Sail Tahiti Takes Over Pacific Puddle Jump
The Pacific Puddle Jump (PPJ) has changed captains and will now be organized by Sail Tahiti. From summer 2025, the new Pacific Puddle Jump website will offer free access to content covering everything from preparing the boat for the crossing to tips for discovering Polynesia off the beaten track.
The Pacific Puddle Jump is a major transpacific sailing event created by Andy Turpin and Latitude 38. Since 1997 more than 4,000 vessels from all over the world have joined the rally to make the jump across the Pacific from the West Coast of the Americas to the archipelagos of French Polynesia. To support the PPJ, Sail Tahiti founders David Allouch and Nikki Puttergill are strengthening their maintenance and service team with new qualified technicians to work with new technologies such as Starlink, PredictWind, and Beneteau’s Seanapps.
What does this mean for Puddle Jumpers? We understand that sailors will have access to high-quality support, including weather monitoring, technical assistance, advice on discovering the islands and protecting the atolls, meetings and social networking. So, pretty much what they had in the past, but perhaps with some significant upgrades. There are also plans for partnerships with nautical equipment manufacturers, boat builders, and specialists in digital technology and race tracking in the coming months.
From January 2026, the the PPJ will offer packages, such as a free package enabling participants to display their boat’s position to other participants and friends and family; a classic package also offering real-time display of the boat’s data and a whole library of content, video tutorials, guides to discovering the Polynesian islands, etc.; and finally, a premium package including routing, remote technical assistance, pre-departure technical checks, and a concierge service.
“Andy Turpin, the creator of the Pacific Puddle Jump in 1997, wanted to hand over the reins and ensure that this historic rally would not only live on (there are an average of 200 boats taking part every year) but would also attract a new generation of yachtsmen, perhaps a little less experienced in terms of sailing but eager to meet new people and enjoy cultural and sporting experiences. For us, it was the logical extension of our activity; since since 2017 we have been accompanying all those who wish to discover Polynesia by boat,” David Allouch said.
Allouch added that utilizing new communication and tracking technologies will help Sail Tahiti provide a level of service that does not currently exist in the rally world. “We’re also going to strengthen interaction within the sailing community thanks to the new types of social networks dedicated to yachting.”
Learn more about the PPJ here.
Learn more about Sail Tahiti’s PPJ takeover here.
As a former Puddle Jumper I wish Andy Turpin well. He put a lot of heart and effort in supporting this yearly event and I hope Sail Tahiti is not just about commercially exploiting this group of hearty and adventurous sailors. All the Best Horst
Formerly S/V Pacific Star
Nearly every sailor who has crossed the Pacific to French Polynesia owes Andy thanks as he has done so much for the cruising community. He’s never put himself forward or tried to make himself a star like others have done. He’s worked hard for cruisers for decades. Thanks, Andy!