Latitude 38 and the Puddle Jump
Ever since Latitude 38 editors coined the phrase 'Pacific Puddle Jump' nearly 20 years ago, we’ve taken great pleasure in supporting, and reporting on, the annual migration of cruising sailors from the West Coast of the Americas to French Polynesia.
Boats from many nations register with the rally (currently free of charge), and they depart from various points along the West Coast, with the largest concentration of passage-makers jumping off from Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, and Balboa, Panama. Latitude 38 holds annual send-off parties at both locations:
Vallarta YC, Nuevo Vallarta, Mexico; February 29, 2012, 3:00-6:00 p.m.; and
Balboa YC, Balboa, Panama, March 10, noon-4:00 p.m.
Although these sailors set sail independently anytime between the late February and early May, they share information on preparation, weather routing, and inter-island cruising via radio nets and electronic communications before, during and after their crossings. Their arrivals in French Polynesia can be anytime in April, May or June. And due to the broad-based nature of the fleet, many crews will meet for the first time when they arrive in the islands.
We also want you to be aware of some upcoming events and resources:
Tahiti Pearl Regatta, May 16-21, 2012
If you arrive in the Societies in early May, we would encourage you to participate in this wonderful inter-island regatta, where local sailors race and party with cruisers and bareboat vacationers. Courses are run around the Raiatea-Tahaa lagoon, to Bora Bora, and back. It’s what we’d call a ‘fun regatta’, as it’s not super serious, but there’s plenty of exciting boat-for-boat competition nonetheless. Nightly parties include Polynesian music and dancing. For details and registration, see www.tahitipearlregatta.org.pf.
Tahiti-Moorea Sailing Rendezvous, June 22-24, 2012
Latitude 38 works with several Tahitian partners, including the Port of Papeete and Tahihi Tourism, to put on this annual three-day gathering aimed at welcoming you to the islands while introducing you to traditional Polynesian music, dance, sports and cuisine. It’s a great way to celebrate your crossing, while meeting the crews of other boats that you may have heard about, but never met.
This year’s event will begin with opening activities and a cocktail party at the Yacht Quay in downtown Papeete. The next day we’ll rally/race to spectacular Oponohu Bay on Moorea. There, we’ll be met by an island chieftain and his entourage, followed by music and dancing.
The following day will feature all sorts of Polynesian sports demonstrations in which fleet members are encouraged to participate. The highlight is always racing with the locals in six-person outrigger canoes. More music and dancing will follow during the awards ceremony. (Thanks to sponsor participation, we expect to make this all free of charge apart from optional meals.)
We hope you’ll time your arrival in the Society Islands so you can join us. A good time is practically guaranteed. More details to follow via fleet emails.
2011 Recap Article in Latitude 38
In late May or June, after most boats have completed their crossings, we’ll be emailing you a questionnaire about your trip and a request for photos. We hope you’ll participate in this project, as your info will be of great interest to future passage-makers.
Latitude 38 web archives
If you’re interested in profiles of past fleets or recaps which touch on the highs and lows of past crossings, you can download our articles for free. You’ll probably find the table of crossing data that’s included in each recap article to be particularly interesting. |
