A Whale of a Blast in Banderas Bay
The finish of the Baja Ha-Ha means the fun in Mexico is just beginning. December in Banderas Bay is when the tropical summer heat cools down to idyllic, comfortable winter temperatures and the sailing season heats up! One of the first events on the calendar is the Banderas Bay Blast Pirates for Pupils Charity Regatta put on by the Punta Mita Yacht & Surf Club and the Vallarta Yacht Club. This year’s event was a whale of a time.
Nineteen boats sailed across three classes during the November 11-13 event — nine in the cruising division, four in the multihull division and six in the racing division. The fleet was accompanied by numerous whales, which were frequently sighted surfacing mid-race adding new, random obstacles to the course. Charity Palmatier, racing aboard the Beneteau 390 Hey Ya, captured the shots.
The Baja Ha-Ha Grand Poobah reported on his Facebook page that $3,500 was raised between the Poobah-dog sales during the Ha-Ha, T-shirt sales, and Punta Mita Yacht & Surf Club memberships during the Banderas Bay Blast.
One hundred percent of the proceeds (with the dogs and T-shirts contributed by Doña and the Poobah) goes to the children’s food program in Punta Mita. The Poobah gave a big shout-out to everyone who contributed money, as well as the many volunteers who contributed their time, notably Kat and Mike of PV Sails, who do so much to make the Blast happen.
A chunk of the money came from the $1 Lifetime Memberships to the Punta Mita Yacht & Surf Club. In addition to the $1 fee, new members had to endure a swat on the butt from hard-hitting Commodore Rebecca of Trouble. Some years you have to encourage people to kneel on the table in front of everyone and accept their hazing. Not this year, as prospective members lined up from the get-go! The kindergarten kids’ program on the morning of the last race was, as always, a real hit. The kids are adorable, and the Poobah reminded everyone they aren’t starting out with the advantages that most people had in their lives. The fundraiser helps give them all a boost.
The Poobah recapped the last race saying, “The third race of the Blast, the Pirates for Pupils Spinnaker Run from Mita to Paradise Marina, started out with a terrific breeze. I think Profligate notched a top speed of 13.5 knots, and we thought we’d make quick work of the course. But about halfway across the bay the wind fizzled to nothing. Finally a mild southerly filled in. Who won? Everyone who participated. For real winners, check on the Vallarta YC page. About 20 boats participated in the Blast, a little under the normal number. But this is a terrific event for the participants and kids, so if you’re in the area next year, don’t miss it. We wish you’d been there with us sailing on Profligate.”
The Vallarta Yacht Club posted the results of the competition showing the Cruising Division was won by Joe Heinzmann’s S&S Nautor Swan 55 Swan Fun, the Multihull Division by the Catana 431 Maluhia Nui and the Racing Division won by the Serendipity 43 Wings. The Doug Peterson-designed Serendipity 43 is a West Coast classic that continues to perform, though many have retired from racing and are now full-time cruisers.
For cruisers planning to sail south in 2025, the Banderas Bay Blast will be on the calendar again for mid-December.
A couple of parting shots:
