Sailors around the world are making plans to celebrate the sailing lifestyle by sailing ‘together’ on, June 18th, the weekend closest to the summer solstice. Now in its 11th year, the Summer Sailstice sailing holiday invites all sailors to hoist their sails wherever they are aboard whatever they sail to simply connect and celebrate all aspects of sailing. Tall ship or small ship, if it’s got sails, they should be set to sail on the first weekend of the summer.
2010 saw the largest celebration to date, with sailors in 50 US states and 47 countries participating and, with events already in the planning for this year, Summer Sailstice organizers are anticipating more sailors everywhere will dedicate the first summer weekend of sailing to the global Sailstice festivities.
For 2011, Summer Sailstice once again will join Sailors For The Sea to support their mission to educate and empower the boating community to protect oceans and local waters." ‘When you sign up for Summer Sailstice, just check the pledge-box to contribute funds for each mile you sail on Summer Sailstice,’ says John Arndt, Summer Sailstice founder. ‘Get your friends and crew to chip in, go sailing to relieve your land-induced stress, tally your miles and then send in your pledge amount to Sailors for the Sea. Combined it makes for happier sailors and happier oceans.’
Beyond enjoying a sail with sailors everywhere there are over 400 other good reasons to sign up for Summer Sailstice: prizes offered by the sailing industry. Ask Tom Orlow who won a Hobie kayak in 2010 by signing up and sailing his Beneteau 36.7 on Lake Michigan. Other prizes are offered by The Moorings, Hunter Marine, West Marine, Hobie, Offshore Sailing, Harken, Woodenboat and other marine businesses.Â
To participate in Summer Sailstice 2011, sailors can sign up for free at www.summersailstice.com. The website also gives sailors everywhere the opportunity to create Sailstice events, recruit crew, post stories and learn about other Sailstice events being organized in their area.
About Summer Sailstice
Summer Sailstice is the global sailing holiday celebrated on the weekend closest to the summer solstice. This international event was founded in 2001 to connect the global sailing community in a fun, creative, multifaceted, multi-location sailing holiday. Every year, Summer Sailstice connects over 17,000 sailors all over the world—cruisers, racers and recreational—to celebrate and showcase life under sail. It has expanded to include participants from Asia, across the Americas and Europe. For more information, please visit www.SummerSailstice.com or contact [email protected].
Read more about Summer Sailstice in Cruising World by Herb McCormick:
http://www.cruisingworld.com/article.jsp?ID=52172&typeID=419&catID=0
