Today's events at Skandia Cowes Week

If you want to get involved this Skandia Cowes Week, but have no sailing experience, why notTry Sailingwith Skandia? The initiative is free and a qualified sailing instructor from the UKSA will take you through all the basics. To register go to the Try Sailing/Skandia stand on the parade or the Sail 4 Cancer and Gipsy Moth stands in Cowes Yacht Haven.

If you fancy watching the regatta from the comfort of theTimberland RIBit will be out on the water raising money for Sail 4 Cancer by taking members of the public out to see the racing. For the very reasonable price of £10 for adults and £5 for children you can take a trip anytime between 10:00 and 17:00.

If rowing is your bag, raise money and win prizes at theRow 4 Cancer Concept II Challengebetween 14:00 and 18:00 at Shepherd’s Wharf. Get grinding today for your last chance to win a magnum of Mumm champagne in theLewmar Sail 4 Cancer Winch Grinding Challengebetween 16:00 and 19:00 at the Sail 4 Cancer stand at Cowes Yacht Haven. Prizegivings for the winners of the week will take place at 18:00 and 19:00 respectively.

This evening’s events will be dominated by the mostspectacular firework displayCowes has ever seen – in honour of the 200th anniversary of the Battle of Trafalgar. See our story later in the day to find out more details. The incredible display threatens to rival the Edinburgh Hogmanay, so if you’re viewing from the land, make sure you get here early to reserve a good spot. The best places to view this amazing spectacle are: East Cowes Esplanade, The Parade and Princes Green.

TheHonda Dream Teamwill be taking to the skies at 19:00, look up to see their fantastic display of aerobatics, watch from Cowes Parade or Princes Green.

TheCharlie Fish Rum Ball in the Jungleis taking place tonight at Northwood House, where you will be able to watch the fireworks from the hill. For more information on tickets go to www.northwoodhouse.co.uk .

Los Pacaminos and Tex Mex with Paul Youngwill be taking centre stage at the Yacht Haven tonight and there will also be live music all day from 12:00 at the Skandia Parade Village.

With so much going on all over Cowes today, get here early.