That's a wrap! See you next year!

See you August 2/3, 2025!

Come play at Cow Bay! This regatta is one of the most competitive AND notoriously fun events of the pacific northwest racing scene. Started in 1983, the regatta often attracts more than 70 boats across one-design and PHRF keelboat and multihull divisions. The “doctor” often delivers amazingly predictable winds and the after-racing socializing is legendary. We hope you can join us!

OFFICIAL NOTICE BOARD

Cow Bay is made possible by our nine major sponsors:

Thank you also to our many supporters:

Udder Details

  • RACE OFFICE

    Please visit the registration and race office on the docks at Fisherman’s Wharf.

  • MOORAGE

    While moorage at Fisherman's Wharf (the old Government dock) is on a first-come, first-served basis (no reservations available), the Harbourmaster has asked us to look after moorage assignments and payments for racers, motherships, and race committee.  You can pre-pay via the regatta website, or just pay at the Race Office when you arrive. Be prepared to raft up, the marina will be very full. As you arrive please radio “Cow Bay Regatta Dockmaster” on VHF 66a for slip assignment.


    NOTE:  We have placed a cap of 70 race boats because the commercial marinas in the village are generally not accepting transient moorage any more, the anchorage is very full of permanent moored boats, and many people are bringing motherships due to limited availability of on-shore accommodation.


    For accommodations, marinas, local businesses and services, check the Business Listings on the Cowichan Bay Community Website.

  • ACCOMMODATION

    Camping and RV spaces are available on the beach site. Please share the limited space.


    Set up tents and small RV/trailers at the South end between the beach and trees.


    Park larger RV's and trailers beside the slope away from the beach.


    The Ocean Front Suites at Cowichan Bay is beside Kil-Pah-Las beach. There are several B&Bs in Cowichan Bay and hotel/motel accommodation is available in the Duncan area.

  • DIRECTIONS

    From Victoria:

    Trans-Canada Highway northbound traffic will exit right at the Cowichan Bay Road intersection (next light after Fisher Road). The Valleyview Centre is located at this corner with Country Grocer (closest full grocery store to Cowichan Bay 8am-9pm), cafe, liquor store, pharmacy and more. Follow the road straight into Cowichan Bay Village.


    Botwood Lane leads to the Event Site, which is past the Dreamweaver B&B (very distinct triangular building with shake siding) and the Ocean Front Suites at Cowichan Bay.


    Be sure to ride with a friend as parking is a "Cow Bay" style affair; unless you can hang them there isn't enough room. At the other end of town Hecate Park may be able to take some vehicles.


    There will be limited space at the Event Site for tents and some campers.


    From Duncan and the North Island:

    Trans-Canada Highway southbound traffic should turn left at Koksilah Road (the light after Whippletree Junction just south of Duncan). Go straight to Cowichan Bay Road (STOP sign). Turn Left again and drive down the hill into the village. See above. This is the long way but it takes you into town at the south end close to the Event Site.


    From the water:

    As you head west toward the village and the public wharf there is a beach area on the east side next to the hotel. This is the Event Site.


    There will be a sign designating the VHF channel for the water taxi and site co-coordinator if you need some information.


    The hotel has graciously allowed us to use their dock as a dinghy and shuttle drop off point. Also, the public wharf will allow dinghies to tie up between the main finger and the wave break. Please check with the wharfinger before leaving dinghies there for an extended period.


    View in Google maps

  • OTHER DETAILS

    • The gate opens at 3pm on the Friday
    • Don't burn the place down. NO fires - NO open flames
    • The water at beach facility is NOT potable
    • Respect your neighbours
    • Keep the noise down
    • Pick up your stuff
    • Have fun
    • Be nice
    • Parking is very limited; the organizing committee requests that you car pool if possible.
    • Registration, souvenir sales, dinner and raffle tickets will be available at the Regatta Pavilion.

