On June 20, sailors from the far corners or this watery world can help celebrate the start of summer by raising a sail and, well, going sailing.
Summer Sailstice was launched on San Francisco Bay just over a quarter century ago by John Arndt, publisher of the West Coast sailor’s bible Latitude 38—and a sailor who enjoys an occasional tack or two on Maine’s waters most summers as well. The idea was to get as many people as possible sailing on the weekend closest to the summer solstice. From the start, Summer Sailstice has been a grassroots effort to get people out on their boats for a “worldwide celebration of the unique qualities of enjoying life under sail.”
At the Sailstice website, skippers can post their float plans, find regattas, see how like-minded sailors plan to spend their day on the water, and register to win all sorts of salty prizes.
“Sailors can be far offshore, launching from the beach, racing to Bermuda or varnishing the handrails. Your participation happens just the way you like it. Teaching your kids or starting a summer sailing program can all be part of our collective celebration of sailing. Summer Sailstice welcomes anyone who loves the sailing life,” Arndt writes. “Is that to easy? Yes, though you can join a race, host a raft-up, organize a club sail-out, owners' rendezvous, charter somewhere exotic, or do it how you like it.”
Or, to put it another way, grab your friends and just go sailing.
