When the wind blows balmy and steady, the flags whip enthusiastically overhead, and wavelets tease the stony shoreline, you know it’s going to be a thrilling day. The crew, sporting their nautical stripes and deck shoes, busy themselves dockside, hopeful for the perfect conditions. It all hangs on the weather. Masts of a thousand boats sway above in the briny air, then without warning a momentary lull in the crowd is split by the unmistakable cannon fire. The races have begun. It’s Cowes Week on the Isle of Wight.

Cowes Week is the height of the British Sporting Summer Season, and the world’s biggest sailing regatta. It’s a jam-packed and exhilarating week of races, socialising and the popping of champagne corks. It wears the badge of being Britain’s longest running sporting event. Visitors flock by the thousands to cheer and rub shoulders with world-class yachtsmen. It’s a chance for spectators to be close to the action, to be merry and awestruck.

Equal to the competitions is the plethora of social events – hospitality packages from private yacht clubs, live music stages and buzzing local venues that surround the harbour. It all gives Cowes Week Sailing Regatta its legendary reputation for having a festival, or après quality.

Cowes Week Sailing Regatta has long held a place in the sea-farer’s heart. It began back in August 1826 with a £2 entry fee for boats, and a prize of £100. It’s now a fully-fledged event attracting 8000 sailors and 1000 boats with every type of crew, from Olympic medallists, to family fun, and royal blood, all racing alongside one another. The late Duke of Edinburgh sailed here for 50 years up until 1997, and Sir Robin Knox Johnston – the first man to sail solo non-stop around the world – is a regular competitor.

100,000 spectators fill the winding streets of Cowes, exploding the population tenfold and transforming the sleepy town into a jamboree. The historical marina town has hosted international yacht racing days since Georgian times when navigating the Solent – the strip of water between the Isle Of Wight and the mainland – became a popular royal pastime. With a backdrop of the island’s undulating hills, it also became the location of Queen Victoria’s seaside palace, the Osborne Estate, where she would spend her holidays on her beloved Isle of Wight. The harbour itself is home to five sailing clubs, including the Royal Yacht Squadron where the cannon is sounded. Cowes has sailing running through its veins.

But you really don’t need to know much about sailing to have an unforgettable day.  The boats – like the competitors – range in size and experience, and they are mesmerising to watch. Billowing sails manned by courageous sailors of all ages – ambitious juniors, under 25’s and seasoned veterans; hiking on the windward side and getting drenched with sea spray. All in the name of good sporting entertainment. The huge fleet – forty classes in the competition with up to 40 races per day, the impeccable organisation and the palpable passion is enough to engulf even the most passive spectator. The event is the Isle of Wight’s proudest moment.

If you’ve done zero sailing, but you’re feeling adventurous, Sunsail have experienced captains and crew ready to take you and your friends on board, train you up and get you racing by the end of the day. For a more relaxed pace with the most exclusive views of the races, Sunseeker Charters have stunning, luxury yachts with your own Captain, Hostess and Chef as required. You can take it for the day or for the duration of the regatta, motoring over to local seafood restaurants on the island as you wish. Knowing all your needs are taken care of, it’s the ultimate in comfort and a unique platform to see the races without the crowds.

After the hundreds of majestic, ballooning sails return to shore and boats are docked for the night, the golden sun starts to set, sending sparkles across the Solent. Sailors of all ranks smile with pride after a great day of racing. The trophies have been handed to winners of all classes, it’s now time to celebrate.

The RAF Typhoons rip through the air with their ceremonious aerial display. Children point and gasp, grown ups sip on a cold glass of bubbles. The spectacular fireworks display marks the finale and live music carries the jovial atmosphere into the evening. Friends new and old toast a fabulous day and vow to come back to the Isle of Wight next year, perhaps to join the competition, perhaps just to indulge in the social event. Perhaps having learnt a little more about the sport, or perhaps still blissfully oblivious.