#CowBayRegatta

The pickleforks were out in force as always at Cow Bay :)
Approaching the 3 boat circle. No need for a description, you can hear the word through the camera lens 🤣 📸 Graham Ellis @martin242_sailing
Drive it like you stole it, and don't look back Kenny! 2024 Martin 242 NAs at Cow Bay. 📸 Graham Ellis @martin242_sailing
THAT. WAS. SO. MUCH. FUN. Martin 242 NAs at Cow Bay 2024 📸 Andrew Madding
What a SPECTACULAR weekend. While none of us can claim responsibility for the perfect wind and sun, our generous sponsors and local supporters were absolutely critical to making this happen, from pre-cooking the potatoes to cash support that allowed us to change to re-usable plates and cutlery, the toilet trailer instead of porta-potties, and the exceptional array of awards and door prizes. THANK YOU again to: - @bluegrousewines - @cowbaypub - @mycvrd - CSR Marine - Cynergy Research - @hellyhansen @vancouver.hellyhansen - @navis_marine - @northsails - @oceanfront.suites - @trotacmarine - @viasportbc
Perfect conditions again at Cow Bay this year. @65_redrosesracing from royalvanyc @royalvanracing @westvancouveryachtclub dialling it in upwind. 📸 Graeme Ellis
Michael Clements is not only perennially at the top of the podium after racing, but also the brains behind Cynergy Research with equally winning investment research. Cynergy Research is providing annual Platinum subscriptions to their equity analysis and Model Portfolio. Michael has also been our sponsorship lead this year, and as you can tell, has significantly elevated the support the regatta has received. Thank you Michael and Cynergy Research!
And another major sailing supplier has joined the Cow Bay family - Helly Hansen USA and Helly Hansen Canada are both providing items for awards and door prizes. HH USA is providing SEVEN of their great gear bags in the XL size, each valued at $145, and HH Canada is providing two great sailing jackets. They have a great online store and handy locations in Vancouver, Whistler, and Seattle, as well as a great outlet store in New Westminster. We all love our Helly gear! @hellyhansen
Also a first-time sponsor this year, Blue Grouse Estate Winery and Vineyard is an excellent vineyard just 5 minutes up the road from the regatta. They produce a great selection of reds, whites, and sparkling whites and rosé. They are very generously hosting our race committee in two suites at the vineyard for the weekend (a cost savings of well over $1,000 for the regatta), and sponsoring wine as prizes and thank you gifts. The only problem is that we're not sure that our race committee is going to want to leave their lovely vineyard to come and run the races! They have a full website at https://bluegrouse.ca/, they are just up the road, and their wines are available throughout BC. Please give them a visit, and say thank you to GM Michael Abbott. @bluegrousewines
This year we welcome Navis Marine Insurance Brokers as a sponsor. Navis has been a big supporter of sailboat racing in BC, including both adult and youth racing, and both as sponsors and volunteers. Rich has been great to work with, and will be racing his newly acquired Martin 242 "White Noise" in the North Americans at Cow Bay, so don't hesitate to speak with him if you would like to make a change in your insurance. Thank you Navis, and a warm welcome to the Cow Bay family!
Trotac has also been one of Cow Bay's longest-running and most generous sponsors. Trotac is the best-stocked and most knowledgeable boat chandlery in all of BC, particularly for sailboat racing (not to mention the endless fishing supplies) - a great line selection, hardware, electrical, solar, etc. Trotac provides door prizes and division swag, and this year has provided a very special award for the Classics division, not to mention Alex's artistic talents behind the t-shirt. A big thank you to Campbell, Alex, and the whole team at Trotac! It can never be the same as being in the store, but they even have an online store now: https://trotac.ca/. @trotacmarine
And with that innocuous little indicator, Cow Bay 2024 is FULL! Clearly we all love Cow Bay ❤️. We have one team that may have to cancel, so email us at cowbayregatta@gmail.com if you were hoping to register. See you all in a week!
