Entry form | Course & road map | Safety information

• 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 a change of helm and crew.

The race is open to all classes of dinghy, catamaran and sailboard but any boat which does not have a a PY number should contact the club beforehand and must apply before 25th August.

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, 2008.
Monohull:
2hrs 59mins - Andy Pickrell/Nick Lett, RS800, 2005.
Sailboard:
3hrs 6mins - Richard Baker, 2005
Typical passage times are between 3-10hrs.

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.