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Cock Island Race 

June 13, 2026

Safety Town Celebrating 50 Years of Service to Portsmouth

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The 2026 Cock Island Race kicks off on Friday, June 12, with the Skippers' Party at 4:00 PM (mandatory Skippers Meeting at 6:30 PM) , followed by the Race on Saturday, June 13, at 9:00 A.M. (first warning horn), followed by the world famous Cock Island Party and Awards Ceremony. Note below the change in location for the Cock Island Party and Awards Ceremony -- the legendary Portside is back!

Whether this is your first Race or your 38th, the Cock Island Race is a legendary Southern Bay event. Once maxing out at 350 boats, the Race is a little smaller now but growing itself back to pre-COVID levels.

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More about the History of the Cock Island Race here.

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One thing that has not changed, however, is The Party (or, should we say, the Parties). The folks at the Portsmouth Boat Club know how to throw a Party.

Check-In & Skipper's Meeting

Check-in and Skipper's Meeting is on Friday, June 12, from 4:00-8:00 P.M. at the Portsmouth Boat Club, 20 Elm Avenue, Portsmouth, Virginia. Free golf cart shuttle transportation is available from Olde Towne Shuttle at the top of B-Dock at Tidewater Yacht Marina (the shuttle is free but tips are encouraged). The mandatory Skippers' Meeting will start at 6:30. As always, there will be beer, food and a great Swag Bag.

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As in prior years, Tidewater Yacht Marina is once again providing their very generous 10% transient dockage discount for Cock Island Racers. Thank you Tidewater Yacht Marina! Contact the Race Committee for the coupon instructions and code.

Race Day

 

Race Day, Saturday, June 13, starts with the traditional Continental Breakfast at 7:30 A.M. at Tidewater Yacht Marina with the first warning horn for the Race at 9:00 A.M. off the northern end of the Portsmouth Seawall. We welcome PHRF A, B, C, N (non-spinnaker/single head-sail only) and CC NS (non-spinnaker/single head-sail only) Classes, a Non-PHRF Cruising Class (non-spinnaker/single head-sail only), a Schooner Class and a Multihull Class.

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More information can be found in the NOTICE OF RACE and in the SAILING INSTRUCTIONS. 

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The Race finishes at 3:00 P.M., whether or not you have finished, and then we go to The Party at the Portsmouth Boat Club from 4:00-9:00 P.M. The Awards Ceremony is at 6:00 P.M. 

Did we mention The Party?

Back by popular demand, the Cock Island Awards Ceremony and Party is back at Portside, at the top of the North Street Basin and Ferry Landing!

The Portside area has changed a little since the last time we were all there together, and there is no docking, anchoring or rafting allowed in North Street Basin (you will probably be fined and have your boat damaged by the HRT and Tides Ballpark Ferries), but a Great Time is still promised. If you want to re-live free dockage, feel free to tie up 1 block away in the High Street Basin and Ferry Landing.

Also back by popular demand, are the real Cock Island Rum Punch and the Michael Clark Band. The Band will take the stage at 5 PM.

So come on out and enjoy a great Race and even better times at The Party.

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Questions? Do you want 10% off transient dockage fees at Tidewater Yacht Marina? Contact the Race Committee.

Sponsors

Join us in support of SAFETY TOWN and to help continue a long outstanding sailing and fellowship event in the City of Portsmouth.  Mix and mingle with skippers and crew on Friday evening at the PBC Clubhouse, check out the race starting Saturday morning and then be sure to come to the Club on Saturday for the Awards Party.  There will be entertainment, food and libations aplenty! All Sponsors get a pre-set number of tickets for FREE food and beverages. Silver, Gold and Platinum Sponsors get a Swag Bag with additional goodies and additional FREE food and beverage tickets.

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A portion of the proceeds from this event go for the benefit of Safety Town and the Elizabeth River Project.

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Interested in more information on Sponsor Levels and benefits? More information here.

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Interested in Sponsoring? Use our On-Line Sponsor Form and pay on-line. Do you prefer to sponsor and pay by paper? Then print out this Sponsor Form and either mail it and your check to us as directed on the Form or Contact Us and someone will come out to you and pick everything up. The Portsmouth Boat Club and the Cock Island Race Committee are all about that Southern personal service!

2025 Cock Island Race Results

Hanbury Cup:  Vixen​

Rubber Chicken:  Reacher

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On-Line Racer Registration Below --

On-Line Sponsor Sign-Up Below

Thank You to Our Sponsors!

Event Sponsor

 

Skippers' Party Sponsor

Platinum Level

$1,000 +
 

Gold Level

$500
 

GARY BAHENA
AND
JEANNIE MCCOY

Silver Level

$250
 

Friend Level

$125
 

STEVE & BRENDA
TURNER

In-Kind Sponsor

 

 

Sponsor Levels & Benefits

Platinum Sponsor -- $1,000+

  • 1 Swag Bag

  • 6 T-shirts

  • 3 Hats

  • 6 Food Wristbands

  • 12 Drink Tickets

  • Listing on Sponsor Board

  • Name on Drink Cups

Silver Sponsor -- $250

  • 1 Swag Bag

  • 2 T-shirts

  • 1 Hat

  • 2 Food Wristbands

  • 4 Drink Tickets

  • Listing on Sponsor Board

Gold Sponsor -- $500

  • 1 Swag Bag

  • 4 T-shirts

  • 2 Hats

  • 4 Food Wristbands

  • 8 Drink Tickets

  • Listing on Sponsor Board

Friend -- $125

  • 1 Swag Bag

  • 1 T-shirts

  • 1 Food Wristbands

  • 2 Drink Tickets

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