Blackened Santa Rosa Island Reopens to Visitors, With Overnight Restrictions Continuing
After a devastating wildfire and a closure lasting more than six weeks, Santa Rosa Island in the Channel Islands National Park reopened to visitors on July 1. While day-use access is allowed, overnight camping remains shut down through August 13, pending a review later this month. The park acknowledges that full recovery from the 18,379-acre fire will take years.
“We know visitors are eager to return to Santa Rosa Island, and we are working carefully to restore safe public access while protecting park resources,” Park Superintendent Ethan McKinley said in a press release. “Opening the island for day use is an important step, but additional work is needed before overnight camping can resume.”
The wildfire began after the 54-ft sailing vessel Wet Vette became disabled and ran aground on Santa Rosa’s southern shore on Thursday, May 14, according to SFGATE, which obtained video of the vessel on fire while beached. The yacht is seen with no mainsail and a partially furled jib flapping uncontrollably while thick black smoke and fire pour out of the main hatch.
The 67-year-old singlehanded sailor fled the flames to shore, staying overnight as his vessel burned. He reportedly set off flares the next day to alert fishing vessels and the Coast Guard about the fire and his need for rescue. He was airlifted on Friday, May 15, which is also the official start date for the fire. The flares do not appear to be the cause of the wildfire, and no charges have been filed.
“The boat owner and insurance company are standing by to mitigate any debris,” Carson Shevitz of TowBoatUS affiliate Channel Watch Marine Services told Latitude 38.
Shevitz said the National Park Service has not allowed his team access to the site, but once they can go in, they are ready to cut up the wreckage and either float it off in sling bags or hoist it away via helicopter.
He added, “I don’t think there’s going to be much boat left.”
ACCESSING SANTA ROSA ISLAND BY PRIVATE BOAT
Mariners anchoring off the coast can now once again access the island, but be aware the southwestern half is blackened and charred, with unstable ground and questionable trail conditions. Access to islands in the Channel Islands National Park does not require a permit, as long as mariners are not staying overnight.
Restrictions on land include normal seasonal closures of beaches and sand dunes from Skunk Point to just north of East Point from March 1 to September 15, to protect the snowy plover. Hikers are asked to remain on wet sand below high tide, or on the roads throughout the nesting area. Beaches around Sandy Point are closed year-round.
What is available to mariners is the pier in Becher’s Bay; however no mooring cans are available there. The buoys are reserved for official vessels only. Other restrictions on land and around the pier may exist because of the fire damage. Mariners are advised to hail rangers on channel 16 on approach to ask about current conditions.
West Coast Team Wins Youth World Match Racing Championship
From June 21 through June 25, 12 youth teams from 11 different countries made their way to Middelfart, Denmark, to compete for the Youth Match Racing World Championships. The lone American team was a California-based group, sailing under the burgee of Newport Harbor Yacht Club (NHYC) with Morgan Pinckney at the helm. Racing with him were Kelly Holtus, Cam Spriggs, Jacob Posner and Alice Schmid.
The racing was tight throughout the round robin, with five teams (including NHYC) sitting at 8-3, and Australia, with Daniel Kemp at the helm, at 9-2. Teams were battling not only each other, but also the massive heat wave that has been sweeping through northern Europe as of late.
Pinckney, who is entering his senior year on the Yale sailing team, led his crew to defeat the British team, led by Jamie Tylecote, three wins to nil in the quarterfinals, and then bested the French team led by Marin Micoulot in similarly dominant fashion. This set up a final showdown with Daniel Kemp and the Aussie crew. The Aussies won the first race of the best-of-five final. NHYC then won the next two. Kemp battled back to take race four and force a decisive race five, which was won by the Southern Californians.
“Even though we got the start right and the umpires gave Daniel a penalty, I got a little nervous on the first beat, and he reeled us back in,” Pinckney says, per the regatta’s official press release. “He got ahead and killed his penalty, then we got ahead just before the last windward mark and managed to stay in the lead until the end, thanks to great crew work. I am so happy to be sailing with these guys.”
Latitude 38 July Issue Out Now
If the first weekend of summer sailing on the solstice (the Sailstice) didn’t get you ready to sail more, the July issue, the 4th of July, the Pacific Cup and the welcoming arms of the Delta should help you discover ample reasons to spend more time on your boat.
