Last year Parade Village was a great success. For this year’s Skandia Cowes week it will be even better.

Now it will be easier to get ashore with the new Parade Landing, making the village more accessible for competitors.

Some of the facilities that will now be available are:

*Information point

*Bar and BBQ – with a beautiful view of the Solent

*Retail units – where you can sign up for free introductory sailing sessions

*Spectator boats to watch the race from – only £10 for adults and £8 for under 16s

Over 8,500 competitors will be descending on Cowes next week to battle with the elements. The latest weather forecast predicts that this weekend we’ll have approximately 21°C with light rain and some cloud. Wind is predicted to be 10 knots from the south and south-west.