Cowes Radio, the longest running Special Event Radio Station in the UK celebrates its 25th birthday during the forthcoming Cowes Week regatta-July 31 to August 7.
Already an award winning station and integral part of Cowes Week this year sees the station
streamed on the internet around the world at
www.cowesradio.co.uk as well as listened to by many thousands of competitors and spectators in and around Cowes.
Cowes Week Radio broadcasts, on 87.7fm, through speakers on Cowes Parade and the Green as well as through personal earpieces on the boats. Reporting and programme content provides a mix of regatta highlights, interviews and entertainment. More crucial information is included for competitors, with dedicated and detailed local weather reports, tide times and the all-important race results being broadcast.
Throughout each day, a major highlight is the opportunity to listen in to the live, on-water commentary from Dick Johnson on all the sailing action with minute-by-minute information ‘fed’ to competitors from a fully instrumented commentary boat and Simon Vigar in a privileged position on the Royal Yacht Squadron platform.
25 years ago when Dick Johnson was at Yachting World the first Restricted Service Radio Licences were created for short-term use at sporting events. Having studied the small print the bigger arena of the Solent and Cowes Week came into view. The Radio Authority admitted this might have been outside the intention of the new licences, but was within the wording. Regatta Organisers, Cowes Combined Clubs (CCC), immediately saw how radio could enhance the event for the participants and help the organisers. Approval from the Royal Yacht Squadron was secured.
At this time Dick knew only one person in radio - Steve Ancsell who hosted a weekly sailing and boating programme. Steve ‘s media company Airwaves had the expertise and equipment that enabled the first Cowes Radio broadcast in 1985.
Although the official radio station appointed by CCC, it remains independent of the organisers of Cowes Week and survives through its sponsors and advertisers.