Get Ready to Splash and Blast Off!

From Northern California to mainland Mexico, hasn’t the weather been great? We’ve finally gotten much needed rain in parched California, while down along Mexico’s Riviera Nayarit the skies have been clear and blue, the air and water 80+ degrees, and the jungle a riot of green.

If you’re getting tired of the rain or are already in Mexico, we’d like to remind everyone that the Riviera Nayarit Sailors’ Splash is coming up, to be followed almost immediately by the Banderas Bay Blast / Pirates for Pupils Spinnaker Run for Charity. Here’s the schedule of lighthearted fun that is for cruisers but is also open to everyone:

Friday, December 12 — Riviera Nayarit Sailors’ Splash Welcome to Riviera Nayarit Party, hosted by Marina Riviera Nayarit, is a meet-and-greet event under the tropical stars. In the past it has featured free music, hats and shirts, tequila tasting and more. Feel the warmth of Mexico starting at 7:00 p.m.

Sunday, December 14 — Cruiser ‘race’ 1 of the three-‘race’ Banderas Bay Blast. This is free, Baja Ha-Ha style ‘racing’, which means you’re sailing with friends, not against them. You can start from either Punta Mita for a spinnaker run to the La Cruz finish, or like most boats, start off Paradise Marina for a very close reach to La Cruz. In either case, it’s only about seven miles. ‘Race’ 1 is followed by the famous water balloon drop at Marina Riviera Nayarit and perhaps swimming pool volleyball, then music and good times at Philo’s Bar and Music Studio in La Cruz.

Monday, December 15 — The second Blast ‘race’ is to Punta Mita, about seven miles. The après-race event is the annual opening of the Punta Mita Yacht & Surf Club on the beach at Mita. Commodore Debbie Monie Rodgers of the Deerfoot 62 Moonshadow will be wielding the carbon fiber initiation paddle. Lifetime membership in the Punta Mita Y&S Club is $1, but you must sail to the club and accept your paddling with grace to be eligible for membership.

Tuesday, December 16 — The 12-mile Pirates for Pupils Spinnaker Run for Charity to Paradise Marina. This is a great fundraiser for the educational needs of the kids on the Riviera Nayarit. Want to do a spinnaker run on Profligate or another fine yacht? Cough up $25 per person for a great cause. Berths may be available at Paradise Marina after the event.

For details, tune into the Puerto Vallarta cruisers net each morning — except Sunday — on 22A. Blast ‘race’ details will be available at the Sailor’s Splash.