Opportunities to try sailing with Sunsail will be available throughout Southampton Sailing Week

The first ever Southampton Sailing Week takes place this May (24 to 29) – offering a wealth of events both on and off the water.

The inaugural event will showcase water sports of all types, from sailing and powerboating to paddle boarding and rowing. Southampton Sailing Week will feature opportunities for both seasoned sailors and newcomers to get out on the water, as well as regatta events designed to bring the buzz to the city.

Among the events taking place are:

A parade of sail featuring up to 500 vessels including yachts, RIBs, motorboats, kayaks and paddleboards (Saturday 27)
A regatta party in the heart of the city, where revellers can sip on Southampton Sailing Week cocktails and socialise at a range of participating bars and restaurants (Sunday 28)
A carnival parade, bringing the sea to the city (Monday 29)
Six days of racing on the water
Free dinghy sailing sessions for schools, families, individuals and businesses at the Southampton Water Activities Centre
A ‘Classics on the Quay’ display of classic cars, supercars, bikes and scooters at MDL’s Shamrock Quay Marina
RIB treasure hunts with Solent Events
Daily charters
Model yacht racing
Sailing taster days with Sunsail

It is the first time Southampton has hosted a dedicated week to celebrate sailing and organiser Chris Rees says he hopes it will bring the joy of water sports to a new audience.

He said: “Southampton sits on one of the best stretches of water in the UK for sail racing, so it’s only right that it has its own celebration of sailing. Sadly, despite this fantastic resource being on our doorstep many people in the city have never had a chance to get out on the water so creating those opportunities is a big part of Southampton Sailing Week.

“There’ll be plenty of chances for people to try their hand at everything from paddle boarding to dinghy sailing and, for the more seasoned sailors, there’ll be plenty of races to take part in daily.”

Southampton Sailing Week will also feature a range of events for the whole family on dry land.

Chris added: “The parade of sail will be a real sight to see and there are plenty of vantage points where families can get the best view of the action. Similarly the carnival procession through the city on the bank holiday Monday will bring an exciting buzz.”

To find out more about Southampton Sailing Week, which is supported by MDL Marinas and Sunsail, visit www.southamptonsailingweek.co.uk

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