Sea of Cortez Sailing Week
As Remembered by Richard Spindler
I, along with the support of my sailing magazine Latitude 38, came up with the idea for Sea of Cortez Sailing Week back in either 1982 or 1983. It was to be modeled after Antigua Sailing Week.
The time was so ripe for the idea that by the time I flew down to my boat, folks in La Paz had run with the idea and already had a formal opening ceremony with the Mexican Navy.
It was a week long event based out of Caleta Partida. It started with a race from La Paz to Caleta Partida, then a couple of short day races. During lay days there were big beach parties, volleyball games, sailboarding contests — and at the end of the week, wet t-shirt contests for the women and icy butt contests for the men. Yes, we were very naughty. In reality, everyone wanted to participate because it was like a group hug rather than being salacious. I know, I know, you had to be there. I got hundreds of photos, but haven't come to them in my digitizing process yet.
About 64 boats participated the first year, 120 the second, and over 200 the third. I even met a future wife there.
But before too long a Mexican from La Paz named Alberto Morphy started seeing dollar signs and wanted to monetize it. That was the beginning of the end. Although Sailing Week would stumble along for another 15 years or so, it was nothing like the first five years. They were epic. Ask anyone who had been there.
Most famous boat to ever participate? Joshua, the boat that Bernard Moitessier had famously sailed around the world in the first singlehanded around the world race. He's lost her on the beach in Cabo during the storm of '82, and sold her to a Swiss guy named Rado for $1. Rado fixed her all up.
Sea of Cortez Sailing Week was eventually taken over by Club Cruceros. The last sailing week held by the club was in 2002. Not to be cheated out of a fiesta, Club Cruceros put together a new event, and Bayfest was born!
Some historic photos from Sea of Cortez Sailing Week:
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This shows just half of the participants from one of the early weeks, at Caleta Partida. |
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A cross section of the participants. Note the popularity of the 'raisin holders', aka Baja Tuxedos for the men. |
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This was back in the day, when the percentage of young cruisers was much greater. |
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After a couple of years the event was so popular that West Marine donated a pig. This dude is digging the pit to cook it in. |
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That's right, tents, tables, and chairs on the beach at Caleta Partida. Don't see that happening now. |
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You could pony up and buy beer on the beach almost any time of day or night. Don't see that happening now either. |
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'She was 17, the dancing queen' . . . Actually, I think she was 15. He was like 70 and had stumbled into the bay with a big 70-ft wood ketch. But it was innocent enough. |
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There were nightly events on the beach, including everything from yoga demonstrations to cruiser music. |
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You could even share your underwear with a friend, as folks weren't as uptight as they are these days. |
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Yours truly, aboard my Freya 39 Contrary to Ordinary just before the first Sea of Cortez Sailing Week. Looked a little younger than I do now. Who remembers the famous Barient winch chairs? |
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After SOC I took Contrary a few coves up and took this photo. West Marine used a slightly different color version of this on their annual catalog. |
Help
Does this bring any stories to mind? Have photos of past Club activities? Can you fill in any blanks for us? Just email the club at crucerosdelapaz@gmail.com!