Looking even better! ☀️☀️☀️
Two years ago, CSR Marine stepped forward to sponsor Cow Bay because members of their team enjoy the event so much and wanted to support it. They are back for year three and are joining forces with the Martin 242 NAs team to put on a great welcome party on the docks on the Friday 4-8pm. Don't arrive too late and miss it! THANK YOU Csr Marine!!
The Cow Bay hat is available this year in three great new colours: https://theclubspot.com/shop/regatta/9dXZG5Bzig
The t-shirt design is out and looks great! This year's shirt makes special recognition of the 107 year-old Dorothy's major restoration and return to Cow Bay Regatta, juxtaposed with the modern racing fleets. If you didn't already buy a shirt with your registration, it's a very good idea to pre-purchase because there will be a limited number and we have run out both of the last two years. You can purchase online at the regatta store at: https://theclubspot.com/shop/regatta/9dXZG5Bzig. Be sure to choose men's or women's.
We are welcoming the Cowichan Valley Regional District back as a sponsor for the second year, providing a Sport and Tourism grant. These grants really help us to put on a great event, and draw teams from further afield to experience this great event and the Cowichan region. Bring your families, and stay after the event to explore all the region has to offer: vineyards, restaurants, first nations arts and culture, museums, outdoor sports, and attractions: https://www.tourismcowichan.com/.
We are very pleased to be welcoming North Sails as a sponsor this year. The Sidney (originally Victoria) loft and its owners (Tim followed by Stu & Joy) have had a very close and long history with Cow Bay Regatta as Hood and then UK, including being instrumental in creating the current version of the event 45 years ago, sponsoring, and directly volunteering. So a passing of the torch of brands, and still the loft and people we know and love. North Sails is providing the division prize pennants, a lovely inflatable SUP, and big stack of hats and coozies. THANK YOU for so many years of ongoing support Stu and Joy, and now North Sails!
☀️ 🌬️ ⛵️ 🏖️ 😀😀😀
Cow Bay's longtime friends and supporters at @telegraphharbour at nearby Thetis Island have provided a generous offer of 50% off moorage and a $10 in-store credit for racers who would like to stop in on their way to and from Cow Bay. Thank you!
We can't wait to see S/V Dorothy back at Cowichan Bay Regatta for the first time in a century - thanks to the massive restoration by the volunteers of the @maritimemusbc. Dorothy won the inaugural version of Cowichan Bay Regatta in 1914! This is a video of the racing from 1934.
And a ton of fun. What more can you ask for?
Great party
Great racing
Well, in the realm of the incredible, we've decided to do away with the horrible stinky porta-poties that boil in the Cow Bay heat, and get a nice clean air-conditioned portable trailer toilet this year, with hot and cold running water. We will all appreciate this, and those camping at the beach will doubtless love it!
You spoke. We listened. 🍽
The SARC 2024 schedule is out, and we are very proud to once again be on the list of qualifying events for the @48_north SARC Top 25. Cow Bay is one of only three Canadian events on the SARC Top 25 qualifying list - and the only Canadian "round the buoys regatta" event, alongside the venerable @swiftsurerace and @southernstraits distance racing events. https://issuu.com/48north/docs/jan_2024_sarc_digital?fbclid=IwAR02kA1cuSM4U1-fKWVmdPiMe2X1qya4O0DiMRDgg83NO_qI0ce5IKWsfhA
"Ogopogo" - first overall in Division 2 - Congratulations Paul and April! 📷 Andrew Madding
Hotfoot 27 "Fetish" - first overall in Division 3 - Congratulations Dave! 📷 Andrew Madding
"Sassanack" - first overall in Division 4. 📷 Andrew Madding
"Too Wicked" - first overall in the Martin 242 Division, and therefore 2023 Martin 242 Canadian Championship winner - Congratulations Michael! 📷 Andrew Madding @royalvanyc @martin242_sailing
"Doubletime" - first overall in the PHRF Div 1 - Congratulations John!!! 📷 Andrew Bradley @royalvanyc
"Dragon" - first overall in the Multihull Division - Congratulations Duncan!!! 📷 Andrew Bradley