This issue includes the second installment of Jonathan Livingston’s balls-to-the-wall account of a doublehanded Pacific Cup race and shakedown to Hawaii; a story on why anchors are a central feature of the sailing life and why Clipper Cove is the perfect place to use them; Andy Schwenk’s definitive guide on who stands to win the Pacific Cup; Andy Newell’s Duxbury Lightship MOB; a four-page spread on the 2026 Master Mariners Regatta; and more on sailors doing what they love. Here’s a preview.
An Epic E27 Shakedown to Hawaii — Part 2
A thousand miles from land and any other meaningful obstacle, Gary Clifford and I were racing an invisible opponent called “the Squall Lord,” who, as far as I could tell, had both a cruel sense of humor and an advanced degree in personal humiliation. The scoreboard — yes, we had a scoreboard — was scrawled in grease pencil on the cockpit bulkhead. On one side: the Squall Lord. On the other hand, our noble, questionably managed vessel, Light’n Up. At that moment, we were ahead, which felt less like victory and more like a clerical error.
Who’s on First?
Did we win? Are we winning? These comments almost guarantee this individual is competing in a sailboat regatta. The Pacific Cup was first sailed to Hawaii in 1980, envisioned as “The Fun Race to Hawaii.” It has easily lived up to this founding motto. The Pacific Cup (Pac Cup) has been held in every even-numbered year since, except for COVID-2020. It has provided folks from around the world an alternative to the legendary Transpac. Pac Cup is about 175 miles longer than Transpac, via the great circle route. Generally, it is more about precise navigation than straight-line, hair-on-fire boat speed.
MOB Rescue In Duxbury Lightship Race
At around 12:45 p.m., Ahi was hit by a large wave, which broke over the boat. Before Ahi had righted herself, another larger wave broke over our starboard side, washing this writer completely overboard. The crew reports that Ahi rolled 90 degrees or more. Nearly everything at the top of the mast was lost or damaged.
I don’t remember seeing the wave before it hit, but once it did, I remember being amid the water before I actually hit the water.
Plus this month’s regular columns:
Letters: A story of a death-defying sail to Half Moon Bay in a 26-ft Thunderbird 44 years ago; letters on allegedly sexist writing; West Marine bankruptcy; the fire on Santa Rosa Island; the shallow end of the pool at San Francisco Marina; and stacks more readers’ letters.
Sightings: A Treasure of an Anchorage; A Shakespearean America’s Cup; The Story of Snipe; and more.
Max Ebb: “Hot tub Hydro”
Racing Sheet: July’s edition of the racing sheet highlights an escape into the warm Delta waters via the 2026 Delta Ditch Run, a West Coast legend’s win in the Spinnaker Cup, and some J/105 and Express 37 drama at the EYC One Design. We then visit Santa Cruz and the I-14 fleet’s continued revival and the Farallones for a singlehanded race, and highlight two Bay Area yacht club teams who will be representing the West Coast in Northern Germany via the Sailing League. We hope you enjoy the July 2026 Racing Sheet. Sail fast!
Changes in Latitudes: It’s Pacific Puddle Jump time! This month we have reports from Kehaulani’s “relentless and magical” trip to the Marquesas; Aisling’s post-Baja Ha-Ha adventures; Hemisphere Dancer’s Pacific crossing; and even some PPJ-related Cruise Notes.
Plus, see all the latest in sailboats and sailboat gear for sale in Classy Classifieds.
Our drivers caught up with locals while delivering the July issue to Bay Area locations yesterday.
Pick up your copy from your nearest distributor.
Premier Vessel Care at Safe Harbor
Tina Roberts and ‘Ragtime’ Crew Ready for Pacific Cup
With the 2026 Pacific Cup just around the corner, we’re continuing our Pac Cup profile series highlighting some of the sailors and teams racing to Hawaii in this year’s event. Today we’re featuring Tina Roberts and her 1963 Spencer 65 Ragtime.
This will be Tina Roberts’ first Pacific Cup race, and her first passage across the Pacific Ocean. “[W]e didn’t make Transpac 2025 for unfortunate circumstances,” Tina tells us. “Ragtime, hailing from Honolulu, HI, knows her way home — we just point her west. She’s a hard horse to keep in the barn!”
Ragtime will race under the banners of St. Francis Yacht Club and Long Beach Yacht Club, with Tina and crew Keith Kilpatrick, Ernie Richau, Eric Heim, Dustin Durant, Will Suto, James “Hippie” Clappier and Austin Book. “Together this team has 50+ Pacific Ocean crossings and 80,000+ miles of ocean racing. I am blessed and lucky to have such an amazing crew,” Tina says. “Sailing Ragtime is hard compared to newer boats. On a downwind leg she might have three poles hanging from the mast — spinnaker pole, reaching strut and whisker pole. A lot of hardware to get right — and wrong. At only 11-ft 5-in wide, she’s a skinny boat to move around, and keeping her light is a challenge. The crew are experts at handling all of her characteristics — and still love racing her! They are part of history.”
