PORTSMOUTH BOAT CLUB
Racing
Although perhaps best known for its famous and highly popular Cock Island Race (Race to Cock Island), the Club's racing scene includes its popular and informal Barnacles Race series in Spring and Summer/Fall and its new (in 2025) Amazing Race and Scavenger Hunt.
Go to Cock Island Race website
Barnacle Series
Local humor notes that sailboat racing in Portsmouth started the first time there were two sailboats on the Elizabeth River at the same time.
Unlike many organizations where hard-nosed competition is the rule, the Portsmouth Boat Club likes to promote a friendly, more laid back and casual racing atmosphere.
As such we encourage racing on the Elizabeth by promoting the Barnacle Regatta. This Regatta began as local marina races run informally for bragging rights and fun. Today the races feature 7-17 boats from the Boat Club, other yacht clubs and private individuals. The races are a relaxed, beginner-friendly series designed for both first-time racers and seasoned sailors. The races are held as a Spring Series and a Summer/Fall Series starting in April and running into September (see Notice of Race below for current dates). If two boats show up, we have a race. If enough boats show up, we have classes and multiple winners. All races are held on Saturday mornings at 10:00 AM and are open to any sailboat at least 20 feet in length on deck. The start/finish line is located just off the Portsmouth Seawall. Courses are typically chosen to bring us back to the Clubhouse by noon, where we fire up the grill and enjoy good food, great fellowship, and plenty of sailing stories.
Skippers are encouraged to register prior to the races, however late entry can be anytime up to 1 hour before the race warning gun. One of the best liked features of the regatta is the $25 low entry fee.
Come join in the fun.
Amazing Race
The inaugural Amazing Race took place in 2025 and the Race at once became a hit with what promises to be a long history at the Club.
Think the "Amazing Race" TV show, a scavenger hunt and a good ol' fashioned poker run, all mixed in with costumes and, since this is a PBC event, prizes, food, beverages and a great time.
The Amazing Race welcomes sailboaters and powerboaters. The Race begins with a canon start off the Portsmouth Seawall while skippers head to one of various designated spots along the Elizabeth River, on the Portsmouth and Norfolk waterfronts, in search of answers to clues. The Race starts at 10:00, ends promptly at Noon and imposes a 5 knot per hour speed limit. Some clues are existing waterfront features, some have been specially planted for the Race and some are alive and hiding in the briny deep of the River. The Race ends at Noon.
Then racers gather at the Clubhouse for prizes -- including based upon costumes -- food, beverages and fun. Prize points are awarded based upon the number of correctly answered clues, the size of a boat's crew, the number of crew in costume and anything else someone can think of.
Stay tuned for details on the 2026 Amazing Race.