The Martins are such a friendly bunch, they love being close together 😀 📷 Andrew Barclay of @beaconsigns
📷 Andrew Barclay of @beaconsigns
Like clockwork, the Doctor bids farewell, calm sets in, and the sunset takes over. Ready for another day.
A stunning sunny Thursday in Cowichan, and the Doctor is in.
Is there a doctor in the house? It sure looks like there will be this weekend! 🌬️😀
Be still my beating heart... One week from right now, we'll be crossing tacks up past Cherry Point Marina ❤️ ⛵️. Sailing Instructions are now posted at www.cowbay-regatta.ca. In keeping with our commitment to the Clean Regattas program by Sailors for the Sea, we have created a one-page SIs reference sheet that can be easily stored on a phone or printed as a single page and taken on the water, containing the most-referenced items, and the rest of the SIs are available online at the Official Noticeboard. You can also sign up for unofficial notifications of any changes to the NoR, SIs, etc. during the event via WhatsApp at: https://chat.whatsapp.com/EbHQPY0Cl8D56XDfrx377C
The long term forecast for Cow Bay weekend is looking ideal ☀️🏖️⛵️
2 weeks till play time!
No look-back through the Cow Bay archives would be complete without the other yellow boat as well. Cow Bay regular Bad Kitty. 📷 from Cap’n Billy’s archives
More from Cap’n Billy’s archives. Rumpus wants to come and play with Fetish. Gosh, that doesn’t sound right 😳. But in this case it’s true! Always a great battle between the Santa Cruz and Hotfoot for the podium. @hey_steph_sailor
More from Cap’n Billy’s archives. We miss Dragonfly, she was always an impressive sight - including the year they had to use the Fisherman’s Wharf crane to lift one hull to do a repair! But Pat and Richard remain stalwart Cow Bay supporters. Pat is again bringing his powerboat all the way from La Conner to be our start boat, and Pat and Richard have been the steak masters on the BBQs. Thank you both!
A remarkable accomplishment, Ben and team have won the Cow Bay overall trophy at least twice in recent years, and will be back for another crack at it this year in his latest boat, the J/33 “J-Lo”. 📷 from Cap’n Billy’s archives.
The super tight upwinds AND downwinds keep the 242 fleet coming back year after year. The longest-standing and most consistent one-design fleet at Cow Bay ❤️ Photos thanks to Cap’n Billy’s archives.
More from Cap’n Billy’s archives.
Please, please, please ease the Mainsheet. I’m sure that’s what Spooner was saying, right? 😳 Still having fun going through Cap’n Billy’s photo archives.
Attention particularly Puget Sound sailors! Another very generous contribution by our sponsor CSR Marine. There will be a prize of free haulout and blocking for the first 30’ when purchasing a painting package. Another good reason to come and play at Cow Bay August 5/6. Details per attached. Only 8 spots left, though, before we hit our 70 boat cap, so don’t be late for the start! Thank you CSR Marine!!
Cap’n Billy
Ron reports that Kairos is very much looking forward to being back this year. 📷 Bill Allen’s collection
📷 Bill Allen’s collection
Not only are we pleased to announced that @uksailmakersnw are joining us again as a Gold sponsor, but we are jointly announcing a new program sponsoring up to THREE free registrations for younger teams to promote participation among our younger sailors. Open to the first three teams to apply who are all under 30. For those interested, please DM us or email cowbayregatta@gmail.com for a free registration code. UK has been a longtime major supporter of Cow Bay, and deeply involved in helping to organize the event in many years, as well as always being a major sponsor. This year UK will also be sponsoring the prizes for the top 3 in each division, and providing door prizes. A VERY big thank you to UK for supporting Cow Bay and so many other local regattas and programs.
It's official! We are now a Sailors for the Sea Clean Regatta. Cowichan Bay is full of wonderful wildlife, and we are proud to do our part to support and protect it.
It really is a shame we don't have any fun...
