesday 9 August
For the last five years, Ladies Day at Cowes Week has provided a celebration of the outstanding successes of women in sailing. This year, a partnership with the Women's Sport and Fitness Foundation continues that tradition but also recognises the wider achievements of the country’s sportswomen and a number of personalities from across the world of sport will be in Cowes in support of the Ladies Day celebrations.
The main focus of the Ladies Day celebrations will be an evening reception on the Pier at Shepards Wharf Marina during which the Ladies Day Trophy will be presented - an award that recognises an outstanding contribution, commitment or achievement of a woman in sailing.
Nominations for the Ladies Day Trophy can be made on the event website until midnight on Friday 5 August.
Ladies Day also features a range of celebratory activities for women, including:
- On-the-spot prizes awarded at random out on the water to female sailors.
- 10% discount on all Gill purchases for female shoppers in the Aquatogs store in Cowes as well as at the Gill retail unit at Cowes Yacht Haven.
- Free entry to Club Infernos for ladies before 00:30 (subject to capacity).
Fireworks - Friday 12 August
A highlight of the event each year is the world-renowned fireworks, which take place on the final Friday of Aberdeen Asset Management Cowes Week. Tens of thousands of spectators enjoy the spectacular display over the Solent.
Both the event organisers, Cowes Week Limited and Aberdeen Asset Management as the title sponsor of the event have committed sizeable contributions to the display this year.
However, additional funds are still needed, and a fundraising campaign involving the local community continues to work hard to secure funding. Donations can be made securely online and any surplus funds will contribute towards the 2011 display.
To donate or for a comprehensive overview of the full shore-side and entertainment schedule visit www.aamcowesweek.co.uk.
You can also find details of how each of the shore-side venues will also be contributing to the unique festival atmosphere for which the regatta is so well-known.
Follow the event on facebook.