Rendezvous Reunion in Paradise

Dozens of sailors from all over the world converged on Papeete, Tahiti, late last week to take part in the eighth annual Tahiti-Moorea Sailing Rendezvous (June 28-30). All had recently made the 3,000-mile passage from the West Coast of the Americas to the fabled landfalls of the Marquesas and Tuamotus — the voyage we call the Pacific Puddle Jump. 

Organized by our longtime Tahitian partner Archapelagos, with additional support from Air Tahiti Nui, Tahiti Tourism and other organizations, this annual gathering serves as a forum for fleet members to celebrate their successful crossings while swapping tales with fellow cruisers. It’s secondary goal is to showcase highly revered Tahitian cultural traditions in music, dance, sport and cuisine.

Among Friday’s activities were a chart briefing about local cruising highlights, a cocktail party, the blessing of the fleet by a Tahitian chieftain, and a dance show. 

Saturday, the fleet made the 15-mile crossing to Moorea’s majestic Cook’s Bay in robust conditions that had every boat hitting its hull speed, with the spray flying. That evening, fleet members came ashore at the Club Bali Hai where Miss Moorea welcomed them with flower leis. The evening’s big treat was watching the International Uke Festival, which was hosted by the hotel — an uplifting experience for all.

The Rendezvous’ Sunday schedule is always filled with a variety of beach games and cultural demos, the highlight of which is always the six-person outrigger canoes races. Via a series of round robin eliminations, this year’s champs were a studly group of young men from the catamaran Skimpy, whose unique team name was ‘We’re Not Wearing Any Underwear’.

That’s the basics, but as you can see, the pictures tell the story. If you plan to sail to the South Pacific next year, we highly recommend you put the Rendezvous on your must-do list. It happens every year on the last weekend of June or first weekend of July.