- A 40-mile clockwise circumnavigation of the Isle Of Sheppey in Kent
- Open to all classes of dinghy, catamaran and sailboard
- Sea, river and estuary sailing with tidal conditions
- Established since 1959 as an endurance event
- Every competitor who successfully completes the course receives a circumnavigation certificate signed by the Commodore
- In popular years 2-300 competitors have taken part
- Scroll down for full race details, start times, etc.
THE RACE
IOS Round the Island is a long established, long distance event designed
to test the sailing skills and endurance over a 40-mile course. Sailed clockwise
around the island, starting and finishing at IOS Sailing Club, the race
includes tidal sea, river & estuary sailing.
The event is the longest dinghy and board race in Europe, it should not
be confused with so-called 24 hour races, which allow for a change of helm and
crew.
The race is open to all classes of dinghy, catamaran and sailboard but
any dinghy/catamaran that does not have an RYA Portsmouth Yardstick number should contact the club at least two weeks prior to the date of the event.
THE COURSE
The race starts and finishes at Sheerness and is a clockwise circumnavigation
of the island. Firstly by sea to Leysdown and around the NE tip of the
Island, Shellness, and then into the Swale estuary. The Swale gradually
narrows into the river, with the lifting road bridge at Kingsferry acting
as an obstacle at its narrowest point. Larger dinghies and multihulls
have to be stopped, heeled over and walked under the inner span of the
bridge. The course continues up the Swale, through the ancient port of
Queenborough and into the mouth of the Medway, before finally rounding
Garrison Point to the open sea and the short distance back to the club.
Course records:
| Multihull: |
2hrs 10mins |
Aaron Young/Rob Butterfield
Tornado Sport in 2008. |
| Monohull: |
2hrs 59mins |
Andy Pickrell/Nick Lett
RS800 in 2005 |
| Sailboard: |
3hrs 6mins |
Richard Baker in 2005 |
Typical passage times are between 3-10 hours.
REQUIREMENTS
Every boat should be capable of completing the course in whatever conditions
are encountered. Particular note should be made of the possibility of
being reliant upon your own resources for a protracted period, even returning
after dark or in fog.
All boats buoyancy arrangements must be in thoroughly efficient working
order. Safety boats are instructed that, if necessary, crews are
to taken off, and boats left to be towed in later. It is therefore suggested
that all boats carry an anchor. Please read the safety information.
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Trophies and Prizes |
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Returned to
the club or as directed: |
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Parker Cup |
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First overall on PY |
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Times & Guardian Cup |
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Second overall on PY |
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Bartling Line Honours Cup |
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First across the finishing line |
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Rush & Tomkins Cup |
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First monohull slow handicap |
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McGloin Challenge Cup |
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First monohull medium handicap |
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Napier Cup |
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First monohull fast handicap |
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Thurston Challenge Cup |
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First multihull on SCHRS |
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Sailboard Shield |
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First sailboard on elapsed time |
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Shadwell Basin Shield |
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First female helm (dinghy/cat) on PY |
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Cannon Tool Hire Shield |
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First singlehanded dinghy on PY |
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Carlsberg-Tetley
Youth Shield |
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First under 16 helm on PY |
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Ship on Shore |
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First IOS boat over the line |
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Abbott Salver |
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First IOS boat on PY |
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The
following awards retained: |
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P&O Prizes |
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Ferry tickets for the winner from
each start.
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Circumnavigation Certificate |
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All crews completing the course |
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