Autism on the Water

21/08/2026

We were back out on the water today from Cowes Yacht Haven spectating the Edinburgh Cup run by the Royal Yacht Squadron

Autistic teenager Ethan and his parent enjoyed their trip out on the Solent and we even managed to hoist a sail for the return leg to Cowes.

We managed to get 7 people out on the water this week which although isn’t a lot, it’s still changing lives and we look forward to the next event.

A big thanks to James Van Kuyk for crewing for us this week 🙂

Cowes Town Waterfront Trust
MSIG
Studycat
Inland and Coastal Marina Systems Ltd
Cowes Corinthian Yacht Club
Royal London Yacht Club
Royal Ocean Racing Club

19/08/2026

Wonderful to be back in Cowes and back on the water with a Autistic family of two young boys, their Dad and their Grandfather. Unfortunately due to a race postponement we were unable to see the Dragon yachts of the Royal Yacht Squadron Edinburgh Cup race but we did catch them heading out on the water.

A lovely motor around Cowes Harbour and up the River Medina 🙂

Cowes Town Waterfront Trust
Cowes Yacht Haven
MSIG
Studycat
Inland and Coastal Marina Systems Ltd

13/08/2026

AOTW Edinburgh Cup Spectating! 19-21 August

Following a fantastic Cowes Week - the AOTW Team are now fully recovered and heading back to work. We're pleased to be hosting a special event for all Autistic Families based on the Isle of Wight as always completely for free!

The prestigious Dragon Edinburgh Cup takes place from Cowes hosted by the Royal Yacht Squadron and we are taking you to watch the action! From professional sailors to corinthian sailors, this event showcases true seamanship within the race course and features some famous boats including the late Prince Philip's yacht 'Bluebottle' - a favourite for the cup.

This event is part of our work and commitment to Cowes Town Waterfront Trust and will be run out of Cowes Yacht Haven.

Spaces are limited, so please book early to avoid disappointment! Any questions, please drop us a message :)

https://www.autismonthewater.org.uk/event-details-registration/aotw-edinburgh-cup-spectating

Royal Yacht Squadron
Royal London Yacht Club
Royal Ocean Racing Club
Cowes Corinthian Yacht Club
Cowes Town Waterfront Trust
Cowes Yacht Haven
Pontoon View Bar
Cowes Sailability Club
RYA Sailability
Isle of Wight County Press
Isle of Wight Mental Health Support Team
NAS Isle of Wight Branch
Isle of Wight Radio

Come and join Autism On The Water for FREE spectating trips of the prestigious Edinburgh Cup Regatta hosted by the Royal Yacht Squadron

08/08/2026

After a very long week - Team AOTW have finished another fantastic Cowes Week! The 200th anniversary edition of what is now our most favourite event!

The team consisted of charity volunteers and associates who competed in the event of 600+ boats to raise awareness of the work we do on the Isle of Wight. We were sad to not provide trips this year but given how extremely busy the town was, we accepted that this was a good decision.

We proudly represented Oban Sailing Club and Cove Sailing Club, Argyll from Scotland and Cowes Corinthian Yacht Club and Royal London Yacht Club from the South Coast.

We also were very proud to promote our association with Cowes Town Waterfront Trust as well as with Cowes Yacht Haven. They are the ones who have made our branch here a huge success.

We were also delighted to meet Ben Ainslie of GB1 and also the team of Royal Yacht Squadron who embraced us a warm welcome.

And finally a huge thank you to our main sponsors - MSIG Studycat and Inland and Coastal Marina Systems Ltd who without them alongside our other sponsors we could never have competed here.

We are planning some events in due course in Cowes so please stay updated on info about this 🙂

07/08/2026

It’s the last day of North Sails Cowes Week and what an event it’s been! Our CEO Murray gives us a run down on the week.

Cowes Town Waterfront Trust
MSIG
Cowes Yacht Haven
Studycat
Inland and Coastal Marina Systems Ltd
Cowes Corinthian Yacht Club
Royal London Yacht Club
Royal Yacht Squadron
Oban Sailing Club
Cove Sailing Club, Argyll
Garmin
EMCTrust
Caledonian Sleeper
GB1
Ben Ainslie
Solent Sails
Scaramouche Sailing Trust
FreeSpirit
Royal Yachting Association
RYA Scotland
RYA Sailability

02/08/2026

Team AOTW at Royal Yacht Squadron at Cowes Week after a great second day of racing in beautiful conditions.

Our banner in the Cowes Town Waterfront Trust tent has been so well received that the autistic youngster in the picture has messaged to ask if they can have a banner of their own! Which we are now sorting out for them.

We’re proudly representing Oban Sailing Club Cove Sailing Club, Argyll Cowes Corinthian Yacht Club and Royal London Yacht Club

This regatta is a huge part of our charity development and we’re so proud to have built a great base here in the South.

01/08/2026

Team AOTW had a great first day of Cowes Week - achieving a good result in beautiful sailing conditions. It was quite a sight with 642 boats out racing.

Our CEO Murray then managed to meet Ben Ainslie - the world famous sailor of GB1 and Emirates Great Britain SailGP Team who very kindly gifted Murray a brand new North Sails hat 🙂

01/08/2026

Team AOTW are ready for Cowes Week! After a short postponement we are ready to go racing!

Our crew our kitted out in branded shirts, our brand new Garmin chartplotter is fitted and our new banner is up at the Cowes Town Waterfront Trust stand in Cowes Yacht Haven!

Good luck team!

30/07/2026

Team AOTW are in Cowes ready to take part in the 200th edition of Cowes Week! We’re extremely proud to be here for this event which was the start of our incredible South coast base which already this year has helped 64 people from the Isle of Wight get out on the water.

We’re proudly representing Oban Sailing Club Cove Sailing Club, Argyll Cowes Corinthian Yacht Club and Royal London Yacht Club

Also heavily branded are our friends and sponsors MSIG Studycat and Inland and Coastal Marina Systems Ltd and most of all our fabulous partnership with Cowes Town Waterfront Trust in association with Cowes Yacht Haven

We’re competing in IRC Class 7 and racing in a fleet of 600+ boats!

A huge thank you to Solent Sails who provided our new battle flag with bolt rope and eyelets.

If any autistic families wish to come and say hello, please do as we may have a lucky present for you!

27/07/2026

After a couple of weeks off - we’re back to business and it’s the big one - the 200th Cowes Week! Team AOTW will be racing representing Oban Sailing Club Cove Sailing Club, Argyll Cowes Corinthian Yacht Club and Royal London Yacht Club in the big fleet of 600+ boats and ensuring autism awareness is at the top of the priorities!

It’s also a chance for members of the public to come and visit us at Cowes Yacht Haven and hear more about our plans and especially about our partnership with Cowes Town Waterfront Trust. Our brand new Garmin chartplotter which we were donated last year will be fitted and our long time sponsors and friends Inland and Coastal Marina Systems Ltd will be supporting our team with logistic help throughout the event.

And especially we want to thank Caledonian Sleeper who have very generously sponsored our travel down south from Scotland.

We can’t wait to see as many of you as possible in Cowes and we also wish our friends at EMCTrust the very best who are the deserved chosen charity for this years event 🙂