Summer Solstice Event Wraps up the Sail Racing Season in La Paz
Just four short months ago 14 sailboats participated in the first annual Carnaval Regatta, a 50 mile two day event that culminated in a gunnel to gunnel finish at the Municipal Pier in La Paz in front of a Carnaval La Paz crowd of local and tourist onlookers. The event and the excitement it generated spawn the Veleros de Baja sailing club. The sole purpose of the club is sailboat racing and sailing events in the Bay of La Paz and the southern Sea. Three of the four first season events have ended in exciting gunnel to gunnel finishes in front of local spectators on the municipal pier. The final event of the inaugural season was the first annual Summer Solstice Regatta, held on June 19-21, 2010.
The three day event departed Saturday morning, June 19th, from Punta Prieta at the entrance to the Ensenada de La Paz rounded a mark and finished at Playa Pichilingue. The first day course was 8.2 miles and the race started with a late morning Corumuels from the SW. it was a slow race, close to the wind tom the first mark, but things picked up a bit as the race turned down wind to Roca Lobos.
Because the wind came up from behind the race fleet, the boats began to bunch up as they approached a 290° turn around Roca Lobos to head back to Playa Pichilingue. Nearly the entire race fleet was within a few dozen meters when the wind died and most boats lost steerage and some very tense moments ensued, but no damage resulted.
Moments later the wind returned and it was a down wind run to the finish line in Playa Pichilingue. The 52' Zeppelin crossed the line first and the last boat to cross the start, Seazure, was in second followed by Rick and crew on Karma.
Sunday started early, as the fire was lit at 7AM for the pig roast later that day. It was a fun 'longest day' at the beach, June 20th, while the pig roasted over the open beach fire. The restaurant, Luna Bruja. was our host and provided discount beer, and mixed drinks. I had opportunity to sample the food while there and found it to be very good and an excellent value, considering the remote beach location. My order was cooked to spec and presentation was very nice. The beach is good for swimming, some rocks at the waterline and shaded tables are available.
The harbor made excellent anchorage for the 14 boats that attended. Playa Pichilingue is actually "little" or "old" Pichilingue and the original anchorage for the area. it made for an excellent beach location for boating activities and cruisers should consider stopping by the Luna Bruja. High tide makes for easy beach landing, but lows can mean quite a walk to your tender.
The pig roast took a little longer than expected. A breeze that had been missing the day before kept the heat of the fire down. Diner was served up about 7PM and the dancing to "Diana y Amigos" went on until midnight. Founding Member Billy Delmer of "Yellow Star" assumed the responsibility of head pig turner and did yeoman's service in the hot summer sun of the longest day of the year, not only BBQing the pig, but himself. Robert McAlvain of L' Allegro should also be congratulated for his organizational efforts 
on behalf of the event. Special thanks to Don of the motor vessel "Sarah Ana" for the use of the power vessel as a committee boat.
The return leg and Monday morning saw two additional boats at the line and one, Pantera, a racing catamaran took of to a quick lead in the light morning air. The wind only got lighter as the day progressed and by 2PM the entire fleet was virtually stationary, about 1/2 way through the race. The early summer water was thick with algae bloom in the Bay of Cortez and I joked that "evolution was taking place faster next to the boat than we were moving." (offence intended to those readers in Kansas!) The GPS read velocity of "00.0" for more than 40min.
But a merciful afternoon breeze from the north pushed the baked fleet across the line in one of the longest 9 mile races I have ever attended. Our speed averaged just over a knot!
Pantera was first across the line, but DNSed the first leg and Rick & crew aboard Karma finished respectably. Two boats, Sunbreak and L'Allegro did not finish under sail. it was a very LONG 9 mile race. Corrected time results will be made public at the awards dinner at Perico Marinero on June 30, 6PM.
The new sailing club was started back just this February, following the very popular Carnaval Regatta a meeting was held to generate more interest in cutting loose the dock lines and getting those sailboats (and crews) out for a little exercise. The first event of the new club was a very successful "Rock to the Dock" 11 mile race on February 14th, 2010.
Five founding members, Robert McAlvain, Tom Zyber, Billy Delmer, Michel Lancon and Allison Porter contrived to form the club, with the sole charter purose of sponsoring a sailing event each month during the cruising season. Commodore McAlvain has been instrumental in generating sponsor support for the events. The first St. Patrick's Day Rock to the Dock race was sponsored in part by the BajaInsider. This weekend's event has more than 8 sponsors and more clamoring to be part of the next event. The La Paz Tourism and event the State of Baja California Sur have gotten into the act and have provided sponsorship. Each event will have a 'team captain' for planning and organization.
The Veleros de Baja Sailing Club will meet in July to plan all events for the following cruising season. There will be two types of events, sailboat races and sailing regattas. The plan will be to alternate each month a race (a single event from point to point or around a mark) and a regatta ( a multi-day event touring the Sea of Cortez) depending on the season. The 2010-2011 cruising season events will kick-off in October. the club looks to expand the horizons of sailing events with novel blending of sailing, treasure hunts, road rally style events and more. If you have suggestions for events in 2010-2011 or would like to lead or sponsor or you would like more information regarding up coming events and membership in Veleros de Baja please visit their website.
www.veleosdebaja.com