2011 Puddle Jump Plans Announced

Although the prime season for ‘jumping the puddle’ from the west coast of the Americas to French Polynesia is still six months away, a wide variety of international cruisers are already psyching up for the 3,000-mile crossing. With that in mind, it’s time for us to announce our tentative schedule of Pacific Puddle Jump rally activities.

October 23, 2010 — Many sailors who are initiated into the cruising lifestyle by joining the Baja Ha-Ha rally eventually jump the puddle to the South Pacific. So we’ve scheduled a free Pacific Puddle Jump rally seminar in San Diego, just prior to the start of this year’s Ha-Ha activities: Saturday, October 23, 5 p.m. inside West Marine (1250 Rosecrans). Our digital slide show and informational handouts will introduce attendees to issues relating to the passage from the West Coast to French Polynesia, and inter-island cruising there.

January, 2011 — As in years past, a series of free seminars on Puddle Jump issues will be held from January through April at both the Vallarta YC, in the Paradise Village Resort, and at the Marina Riviera Nyarite in La Cruz.

January 22, 2011 — Informational seminar at the Seattle Boat Show on Tahiti and the Pacific Puddle Jump.

February 4, 2011 — Latitude‘s annual Vallarta Pacific Puddle Jump Kickoff Party will be held at the Vallarta YC (co-sponsored by the Club); 2-5 pm. Multimedia presentation, plus snacks, drinks, party games and prizes. All participants will be interviewed for profiles in Latitude 38.

Late February, 2011 — Latitude‘s annual Panama Pacific Puddle Jump Kickoff Party will be held at the Balboa YC (co-sponsored by the Club); date and time TBA. Cruising info, snacks, drinks, party games and prizes.

April 16, 2011 — Informational seminar at the Strictly Sail Pacific Boat Show on Tahiti and the Pacific Puddle Jump.

June 24-26, 2011 — Sixth annual Tahiti-Moorea Sailing Rendezvous is a three-day event aimed at celebrating the fleet’s safe arrival, while introducing sailors to aspects of traditional Polynesian culture, including music, dance, sport and cuisine. All visiting cruisers are welcome to this grand event which is put on for arriving cruisers by Tahiti Tourism, the Papeete Port Authority and several other partners including Latitude 38.

Potential ‘jumpers’ can register with us online for this year’s rally beginning on September 15. We anticipate that all registered boats will be eligible to secure a Tahitian bond exemption, clearance, and duty-free fuel at a very attractive rate through our Tahitian contacts. The site also has information on past fleets and an archive of downloadable Puddle Jump Recap articles which contain crossing data for many participating boats. The Recap piece on the 2010 fleet will appear in the September edition of Latitude 38 and also online at the site.