On Friday 10 August there will be a spectacular firework display from a floating raft just off the Marine

On Friday 10 August, there will be a spectacular firework display from a floating raft just off the Marine Esplanade. Where’s the party?Apart from on board the yachts, the onshore events are numerous and vary from informal gatherings in the marina bars, to open-air music and dancing, to the exclusive yacht club balls. The focal point for the action is the tented village at the Yacht Haven. Getting thereThe nearest airports are Eastleigh (Southampton) and Hurn (Bournemouth) but all the London airports are within easy reach by taxi or train.

There is also a heliport (01983 280909) in Cowes especially for the regatta. There are regular ferries to the island from Southampton, Portsmouth and Lymington, and even during Cowes Week there is no need to book as a foot passenger. But if you plan to bring a car (parking at Cowes is very limited), then bookings are essential on the Southampton to Cowes ferryWhere to be seenMost entertainment takes place on the marina, but for real snob value head for the yacht clubs. The Royal Yacht Squadron, the Royal London and the Royal Corinthian on The Parade are the best places to go.

They are very exclusive and you will need an invite from a member. You should also be aware of the dress code: yacht club cocktail parties and evening balls demand black tie Mobile phones must be switched off. www.cowesweek.co.uk Cowes is one of the most pukka events on the summer calendar. Yacht racing is a sport that can only really be enjoyed by the seriously rich; it was once described as “like tearing up £5 notes in the shower”.For the Skandia Life Cowes Week, the Isle of Wight town fills up with all sorts of yachties – from braying Hooray Henrys to the salty seadogs who make up the professional crews on the racing yachts. In the middle ground are the semi-professional crews – keen sailors who give up a week’s holiday to help for free on some of the top yachts. They work hard during the day, and work even harder at partying in the evening.To last the week at Cowes you need a strong constitution That’s why most people pop down for the day. There are three ways to enjoy Cowes if you’re a day tripper.You can sit on the shore – either in a marquee or at a yacht club – and watch the racing.

The problem with this, as anyone who has ever watched yacht racing from a distance can tell you, is that it is almost impossible to know what is going on – even with the aid of running commentary, a dedicated radio station and closed circuit TV, all of which are available at Cowes. Also, by the time you’ve had your third Pimm’s cup, all the information in the world will not help you work out who is in the lead.Or you can watch from a boat that isn’t racing – a relaxing, gentle way to enjoy the day, assuming the weather is kind. A quick squall will do more than make you spill your gin and tonic.Or you can join a racing yacht. Which is what I did last year, with rather unexpected results.I was invited on board Eurobenefits, a brand new 38ft yacht which was racing in the IRC Class 2 – one of the most competitive classes, with up to 49 yachts competing at any one time.The 11-strong crew was led by Christian Stimson – who designed the boat and one of its main rivals, T&G – and was mostly made up of experienced sailors from Ulster and Scotland. Two passengers were allowed, on the strict instructions that we were to do as we were told and not get in the way.So far so good as we arrived at Cowes harbour early on Sunday morning. Coffee and croissants were served, waterproofs lent, and the crew introduced.Then the bad news Eurobenefits had come third the previous day Now you or I would have thought this was good.

But it was bad, as T&G had come in second and beating the identical yacht was top of the day’s agenda.On board Eurobenefits, which was sponsored by a pensions consultancy, there is the ritual of applying the sun cream. It does not matter if you are brown as a berry, and the skies are as grey as Iain Duncan Smith; you will get sunburnt on a racing yacht Factor 15 is a minimum, factor 25 is common. It’s false bravado to say, “I’ll make do with a dab of Factor 4″, because you’ll be sorry.Before the race starts, everything is peaceful. If the sun is shining, you can just relax on board, take in some rays and prepare yourself for the onslaught to come. And onslaught it will be.Once the race starts, all hell is let loose.