News Cowes Classic: A fundraiser across the decades The Cowes Classic started in 1993 as a fundraiser for the footy and surf clubs. by . Published February 04, 2025 Link copied! Copy failed! Simon Manning (left) has helped run the Cowes Classic for 30 years and been a competitor for two decades, while John Weston was one of the founders of the event in 1993. Updated September 03, 2025 11:11 pm | 4 months ago Link copied! Copy failed!