Blending Fun With Fundraising
Although the Zihuatanejo Sailfest isn’t the largest annual cruiser event in Mexico, it’s a candidate for generating the most fun, and during it’s 12-year run it has raised more funds for charity than any other Mexican sailing event.
After drawing to a close Friday, the proceeds from various fundraising components were tallied and, much to the amazement of the organizing committee, the rough count was 767,000 pesos or close to $65,000 — all of which goes to build and sustain schools for disadvantaged indigenous kids who live on the outskirts of the city.
In addition to shoreside activities like a chili cookoff and an auction, there was a day of beach games — believe it or not, some kids who live in the nearby hills rarely get an opportunity to dip their toes in Zihua’s famous bay — a sailboat race, a parade of sail, and a casino-style gambling event. Nineteen boats participated in the parade, with 165 locals, expats-in-residence and vacationers paying a small fee to ride along. Forty-four non-cruisers also joined in the pursuit race, again for a small fee which was donated to the nonprofit Por Los Niños.
We’re not sure anybody really cared that much, but for the record, pursuit race winners were 1) Bob Smith’s Victoria, BC-based 44-ft custom cat Pantera, 2) Brian Charette’s Jackson Hole, WY-based custom 36-ft catamaran Cat 2 Fold, and 3) Freedom Kirkland.
If you’re planning to cruise the Mexican mainland next year, we’d urge you to consider visiting the charming “real Mexican” town of Zihua — and participate in next year’s Z-Fest, where everyone leaves with a smile, knowing they’ve helped to make a difference in the lives of some extremely grateful kids. For more on the event see the website. (Any, by the way, donations to this worthy cause can be tax deductible in the US.)