Tina says Ragtime is best known for sailing the Transpacific Race dating back to 1973, and is proud to have some “fun” in the sun with the Pacific Cup 2026. “The beautiful course from San Francisco to Hawaii, the many delicious stories, and the motivational history of the Pacific Cup are just a few of the inspirations that make us want to participate. We can’t wait to sail with Merlin, [whom] we consider our kindred sister of the ULDB sleds. Special mention and shout-out to Pyewacket and Roy, who stoically are always an inspiration.”
The Ragtime skipper is a pilot, and says the segue into sailing is very natural — “wings, wind and weather.” However, despite having sailed casually since college, Tina has not sailed competitively. “Ragtime was Chris Welsh’s number-one girl,” she adds. “When he passed away unexpectedly in 2021 I couldn’t part with her and have chosen to keep her legacy alive for the next generation by presenting her in action to the world as often as possible.”
Tina is most looking forward to the camaraderie among the crew. “We have lots of serious sailing discussions followed by cracking jokes, all in 10 minutes. I work the runners on the boat and do all the cooking. Food can be a huge motivator on day six or seven.”
And while she’s rarely nervous on the water or afraid of anything, Tina recognizes that catastrophic failure of any kind can change lives. “Redundancy and safety is our motto — from entering the race to bringing the boat safely back to her slip in SoCal.”
We wish Ragtime fair winds and a safe race. Stay tuned for more Pac Cup profiles as we sail toward next week’s start. And if you’d like to try predicting the race winners, take a look at Andy Schwenk’s predictions in this month’s issue of Latitude 38, out now.
A Sneak Peek at Yacht Racing in July
Destination Races From the Yacht Racing Association
“Come on out on July 18 for the annual race down through the South Bay,” writes the YRA. “This always-fun race has racers go around Alcatraz and then rocket downwind with the flood to Redwood City, where there is a great dockside get together at Westpoint Harbor. Everyone is then welcome to overnight at Westpoint Harbor and the Port of Redwood City Marina. We’ve got divisions for PHRF, multihulls, one-design fleets, non-spinnaker boats and a shorthanded division. Any one-design fleet with five boats registered will qualify for their own start.” Entries close on July 15 at 5 p.m., but enter by July 8 to avoid a late fee. See www.jibeset.net/YRA000.php?RG=T005378940.
As of this morning (July 1), registration was not yet open for the YRA’s Encinal Regatta (ex-2nd Half Opener). That race will sail out to Point Bonita and finish down the Estuary at Encinal Yacht Club on July 25. Keep an eye on www.jibeset.net/YRA000.php?RG=T008043662 for that one.
Elsewhere in the Bay Area
Bay View Boat Club’s Plastic Classic Regatta now invites all fiberglass boats built in the 1960s through all of the 1990s to race on the waters south of the Bay Bridge. This year’s race will be on July 11. See www.bayviewboatclub.org/plastic-classic. Don’t miss the party back at BVBC!
Greg Carter of the Bay Area Multihull Association writes, “The 2026 Corsair Nationals are coming to Encinal YC in Alameda on July 17-19.” Racing includes “Friday short courses off Alameda, a Saturday Bay‑tour distance race, and Sunday heats in the Berkeley Circle. The shoreside plan looks almost as busy as the racecourse. Boats will gather Thursday evening at Encinal for ‘welcome beverages aboard,’ followed by a Friday social dinner for entrants at a local Alameda venue, Saturday dinner back at EYC, and awards and prizes at the club Sunday afternoon.” See sfbama.org/2026corsairnationals.
Benicia YC invites sailors to the Benicia Waterfront Festival Regatta on July 25, part of a larger weekend-long festival. “Put your sailing skills to the test for a chance to win our stunning, artisan-made trophy for first place,” says the club. “Plus, all winners will receive free day passes to the festival.”
Head Inland
Stockton Sailing Club will host a Delta ILCA Regatta on July 25-26. “There will be a club evening race on Friday,” says Laser sailor Chris Boome. “Camping is allowed in the parking lot or grass. It would be great to get Bay Area sailors and Lake Washington sailors to come to Stockton.”
