About Us
The Island Sailing Club was founded in 1889 as an alternative to some of the more exclusive sailing clubs being established in Cowes. Affectionately known as ‘The Friendly Club’, the Club has a rich history in yachting and racing and offers a wide range of sailing and social activities for all preferences and abilities.
The Club organises the annual Round the Island Race, a one-day yacht race around the Isle of Wight. Regularly attracting around 1500 boats and around 15,000 sailors, Round the Island Race is one of the largest yacht races in the world and the fourth largest sporting participation event in the UK. A member of Cowes Combined Clubs, the Club helps organise Cowes Week – one of the oldest and most prestigious regattas in the world. Over seven days in August, Cowes Week offers a mix of competitive and social activities regularly attracting around 1000 boats and around 10,000 sailors. Competitors range from Olympic and world-class professional to weekend sailors.
Each summer, the Club meets members of the Royal Southern Yacht Club for a ‘quintessentially English’ match of cricket on the Brambles Sandbar in the Solent.
Admiral & ISC Board
Admiral
Major General Sir Martin White KCVO CB CBE JP
Flag Officers And Directors
Tim Devlin
Commodore
First and foremost, this Club is, and should be, an association of friends and people with common interest in sailing and water-borne activities. We welcome visiting yachtsmen and women and provide a focal point for other Clubs to entertain while in Cowes. The ISC is a historic Club, in existence since 1889, the home of the Round the Island Race and one of the organising clubs for Cowes week. We look forward to seeing our many mainland Members and providing a congenial atmosphere for our many activities on and off the water during the year. New members are always welcome.
Ian Pretty
Vice Commodore
Board Portfolio: Future Club strategy, commercial partnerships, communications and business development.
After moving to Cowes in 2015, I developed an interest in sailing. The Island Sailing Club allowed me to further explore this interest through a variety of social gatherings, where I met a lot of friendly faces. The Club is an incredible place for sailors – irrespective of expertise – to meet, share their passions, and learn from each another.
Thanks to the Club, I am now an avid racer and participate in major sailing events across the country.
Kieran Ward
Rear Commodore, Sailing
Board Portfolio: Development of strategy towards younger members.
I am a passionate sailor, having sailed since my early teens. I was lucky enough to be given the opportunity to crew on a yacht despite my very little experience at the time, everything I have learnt has been taught by fellow sailors or learnt through trial and error. I now want to start to give that knowledge back by utilising the plethora of highly skilled sailors, resources and facilities we have at the Club and in Cowes. I look forward to helping the Club grow and encouraging the next generation of sailors.
Trine Kvinnesland
Rear Commodore
Board Portfolio: Property management of the Club’s estate.
Trine Kvinnesland is a retired solicitor who lives in Cowes. She is a keen Tuesday and Thursday night sailor and well known to many members of the Club.
Antony Sweet
Treasurer
Board Portfolio: Financial strategy and management.
I joined the Island Sailing Club as Treasurer in 2019. Prior to that, I had visited the Club on many occasions, as my wife is a member and a very experienced sailor. The Club plays an important part in Cowes and UK sailing more generally and, as Treasurer, I’m pleased to play a role in ensuring that is maintained.
Maureen Wroath
Director, House
Board Portfolio: Clubhouse activities including membership, event and development of benefits for members. The Vice Commodore also deputises for the Commodore.
Having been married to a former Commodore, I’ve been involved in the Island Sailing Club for many happy years. It gives me great pleasure to see the Club full on social occasions, and see so many friends, both old and new, enjoying themselves. I hope Members will enjoy the refurbished Clubhouse throughout the sailing season ahead.
Phil Cracknell
Director
Board Portfolio: Club sailing activities including the Round the Island Race, Cowes Week, other annual regattas and activities to get people out on the water.
I have been a member of the Club for many years and been involved in many voluntary activities. It’s an honour to serve on the Board of Directors and be able to make improvements for the members. It’s been a particular pleasure to help steer the Club through incorporation and to see us back in the ‘black’ and gaining new Members again.
Club Professional Team
Kate Case
General Manager
I grew up next to the water and the Island Sailing Club has always had a very special place in my heart; it’s an extension of my home and family.
I love working at the Club; everyone is passionate about it and everything it represents. We all feel very responsible for protecting and preserving the Club’s heritage and ensuring everyone who interacts with the Club has an enjoyable and memorable experience.
David Flanders
Front of House Manager
With my love of sailing and the sea, and a passion for food and excellent service – the cornerstone of my profession – it was only natural that I joined the Island Sailing Club. This Club means a lot to me; from the rich sailing heritage to the many great childhood memories of visiting with my grandparents during Cowes Week. I’m very proud to be part of such an amazing organisation.
Abby Bird
Operations & RIR Officer
I was drawn away from another Solent-based yacht club because the chance to work for the team behind the world-famous Round the Island Race was too hard to resist.
The Club really is the friendliest yacht club in Cowes and holds a very special place in my heart. The team are great and we all enjoy coming to work together every day.
Emma Ball
Membership & Benefits Officer
The Island Sailing Club is an exceptional organisation and one that I feel privileged to be a part of. Cowes Week is one of my favourite times of year; watching the regattas and seeing the island come alive brings me so much joy.
I think it’s important to preserve the Club’s heritage; I’m immensely proud that the Island Sailing Club was one of the first clubs to accept female members and have a female Commodore.