Beer Can Challenge in September
On Monday, ‘Lectronic Latitude brought you a report and some fab photos of Sausalito Yacht Club’s Tuesday night race. That unusual choice of a weeknight is a key component in making Latitude 38’s Beer Can Challenge possible.
"Well, it looks like there are only two weeks in September that the Beer Can Races line up to be able to race five Beer Cans in five consecutive days at five different yacht clubs," writes reigning King of the Beer Cans, Roger Ruud. "Bay View Boat Club is the only one to race on Monday (San Francisco, 9/4 and 9/18); Sausalito YC is the only one to race on Tuesday (9/5 and 9/19); on Wednesday, it’s Richmond YC or Vallejo YC (9/6 and 9/20); Benicia YC has the only Thursday race (9/7 and 9/21). On Friday, Berkeley YC is the only cub to race (9/8 and 9/22)."
©2017Latitude 38 Media, LLC
Do you have what it takes to complete the Beer Can Challenge? Let us know; there’s a Latitude 38 T-shirt in it for you, as well as 15 minutes of fame in recognition of your accomplishment.
Baseball Improvement in Turtle Bay
©2017Latitude 38 Media, LLC
The fantastic astroturf baseball field at Turtle Bay is, as recent Ha-Ha vets know, the most upscale facility not only of its kind, but any kind between Ensenada and Cabo San Lucas.
It is also home to Baja’s biggest baseball game of the year, the Cruisers versus Mexican Kids softball game, one of the highlights of each Baja Ha-Ha. It’s a bit of an unusual game, as there are often 35 people on the field, every batter swings until they get a hit, and the participants range in age from about two to 82. All sexes participate, too.
In keeping with the continuing improving baseball facilities in Turtle Bay, Mike Chase of San Diego is donating a Jugs M1500 Jr. Baseball/Softball Pitching Machine to Turtle Bay. We’re sure the baseball ultra-enthusiasts will love it.
The machine may or may not be used during the Cruisers versus Mexico Kids baseball game, as the Wanderer, who has an ERA of over 10,000, is slowly recovering from Tommy John surgery.
There are currently 126 paid entries for the Baja Ha-Ha, which means there is still room for you. You can sign up at www.baja-ha.com. Right after signing up, you might want to take a break from working on your boat to working on your baseball skills.
Ad: Save the Waters You Love
Opposite of Ships Passing in the Night
"What do you do when you cross paths with cruising friends in the middle of the ocean and you’re headed in different directions?” asked Lewis Allen and Alyssa Alexopulous of the Redwood City and Fiji-based Voyage 43 catamaran Quixotic.
They were faced with the question while sailing from Taveuni: Their friends, David and Amy on the catamaran Starry Horizons, were sailing the other way, to Taveuni.
"The answer is simple," the couple said. “You heave to and paddle over for a cold one!" So Lewis and Alyssa got onto their paddleboard, took a few strokes over to Starry Horizons, and shared a drink with their friends. Before leaving, David took a photo of the two boats.
©2017Latitude 38 Media, LLC
You may remember that Lewis and Alyssa spent almost all their money and worked their butts off for a very long time restoring a tropical storm-damaged Voyage 43 catamaran in Fiji. Their plan was to make it all pay off by chartering the boat.
The list of people who have tried to make a go of chartering is surely one of the longest in the world. But Lewis and Alyssa report they’ve been doing great, and are almost completely booked for the season.
It’s great to see hardworking ‘kids’ succeed.
Bowperson of the Week
In our occasional ode to the lone, brave soul who ventures to the pointy end of the boat to take care of business, we bring you a scene from spring time racing on the Bay. To all the bowmen, women and people out there, we love what you do. Keep keeping those sails flying.