Don't miss out! Registration is filling up and Wednesday next week is the last day for early registration to save $25 on entry. Already there is a great Martin 242 One-Design fleet forming for the Canadian Championship, the usual great multihull fleet, and we can already see two great PHRF monohull fleets forming in the fast and mid-rating bands with boats from far and wide. We have been granted use of the beach again, so camping will be available this year.
Thank you Paul Ulibarri!!! @sailcanada @rvicyc @cfsaesquimalt
Wow, it isn't just a figment of our imagination... That WAS a spectacular weekend of racing! ⛵ Thank you to Andrew Bradley of @beaconsigns for these fantastic photos, and many more posted at: https://drive.google.com/drive/u/1/folders/1o7hZ4wgNfHVa8VbyF3l8ZOHzNj7yVKnE?fbclid=IwAR3R3ozzsax-DxdYRALJMEJ5MjwM27XXLm4Xb6THAAXDtHz2PHcEIMrPXM8
The Cow Bay party was almost as memorable as the racing. Shout out to DJ Brother Joshua James from Hornby Island for keeping us partying past sunset. #regattaparty #cowbayregatta #sunsetparty
It was SO good to be back
RC sandwhiches!
Cow Bay RC is on it #cowbay #sailingrace
Sailors are flexible creatures…. No beach? No problem. The regatta office is now set up at the dock. See you this evening! Registration and welcome social start at 5pm.
The regatta trailer, portapotties and t-shirts arrived today, as did a beautiful 12-13 knot thermal all day. All systems go!
I spy…. A certain Cow Bay regular out practicing gybes off Sidney 🔥See you next weekend!
The Doctor is ready ☀️🌬
We’re SUPER happy to welcome Orcas Island Yacht Club’s J/Pod J/70 fleet to Cow Bay Regatta this year. This year they were recognized with US Sailing’s Rolex award for promotion of one-design fleets. This year will be a smaller presence because several of their fleet members are currently in the middle of the Pacific racing their bigger J/boats in PAC Cup. They may be the biggest OD fleet at Cow Bay next year!!
It’s just two weeks till we’ll be back at those docks, and out racing on Cowichan Bay! Early registration is available until this Friday, saving $25. Summer is coming! 🌞 The card is a photo of a painting by renowned local artist EJ Hughes, showing the old docks and piling breakwater.
And with that, it's already 10! 5 PHRF, 2 multis, 2 Martins, and the first of the Hotfoot OD division. Word has it the 6mRs will also be forming a division. The regatta is still more than two months away, but there is a super-Early Bird discount of 40% until the end of June to get the boring stuff out of the way 😃 https://theclubspot.com/regatta/O54IIOaz9M
We are so happy that the inimitable multi-Olympic Race Officer Paul Ulibarri will be PRO for Cow Bay this year, along with Vicki and their exceptional team of volunteers. Paul strikes a beautiful balance of Olympic-level expertise with local fun "get'em racing" attitude. If you don't know the phrase "Boogity-Boogity", you will by the end of the weekend 😃 THANK YOU PAUL, VICKI, AND TEAM!!! 📷 by Dave Brede
It's official! The NoR is posted and registration is open at www.cowbay-regatta.ca. The first 5 boats have already registered - regulars Cheekee Monkey in the multihull division, Kaitoa in PHRF, Foot Loose in the Hotfoot One Design, and Min of Mine and Too Wicked in Martin 242 One-Design. Bring it on!
Registration is open for Cow Bay 2022!!! Let your friends and nemeses know you're coming by registering early, and get a 40% discount if you do so by June 1st. Early-bird registration is fully refundable. https://www.theclubspot.com/regatta/O54IIOaz9M
Cow Bay Regatta 40 years ❤️🐮
BACK TO THE BEACH!!! ⛵ #cowbayregatta Racers, it's time to come back for some warm and windy fun! Cow Bay 2022 IS ON! August Long Weekend July 30/31. Registration opens May 1st with a 40% discount until June 1st! www.cowbay-regatta.com. 📷 2018 by Andrew Bradley
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The Cowichan Bay Sailing Association gratefully acknowledges the Cowichan Tribes for allowing us to hold this event on their traditional territory.


For accommodations, marinas, local businesses and services, check the Business Listings on the Cowichan Bay Community Website

We are also very proud to be part of the Sailors for the Sea Clean Regattas program, as part of our commitment to look after and protect this wonderful natural setting that we get to race in.