Short Sightings — News Bites From Around the Waterfront
Race, cruise, sail and sing. There’s lots of sailing on the Bay, along with sea chanteys starting up again along the Oakland shoreline. It’s hard to keep up with it all. If you haven’t found a reason to sail, you might want look at some of the events and activities below.
Laughing All the Way to Mexico — the 30th Annual Baja Ha-Ha
Sign-ups for the 30th annual Baja Ha-Ha opened yesterday at noon, and in less than 24 hours, there were almost 60 boats signed up! Number one on the list are Zac Singer and Karina Velasco with their Andrews 56 Encore. Zac is founder of SailMS, which aims to empower folks challenged by multiple sclerosis. While most boats hail from California, there are folks signed up from British Columbia, North Carolina, Toronto, ON, Oregon and Washington. It’s just the beginning. You can see the full list of boats already signed up here. The Ha-Ha starts from Shelter Island in San Diego on Monday, November 4. But sign up now to make sure you receive all the mailings along with the First Timer’s Guide to help you over the border on your sail south. You can sign up here.
St. Francis Yacht Club Invites US Clubs to Race in Sailing Leagues Regatta
St. Francis Yacht Club invites interested yacht clubs based in the United States to race in an inaugural Sailing League Regatta in San Francisco. The Sailing Champions League organizes high-level club-vs.-club fleet racing throughout Europe and Australia. Currently, over 500 different yacht clubs compete in the series, which is focused on spectator-friendly events.
As the league expands into the United States, St. Francis Yacht Club will be running a two-day pilot event on June 8–9, in its fleet of J/22s. All clubs are welcome to send a crew to compete at this unique event. It’s coming up fast. You can see the Notice of Race here.
Quinn’s Lighthouse Reopens
No sooner had we reported on the closing of the popular waterfront watering hole, Quinn’s Lighthouse at Embarcadero Cove in Oakland, than we got word that it’s reopening. Reader John Palme, who appeared in the photo in our February story identified as “Name Unknown (guitar in back),” alerted us to a story in Berkeleyside saying a new owner is stepping up. Palme said, “The current version of the sea shanty band was back there last night, May 9, from 8–10 p.m. It’s kind of a trial run. Hopefully, it will lead to a regular gig, but nothing is set just yet.” We’ll hope it continues so you can sing along next time.
Opening Day South Bay
While most all of the Bay’s sailors and yacht clubs celebrated Opening Day on the Bay on Sunday, April 28, the South Bay Yacht Club is marching to a different drummer. Reader Dean McCully of SBYC sent a note to remind us that they are celebrating Opening Day this Sunday, May 12, alongside Mother’s Day. It happens at noon with boat rides and a parade of boats preceded by a 10 a.m.–12 noon brunch. Learn more here.
Free Sailing at Alameda Community Sailing Center
Alameda Community Sailing Center (ACSC) has thrown its hat into the ring to join other Bay Area organizations inviting the world sailing on the June 22 Summer Sailstice weekend. Located on the western shore of Alameda, ACSC will be getting out their boats and hosting free sailing and a BBQ. It’s a free event open to all. Bring the kids, invite friends, and check out sailing the Bay at ACSC. Learn more here.
You can find more on Latitude 38’s calendar page.