Commodore's Cup

No Sailing Experience Required!

This year's Commodore's Cup is a 6-day activity taking place during the last full week of July and culminates with a formal ball at the end. This event celebrates both the sailing and social aspects of the club and stems from delightfully wacky traditions formed during the typical doldrums due to lack of wind we experience in July.

All participants are divided into teams that create their own nautically themed team name and coordinating team theme. Team names of the past include the Blue-Green Algae Blooms, The Punta Armada, Hot Tub Tech Machine, Sloop-nado, Mighty Mooring Power Sailors, Frat Bouys: Never Gonna Jib Clew Up, and the Tech-nomaniacs.

Teams compete for points in a variety of races and competitions (both sailing and non-sailing), with the winner getting their team and names inscribed on the mighty Commodore's Cup Trophy. Races occur on almost every fleet, including the windsurfing fleet, encouraging new racers and seasoned racers to enter and test their skills against other club members. Some of the competitions in the past have included the greased watermelon, the Sardine Race, the Sloop landing, and the famous All-Fleets Race, where the teams race all boats featured in the Hoofer fleet.

Each night features a social dinner in addition to a social event such as a dance clinic or protest meeting. The entire competition culminates with the Commodore's Ball--a formal dance held in the Great Hall in Memorial Union with a live band playing. At the ball, the awards are handed out and the winners are announced.

Dinner will be provided at the end of events each night with the exception of the team building scavenger hunt through downtown Madison. There will be appetizers with a cash bar at the Commodore's Cup Ball.

2023 CCup Manual

Sign Up for CCup!

Upcoming Commodore Cups

July 14-21 2023 (Ball on the 22nd)

July 19-26 2024 (Ball on the 27th),

July 18-25 2026 (Ball on the 26th)

Date + Time Event Notes
Wednesday July 12th @6PM Social/Team Meet & Greet Participants will be placed into teams and have time to come up with a team theme. Skill levels are evenly distributed across teams, but friends can request to be on the same team. This is where you get your manual for the event that includes some basic rules, descriptions of events, and other helpful info.
Friday July 14th @6PM Commodore's Cup Opening Ceremonies Come dressed in your teams theme and watch as the torch is passed to the incoming commodore by way of an enthusiastic tossing into the lake. Team Flags will be flown (and judged).Dinner will be served from 6:00PM - 8:00PM
Saturday July 15 12-6PM First Day of Events Sardine Race, Greased Watermelon, Human Battleship. Dinner will be served around 4:30/5 PM. Snacks will be placed out around mid-day.
Sunday July 16th 12-6pm Sloop Slalom, Sloop Landing, Cardboard Boat Race Dinner will be served around 4:30/5 PM. Snacks will be placed out around mid-day.
Monday July 17th 12-6PM Small Fleets, Hungry Hungry Hoofers, Chalk Art, Protest Dinner will be served @7:30PM
Tuesday July 18th 5:30-9PM Photoscavenger hunt Photoscavenger hunt starting at the Memorial Union Lakefront, along State Street, and Ending at the Argus Bar and Grill
Wednesday July 19th 5:30-9PM Best In Boat races, Paddleboard Joust Dinner will be served @7:30PM
Thursday July 20st 5:30-9PM Zests Techs and Boards, All Hands on Tech, Talent(less?) show Dinner will be served @7:30PM
Friday July 21st 5:30-9PM All Fleets Race (and final protest) Come join us on this special night as we attempt to get every boat (and some that don't) to all come together in a single race, in front of the Memorial Union Terrace. Dinner will be served @7:00PM
Saturday July 22nd 7-11:30 Commodore's Cup Ball Join us in the Great Hall of the Memorial Union, to dance the night away in style to a live jazz band (Dimensions in Sound). Formal Dress is encouraged. Appetizers with a cash bar will be available during the Ball.