Smooth Banderas Bay Blast

On the weekend of December 15-16, the last of the Banderas Bay Blast races concluded with the Pirates for Pupils Spinnaker Run, which raised over $2,000 for the children of Punta de Mita. The event was started by former Latitude 38 publisher and Baja Ha-Ha Grand Poobah Richard Spindler, about the same time as the founding of the Punta Mita Yacht & Surf Club in 2005. The local sailing community supports the event. Many local establishments, such as the Vallarta Yacht Club, Marina Riviera Nayarit, Mike Danielson of PV Sailing, Paradise Village Marina and Punta Mita Yacht & Surf Club help out.

This year’s approximately 20-boat fleet enjoyed a warm, light-air sail from Punta Mita to Paradise Village. Ken Ouwehand of Vancouver, BC, sailed his Pacific Seacraft Orion 27 Island Drifter south from Redondo Beach in 2016. Ken was happy to share photos. He appreciates the support of the local cruising community and their efforts to support the children of Punta de Mita.

Like Zihua SailFest, which happens every February in Zihuatanejo, the Pirates for Pupils Spinnaker Run is one of the many ways the cruising community shows its appreciation for the opportunity to enjoy sailing in Mexico.