Thirteen young sailors from King's enjoyed a remarkable week of racing and adventure during the half-term break, travelling to the beautiful island of Spetses, Greece, to compete in the inaugural LVCC Keelboat Regatta.

Led by Head of Sailing Brian Mumford and supported by a dedicated team of King's sailing coaches, the group took on a new challenge in Rhodes 19 keelboats, with crews of three sailors per boat. The week began with two days of familiarisation and training before racing got underway in earnest on Tuesday.

Joining King's was a small contingent of sailors from Stowe School, allowing full use of the six keelboats generously provided by Spetses Yacht Club. For many competitors, it was their first experience of keelboat racing, but the progress, teamwork and confidence shown throughout the week were exceptional.

Over the course of four days, sailors completed nine races, including a demanding long-distance race and eight highly competitive short-course races. Conditions could hardly have been better. Spetses is renowned for its reliable winds, warm sunshine and crystal-clear waters, which remained a pleasant 20°C throughout the week, providing an outstanding backdrop for racing.

The competition produced a thrilling finale. Going into the final day, three King's crews were all in contention for the overall title. Following an intense final race, the result was too close to call, and sailors anxiously awaited the official standings at the prize-giving ceremony held at the Grand Poseidon Hotel. When the scores were announced, King's crews had achieved an extraordinary clean sweep of the podium, securing first, second and third place overall. Even more impressively, just a single point separated the winning crew from those tied in second and third, capping off an outstanding week of racing and a tremendous achievement for all involved!

Beyond the regatta itself, the trip provided countless memorable moments. Sailors rose early to watch the sunrise from the island's amphitheatre, enjoyed refreshing morning swims in the Aegean Sea, and explored the charming, car-free streets of Spetses. 

This exceptional opportunity would not have been possible without the generosity and support of Spetses Yacht Club and a King's parent, whose contribution made the entire experience possible. We are enormously grateful to them for their support, thank you.

Sailing at King's

King's has long enjoyed a strong reputation for sailing, with pupils regularly competing at regional, national and international levels across a wide range of disciplines. The programme continues to provide opportunities for sailors of all abilities to develop their skills, build confidence and experience competition on some of the world's finest waters.

That passion for sailing extends well beyond school life. The OKS community includes many former pupils who have remained actively involved in the sport, whether through competitive racing, coaching, yacht ownership or sailing administration. It is a vibrant and supportive network, and one which continues to play an important role in championing sailing at King's.

If you would like to get involved, please get in touch with the Development Team. We would love to hear from you.