Can you sail? Would you like to join the OC Sailing Club? They are looking to fill the last few places on the crew.
Every year the OC Sailing Club meet in the Solent to compete in the Arrow Cup. The Arrow Trophy is a prestigious annual sailing regatta held in Cowes, Isle of Wight, bringing together alumni crews from over 20 independent schools across the UK. Established in 1987, the event fosters friendly competition and camaraderie among former pupils, who race in chartered one-design yachts on the challenging waters of the Solent.
Format and Structure
The regatta spans a weekend, typically in early October. Saturday features fleet racing, where all participating teams compete in short races. The top four teams from these races advance to Sunday’s match racing semifinals and finals to vie for the Arrow Trophy. Meanwhile, the remaining teams continue fleet racing to contest other awards, such as the Charterhouse Bowl. In total, five trophies are awarded during the event.
Yachts and Teams
Participants race in two classes of yachts: the Jeanneau Sun Odyssey F41s and the Beneteau Oceanis 37s. Crew sizes vary, with F41s accommodating 8–10 sailors and Oceanis 37s hosting 6–8. Each team is allowed a limited number of “ringers” (experienced sailors not affiliated with the school) to ensure fair competition
Social and Community Aspects
Beyond the racing, the Arrow Trophy is renowned for its vibrant social scene. Crews often gather for dinners and social events at local yacht clubs, such as the Royal Ocean Racing Club (RORC) and the Royal London Yacht Club (RLYC), fostering a strong sense of community among participants. The 2025 Arrow Trophy is scheduled for the weekend of October 4–5. For more information, including entry details and race instructions, you can visit the official website: arrowtrophy.org.uk
Please contact Andrew Pike (1 North 1990) if you are interested: amjpike@live.com