Cruising Kids Create Strong Bonds During the Baja Ha-Ha
What is the most important factor for parents and kids on “kid boats” in having a good time while cruising? The Baja Ha-Ha’s Grand Poobah observes their connections.
By a wide margin the most important factor is the proximity of one or more other “kid boats.”
On land, the rule is “happy wife, happy life.” On kid boats, it’s “happy kids, happy cruising.” Nothing makes kids happier than having other kids around to socialize with. There are often group sleepovers when kid boats gather. In many cases this gives some lucky parents a night off to rest. Or maybe even try to remember what it was they did together to produce kids in the first place.
Anyway, the Poobah is happy to report that there are nine boats signed up for the Ha-Ha that, among them, will have a total of 20 kids between the ages of 1 and 18. The Poobah believes this is a record.
Normally the Poobah considers the “kid range” to be 1 to 16, but Teresa Oster wanted her 17-year-old daughter Lila and 18-year-old son Justin to be included as “kids.”
“They are almost adults,” she argues, “but will forever be our kids.”
Even though we’re way down here in Mexico, we can hear poor Lila and Justin groaning, “Mom!!!”
The breakdown of kids is as follows: Five of the kids are 5 or under; six are between 6 and 9; six are between 10 and 13; and three are between 14 and 18.
What are some of the Ha-Ha highlights for kids?
– Face painting, costumes, and prizes at the Last Cheeseburger In Paradise Kick-Off Party.
– Seeing all the sea life on the first leg.
– The Kruisers versus Kids Bazeball Game in Turtle Bay, where women and kids are always “safe,” and it’s common for 4-year-old girls to hit home runs.
– Frolicking on the beach and in the water with other kids at the Turtle Bay Beach Party.
– The Poobah’s “Kid World Championship Diving Contest” off the transom of Profligate at Bahia Santa Maria.
– And last, but maybe not least, watching in wonderment if not horror as old people engage in the “Here to Eternity Kissing Contest” in the warm surf of Cabo San Lucas.
By the end of the Ha-Ha, and following the events mentioned above, strong kid-boat bonds will have been made, which will typically last through much of Mexico if not all the way to French Polynesia and beyond.
In early October the contact information of “kid boats” will be shared with other “kid boats,” unless somebody wants to opt out.
Having no grandchildren of his own, the Poobah is looking forward to sailing south with all you kids!
