Mark your calendar! It is just about time to “up anchor” and join up with a great crowd of fellow adventurers. All BCA members are invited to a unique and fun sailing event in memory of Past Commodore, Lex Peterson, whose legacy is “do it and get out there, BCA sailors, while you still can!” For those who are unsure about what this rally is all about, it is:
- First and foremost, a cruising rally for those who are looking for some great local sailing and fun this summer.
- Voyage-friendly for single-handers, female skippers, power boaters, and everyone in-between, be they old, young, with kids or without, dreamers, doers and doners!
- All about fostering seamanship and friendship for people with an active interest in “inshore” cruising.
Once again, the waters, islands, nooks and crannies of the Salish Sea will become a virtual Patagonia this July, in the search for Puyuhuapi. For the second consecutive year, Ken Christie will head up the indomitable Peterson Cup cruising fleet, which will gather as per tradition in Mark Bay, off Protection Island, Nanaimo, on Sat July 23. The Dinghy Dock Pub will be the first official meeting place, at 1600h for a discussion of wind, weather and route planning. The fireworks that evening – surely in honour of BCA and such an august gathering of sailors – will bring the first day to a suitable conclusion.
The search for Puyuhuapi
Bright and early (!) on Sunday morning, the fleet will set sail (before the bathtubs), seeking adventure, good food, good grog and great company at the end of the day’s voyage (destination to be determined by consensus prior to departure). During the rally, boats must use sails (unless they be power boaters), anchor off (no docks allowed!), and all food and libations will come from ship’s stores. Rumour has it that hot apple pies will be baked for Appy Hour every day of the rally! Can you imagine!
The rally officially ends on Thurs, July 28, in time for the fleet to make their way back to Mark Bay for the start of the annual August BC Day weekend rendezvous, which will be held at Newcastle Island Provincial Marine Park. Rally participants will all have a chance to win (and trade) fun prizes, the highlight being the awarding of the coveted Peterson Cup, which will be presented at the Rendezvous.
A modest participant fee covers the cost of a Peterson Cup T-shirt and prizes. Please be sure to RSVP online; participants who do so by July 15 will be able to select the T-shirt colour, size and quantity. Check the BCA Calendar [1] for additional details closer to the event or contact Ken Christie [2], winner of the Cup in 2014 and organizer of this acclaimed rally in 2015.