One of the things we most enjoy about Summer Sailstice and, in fact, one of the primary reasons we created Summer Sailstice was to find a moment in time to recognize, connect and make visible the whole world of sailing. It's more complicated than we ever imagined! Really sailing is pretty simple - hoist sails, go sailing. But the endlessly creative nature of humans and sailors can find more unique ways of doing it than we ever imagined. If you take a look at the events posted or sailors individual sailing plans you get an interesting snapshot of the wide world of sailing. There's a lot going on and we love seeing all of it.
It's fantastic to see events like Team Alvimedica signed up as part of the Volvo Ocean Race and on the other end of the racing spectrum and thousands of miles away the Opti Heavy Weather Regatta hosted by the St. Francis Yacht Club for small sailors in big breeze! These Opti sailors will be sailing in the same breezy conditions on the San Francisco Bay waterfront that challenged the America's Cup sailors in 2013.
Then we love seeing cruisers who will be out celebrating sailing mid-Pacific at the Tahiti-Moorea Rendezvous or individual cruisers like our friends Max & Lynnie who will be sailing far North on the coast of Norway.
And mostly we're just endlessly inspired to see anyone and everyone who decides to start summer by taking advantage of all the solstice daylight to hoist sails on Summer Sailstice weekend. There are Sunfish sailors sailing on lakes across the country, cruisers sailing out to tie up or raft up in coves on Catalina island, in North Dakota, the Chesapeake, the Great Lakes, the California Delta and essentially all across the globe. Everybody, everywhere sailing 'together' while doing their own thing - race, cruise, daysail, small ship or tall ship. It's all of sailing and it all looks fun!
A favorite quote comes to mind, 'A ship in a harbor is safe, but that's not what ships are built for.' 'Tis true. There's almost nothing that adds to life more than time sailing with family and friends. Connecting all sailors in that shared pleasure in a shared celebration gives more people the opportunity to connect with what most sailors love to share - their passion for sailing. Sailors range from pirates and Parrotheads to extreme athletes and lone adventurers to relaxed, recreational afternoon sailors. There's something magical about the call of the sea, the harnessing of the wind, the guiding of a sailboat.
So many people take to the water under sail but find so many extraordinarily unique ways to participate. We love having as much of it as possible on display on Summer Sailstice weekend.
We hope everyone can find a way to step aboard, leave the shoreline behind, hoist some sails and enjoy the unique pleasures of sailing as part of collaborative Summer Sailstice celebration of sailing.
Where, what and how will you be sailing?