San Francisco YC has rebranded their Midnight Moonlight Maritime Marathon as the Moonrise Maritime Marathon this year. The pursuit race takes racers from the Tiburon area to San Pablo Bay and back. “Boats will start at staggered starting times, based on their individual handicaps from highest to lowest, beginning at 1400 hours.” Moonrise on July 25 will be around 6 p.m., and it will be waxing four days short of full.
Head to the High Country
Tahoe YC will welcome Melges 24 and Moore 24 classes for a One Design Invitational on July 10-12.
High Sierra Regatta chairman Mike Trela writes, “Huntington Lake will come alive for the 2026 High Sierra Regatta. With 22 fleets already registered across both weekends and numerous championships scheduled for the weekdays, this is shaping up to be an incredible summer of sailing. Sign up now for the discounted price.” Weekend 1 on July 11-12 will welcome Moth, Snipe, Day Sailer A and B, Lido 14 A and B, Laser, Laser Radial, Banshee, RS Aero, Optimist A and B, Vanguard 15, San Juan 21 Spinnaker and Working Sails, International 14, Melges 14, and Open Centerboard (Portsmouth rating) fleets. A late fee of $25 will apply after July 4.
Weekend 2 on July 18-19 will welcome Windsurfer LT, Thistle, Melges 15, Moore 24, Coronado 15, Ultimate 20, Wylie Wabbit, Victory 21, Santana 20, J/70, VXOne, Viper 640, Open 5.70, Melges 20, Catalina 22 and PHRF fleets. A late fee will apply after July 11.
“We are amping up the onshore action with a brand-new Saturday night social,” adds Trela. “Join us at the Lakeshore Dock from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. to swap race tales and enjoy the mountain views. All racers and guests are invited. Refreshments: Complimentary heavy appetizers, soft drinks and water. Drinks: Each registration includes two drink tickets for beer or wine (cash bar also available). We look forward to seeing you on the water for another season in the Sierras!”
The Mercury Regatta on Huntington Lake will take place on July 25-26. See the Mercury Class YRA webpage, www.mercury-sail.com, for more.
In Southern California
The C420 Nationals will race out of Long Beach YC on July 8-10. LBYC will also host an Olympic Classes Regatta for QFoils and Kites on July 11-16. Then Los Angeles YC will host the Olympic Classes Regatta for ILCA 6 & 7 and 470 classes on July 20-24 in San Pedro.
The J/70 fleet will contest their Nationals at Santa Barbara YC on July 10-12.
Cabrillo Beach YC in San Pedro will host the ILCA North Americans on July 9-12.
Sail to Hawaii
The Pacific Cup fleet will start the 2,070-mile course from San Francisco to Kaneohe on July 6, 7 and 10. Race committee volunteers will run the starts from the race deck of St. Francis YC. Their counterparts at Kaneohe YC, on the east side of Oahu, will welcome the finishers. See https://pacificcup.org.
Missed your chance to sail to Hawaii this summer? Never fear, there’s always next year. Registration is already open for the 2027 Transpac from Los Angeles to Honolulu, and the 2027 Singlehanded Transpacific Yacht Race from San Francisco to Hanalei Bay, Kauai.
Find oh so many more great races and maritime events on our monthly and annual calendars.
Happy Canada Day to our friends north of the border!
Good Jibes #250: 2026 Scuba Show on Location W/ Host Ryan Foland, Part 2
This week’s host, Ryan Foland, joins us on location from the Scuba Show in Long Beach on May 30–31, to go behind the scenes at the diving event of the year.
In this Part 2, you’ll hear the unbelievable survival story of saturation diver Chris Lemons, what was going through his mind in what he thought were his final moments, and about a tiki bar with tiger sharks, a scuba cat, and Ryan finally finding the perfect skin-tight outfit for life on the water.
Here’s a small sample of what you will hear in this episode:
- Why Chris thinks he survived his extreme diving incident
- The documentary Last Breath (2019) versus the 2025 Hollywood film, and how each portrays the story
- Meeting Mark Evans, new co-owner of the Scuba Show
- How local divers find shots no one else can
- Beqa Lagoon Resort talks tiger-shark dives and marine conservation in Fiji
Listen to the episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and your other favorite podcast spots — follow and leave a 5-star review if you’re feeling the Good Jibes!
Learn more at ScubaShow.com and connect with Ryan at Ryan.Online
Check out the episode and show notes for much more detail.
San Francisco on the Bay: “The List”
Dine, Drink, Smoke, Stay, Play and Shop. Discover San Francisco Bay and all that inspires those of us who live or visit here.