The 2014 Aberdeen Asset Management Cowes Week enabled more members of public than ever to try their hand at sailing.

More than 450 people took to the water for taster sessions on Colgate 26 keelboats run by the official event charity UKSA.

Each participant was asked to donate £5 towards the UKSA’s scheme to enable every Year 6 primary school child on the Isle of Wight to experience watersports – some 1,600 pupils.

The historic yachting event was established in 1826 and has run every August since – except for during the two world wars.

Big names participating in this year’s regatta included Princess Anne, Pippa Middleton, Olympian Heather Fell, actor Warwick Davis and rising stars in the British Sailing Team.

The UKSA’s Boss up a Mast fundraiser has also proved successful with 15 managing directors and company chief executives being winched up a 100ft mast with their mobile phones and not allowed back down until their contacts pledged donations.

Cowes Week 2014 raised more than £33,000 for UKSA.

UKSA CEO Richard Thornton said: ‘’It’s been absolutely brilliant.’

Olympian Heather Fell joined the crew of one of the UKSA Farr 65 yachts, Whirlwind II.

Heather, who claimed silver in the Modern Pentathlon at the Beijing 2008 Games, said: ‘The more young people we can give the opportunity to sail to, the better, as it is a sport you can do at any level.’

The UKSA provides training courses for all ages from beginner water sports enthusiasts to superyacht engineers.

Cowes Week 2014 marked the 80th anniversary of the Victory Class and a special Victory Race was held.

Shoreside events included live music, Gutter Boat Racing and a chance to climb the mast of the iconic Gipsy Moth IV, while a 100ft Ferris wheel gave visitors a bird’s eye view of the action.