We are coming to the end of the sailing season, and people who own boats on the Isle of Wight are starting to have them lifted out of the water and “laid up” for the winter.

So begins an annual transition as vessels are serviced at the various yards around the Island.

It is very difficult to quantify the value of this.

Looking at the census statistics it is even hard to ascertain just how many people are involved in marine activity on the Island, but it must run into the thousands.

Several sailing clubs have their annual general meetings about this time of year and review their activities.

They too provide employment to a significant number of Island families, in areas including Cowes, Yarmouth, Seaview, Newport and Bembridge.

According to the RYA, fewer than ten per cent of clubs now have more than 1,000 members.

This is not just a problem for yacht clubs, but symptomatic of a wider change in participation in sport and other activities.

Whereas once you had to join a club in order to get out on the water, or play golf
or cricket, these days people are opting for pay-and-play.

For many, leisure activity is about experiences, rather than joining anything that requires an annual subscription.

So one week it’s sailing in Cowes, next week it’s cycling round Holland, or bungee-jumping in New Zealand.

What does this mean for the future of the sailing clubs, and indeed the future of sailing on the Isle of Wight? Will they all die out?

No doubt a tiny minority of Islanders, who lump all sailing enthusiasts together as the “pink trouser brigade” might rejoice, but the reality is that the Island
would suffer a huge loss in revenue if sailing became less popular.

Luckily there are no signs that is the case.

The income that comes with the sailing community being based in the Solent and enjoying the resources of towns like Cowes, Yarmouth and elsewhere remains in good supply.

2025 marks the 250th anniversary of the founding of the Royal Thames Yacht Club and there will be a variety of events in the Solent to mark it.

We also look forward to the return of the Admirals Cup to Cowes in July 2025 with high-end racing from crews from all over the world.

2026 marks the 200th Cowes Week.

Again there will be a lot on offer.

People from all over the world visit the Island simply to go sailing and take part in yachting events. They often come to live here for the same reason.

The number and variety of pubs and restaurants in Cowes, Yarmouth and Bembridge attest to the benefit that brings to the local community.

Sailing clubs no longer display the snobbery of the Victorian and Edwardian eras, and members join to make friends, to socialise or to sail in company.

The different clubs interest different sections of the community.  Where they all appeal is to people who enjoy the fellowship of others, and they are an important part of the social life of the community.

You don’t even have to be a sailor or boater to join.