Amended introduction - Cowes Week is not the oldest regatta in the world - it is predated by the Cumberland Cup, Dartmouth Regatta and Plymouth Regatta
Sailing race events are either held for either for a single class, a single model of boat such as the [[Islander 36]] and usually last more than one day. Regattas may be hosted by a [[yacht club]], sailing association, town or school as in the case of the UK's National School Sailing Association and [[Interscholastic Sailing Association]] (high school) regattas or [[Intercollegiate Sailing Association]] (college) regattas.
Sailing race events are either held for either for a single class, a single model of boat such as the [[Islander 36]] and usually last more than one day. Regattas may be hosted by a [[yacht club]], sailing association, town or school as in the case of the UK's National School Sailing Association and [[Interscholastic Sailing Association]] (high school) regattas or [[Intercollegiate Sailing Association]] (college) regattas.
One of the largest and most popular rowing regattas is the [[Henley Royal Regatta]] held on the [[River Thames]], [[England]]. The oldest runningregatta in the world is [[Cowes Week]], which is held annually by the [[Royal Yacht Squadron]] in [[Cowes]], England usually attracts over 900 sailboats. [[North America]]'s oldest regatta is the [[Royal St. John's Regatta]] held on [[Quidi Vidi Lake]] in [[St. John's, Newfoundland]] every year since 1826.
One of the largest and most popular rowing regattas is the [[Henley Royal Regatta]] held on the [[River Thames]], [[England]]. One of the largest and oldest yachting regattas in the world is [[Cowes Week]], which is held annually by the [[Royal Yacht Squadron]] in [[Cowes]], England usually attracts over 900 sailboats. Cowes Week is predated by the Cumberland Cup (1775), [[Port of Dartmouth Royal Regatta]] (1822) and Port of Plymouth Regatta (1823). [[North America]]'s oldest regatta is the [[Royal St. John's Regatta]] held on [[Quidi Vidi Lake]] in [[St. John's, Newfoundland]] every year since 1826.
The etymology of the word "regatta" is debated: some maintain it is derived from the Italian "riga", line, for the starting line; some say it comes from the Latin "aurigare" which means to race; others consider it derived from the Latin "remus", oar.
The etymology of the word "regatta" is debated: some maintain it is derived from the Italian "riga", line, for the starting line; some say it comes from the Latin "aurigare" which means to race; others consider it derived from the Latin "remus", oar.
A regatta is a series of boat races. The term typically describes racing events of rowed or sailed water craft, although some powerboat race series are also called regattas. A regatta often includes social and promotional activities which surround the racing event, and except in the case of boat type (or "class") championships, is usually named for the town or venue where the event takes place.
A view from the Race Committee boat at the start of Vanderbilt Sailing Club's annual SAISA regatta in 2005.IACC-class Yacht at the Kiel Week 2005Rowing, by Lucien Davis, 1898
Although regattas are typically amateur competitions, they are usually formally structured events, with comprehensive rules describing the schedule and procedures of the event. Regattas may be organized as championships for a particular area or type of boat, but are often held just for the joy of competition, camaraderie, and general promotion of the sport.
Sailing race events are either held for either for a single class, a single model of boat such as the Islander 36 and usually last more than one day. Regattas may be hosted by a yacht club, sailing association, town or school as in the case of the UK's National School Sailing Association and Interscholastic Sailing Association (high school) regattas or Intercollegiate Sailing Association (college) regattas.
The etymology of the word "regatta" is debated: some maintain it is derived from the Italian "riga", line, for the starting line; some say it comes from the Latin "aurigare" which means to race; others consider it derived from the Latin "remus", oar.
Hangon Regatta, an annual event in the city of Hanko, Finland, infamous for attracting large groups of partying youths with a tangential interest in the sailing itself
The NSSA National Youth Regatta is the largest dinghy sailing regatta and the largest youth sailing regatta in the UK. Due to its size the NYR visits a new location each year alternating between coastal and inland venues. Previous years venues include Bridlington (North Yorkshire), Datchet Sailing Club (West London) Plymouth (Devon), Redcar (North Mt. Baker Varsity 8 at Brentwood Regatta, April, 2009.East England), Deal (Kent), Grafham Water (Cambridgeshire), Weymouth (Dorset) to name just a few.