The World Celebrates Sailing

Where’s Lake Neuchatel? Like many of the places we’ve never sailed, it’s another intriguing place to find sailors — specifically those who will be aboard the Beneteau 36s7 Spirit of Lusitania — celebrating Summer Sailstice with the rest of us. In fact, there’s a world of sailing going on this weekend. In Tahiti, Pacific Puddle Jumpers will be sailing in the Tahiti-Moorea Sailing Rendezvous; in England, they’ll be going ‘round the isle of Wight; in Newport, RI, they’ll be starting the Bermuda Race; and on Lake Neuchatel (in Switzerland, by the way) they’re going for two days of family sailing on the lake. Which is all it really takes to be part of the Summer Sailstice global sailing holiday.

Started in 2001, Summer Sailstice was created to connect all the world’s sailors in a shared celebration of life under sail. Kiteboarders, racers, foiling moths, clipper ships, and bluewater cruisers are all powered by the wind. As different as Frederica von Stade and Snoop Dogg are in their musical stylings, sailing runs the gamut of styles.

So how can you participate in Summer Sailstice? First, register your sailing plans on www.summersailstice.com — you’ll be entered to win great prizes, such as one-week BVI charter with The Moorings. Then simply go sailing this weekend — go racing, join your club for a cruise, or just grab your sweetheart for a romantic evening sail. Be sure to Google your local solar noon (in the Bay Area, it’s at 12:59:13 p.m.) give a wave, sound a horn, take a picture and pass the baton to the next longitude to your West. If you’re on the Bay be sure to head over to Treasure Island for the Summer Sailstice Sailing Festival. For the full program of events — treasure hunts, a boat building contest, live music, and Pacific Island dancers — visit www.summersailstice.com/sf.