Crossing the Bar to Get to the Party

Three years ago when organizers first announced plans for an annual El Salvador Rally at the coastal resort Bahia del Sol, the concept left some cruisers scratching their heads. "You mean we can show up anytime between early March and the end of April and still join in the fun?" asked one befuddled sailor.

That’s exactly right. Unlike more structured rallies like the Baja Ha-Ha, the ARC or the Caribbean 1500, this annual cruiser migration to El Salvador was set up to encourage boaters who might otherwise have passed by the area to spend some time in the Bay’s protected waters, while becoming familiar with the attractions of the resort and the surrounding area. 

One reason many cruisers had previously steered clear of this area was because of its notorious bar crossing, which can be a bit hair-raising if attempted without local knowledge. But these days each boat is escorted across the bar by a local expert riding atop a Jet Ski. As a result, few boats hesitate to enter these days. And when they arrive during rally season they have the option of taking part in as many rally-related activities as they wish. The list includes: surfing seminars, dugout canoe races, Central America touring seminars, handline fishing contest, in-pool happy hour, blind dinghy racing, a trip to an exotic reptile farm and much more. We hope to cover the Closing Celebration April 29, and bring you a complete report on the fun afterwards.