30th Annual Baja Ha-Ha Photos Come Rolling In
How does this happen? December is almost here, the Baja Ha-Ha has ended, and we’re again rushing to piece the story together from the almost 120 boats that left San Diego. From what we’ve heard, it sounds like one of the most idyllic Baja Ha-Ha’s ever. The air was warm and gentle, the water flat, the fish plentiful and the fun at sea and ashore was reliable. Were there incidents? Of course, but all were managed by the collective efforts of the fleet.
In the meantime, we have lots of photos, though many are too low-res to run in print and others won’t run because we just won’t have room to run them all. We’re sharing a few more that we think won’t make it into the December issue.
If you missed the Ha-Ha but like the looks of all this, there’s no reason you can’t leave this week or next. Get yourself to San Diego, visit Trader Joe’s and Costco, take care of the paperwork (make sure you have a current TIP and don’t have an uncanceled TIP!) and then push off. All this fun and more is just south of the border.
Where is the fleet now? They’ve dispersed across Mexico from La Paz in the Sea of Cortez to Mazatlán to PV. You can follow them here. Those in La Paz will be celebrating the Baja Ha-Ha beach party on November 24 at La Costa Restaurant.
November King Tides Swamp Bay Area Foreshores
Did you notice the uber-high waters this weekend? Woody Skoriak wanted to stop by his favorite waterfront café in Sausalito on Saturday, and had to navigate the floods due to this month’s king tides.
“Johnny Cash’s song ‘Five Feet High and Rising’ was about waters rising and flooding on a farm … 2-ft high and rising, then 3-ft, 4-ft and eventually 5-ft,” Woody wrote. “Those same lyrics might have described Saturday’s king tide for November, which in this case was 7-ft high … and rising.”
“No place in Sausalito felt the flooding more than Sausalito’s Anchorage 5 Restaurant, arguably one of Sausalito’s most popular cafés, and a true local favorite,” he continued. “But when the waters rise, patrons need to do a little navigating to get there, though all agree, especially your author, that it’s worth it!”
“Other areas in Sausalito and around the Bay flooded as well, but Gate 5 Road in Sausalito still seems to remain the ‘no-go zone’ for king tides. So locals walk around from neighboring streets. Its all part of living (and dining) on the waterfront.”
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Singlehanded Sailing Society’s Final 2024 Regatta Races to Vallejo Yacht Club
The Singlehanded Sailing Society ran their final regatta of the 2024 season on hot, sunny October 5-6. Richard vonEhrenkrook and his Cal 20 Can O’Whoopass won the singlehanded race to Vallejo YC overall on Saturday.
“Conditions were precisely as forecast, and exactly not so,” says Richard, rather mysteriously. “It therefore wasn’t the drifter expected, but a supremely technical race, demanding constant perfect trim, good decisions, and occasional good luck. Saturday’s start at the Bob Klein buoy (near Southampton Shoal) featured a decent 6-8 knots from the NNW, with the fleet splitting between port tack to Richmond, taken by Scott Easom’s J/100 Eight Ball and Bren Meyer’s Wyliecat 30 Uno, and hard left on starboard, looking for the flood lane, taken by Fred Paxton on the Alerion Express 28 Zenaida.”
“The Can was inclined, after port-tacking the fleet, to go left, but when Zenaida tacked and parked on the left corner, I decided to go right with Scott and Bren. That paid at Red Rock, with good pressure and a jet of flood. Hitting the Sisters side of the San Pablo Strait. along with Donn Guay’s Newport 30 Zeehond, and followed by the Santana 22 High and Dry, we found a weird, collapsing triangle of northeast wind, bouncing down between vast expanses of glassy water, to ride all the way to the northeast end of the Pinole ship channel, where we noted the speedys languishing in glass while feverishly attempting to get north and avoid the Carquinez Strait in the flood.”
Help Protect Whales by Joining the ‘Whale Avoidance’ Online Event
We often share news about seminars that focus on sailing and general boating education or news. But we don’t recall having shared news of a seminar that focuses on whales, until now. Local sailor and Latitude friend Jim Haussener sent us the the following info.
The world is watching. Whale safety is at the forefront of people’s minds around the globe. The yachting community is in a prime position to make a difference and use knowledge and technology to lead the way in preventing whale strikes. Learn how you can do your part in whale protection.
This roundtable of experts will cover topics like:
What does it mean that whales are endangered?
What are typical whale habitats?
How can vessels find/avoid whales?
How can the yachting industry contribute to preserving whales?
Moderator: Gill Rodrigues (The International SeaKeepers Society)
Panelist: Matt Zimmerman (FarSounder)
Panelist: Vienna Eleuteri (Water Revolution Foundation)
Panelist: John Depersenaire (Viking Yachts/WAVS Taskforce)
Panelist: Amy Whitt (Azura)
Don’t miss out! Sign up now to be a part of the conversation and ultimately, the solution.
The International SeaKeepers Society promotes oceanographic research, conservation, and education through direct involvement with the yachting community. We think this seminar is worth a look.
When: December 4, 2024, 10:30 a.m. EST (7:30 a.m. PST)
Register here: https://www.farsounder.com/events/protecting-whales-role-of-yachting
“Itchy Feet” — a Great Gift for the Sailors on Your List
