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Today Is the Day

Costumed fleet members took over the parking lot of the Shelter Island West Marine, the fiesta’s co-sponsor. 

© 2014 Kurt Roll

For the skippers of 131 boats and 490 crew, today is the long-awaited day of the start of the 21st Annual Baja Ha-Ha cruising rally from San Diego to Cabo San Lucas with stops at Turtle Bay and Bahia Santa Maria. Yesterday’s Kick-Off Party at the San Diego West Marine got everybody in the spirit, with the Halloween costume theme.

The cast of Austin Powers were in a festive mood.

latitude/Andy
© Latitude 38 Media, LLC

As always, there was a wide range of costumes, some of which were extremely creative and elaborate. In addition to the requisite pirates and wenches, there were a bevy of jellyfish, a band of cheetahs, and a group of lab experiments gone wrong. 

This boatload of nautical cheetahs were itching to scratch. 

latitude/Andy
© Latitude 38 Media, LLC
West Marine’s perennial MC Captain Ron presides over the costume contest. We’re pretty sure he had more fun than anyone. 

latitude/Andy
© Latitude 38 Media, LLC

The weather for the 360-mile first leg to Turtle Bay appears as though it will be light. Long-range forecasts for the second leg suggest a nice downwind breeze. There is a possibility of a tropical depression forming way, way south at about 8 degrees, so that will be monitored.

This one needs a little explanation: "We’re from New Zealand, but we’re posing as Aussies!" 

latitude/Andy
© Latitude 38 Media, LLC

On the way out to the 11:00 a.m. start off Pt. Loma, the fleet will ‘parade’ through San Diego Harbor just for fun. Dignitaries will observe the action from aboard the sportfishing vessel Dolphin, where local print, radio and TV journalists will record the action. This year, for the first time, CNN will shoot the scene and broadcast their footage on national television (sorry, time unknown).

PHOTO

Look for additional updates here in the coming days.

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Latitude 38 runs Calendar listings every month for events at the San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park, an historical treasure on Hyde Street Pier at the west end of Fisherman’s Wharf.