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The Pacific Puddle Jump rally is an annual migration of private sailing yachts leaving various points on the west coast of the Americas, but all bound for French Polynesia. Via radio nets and electronic communications they share information on preparation, weather routing, and inter-island cruising.
Because the fleet does not depart from the Americas on one single date, their arrivals in French Polynesia can be anytime in April, May or June. Due to the broad-based nature of the fleet, many of the boat crews will meet for the first time when they arrive in the islands.
Latitude 38 and the Puddle Jump
Ever since Latitude 38 editors coined the phrase Pacific Puddle Jump 15 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.
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.
We also want you to be aware of some upcoming events and resources:
Tahiti Pearl Regatta, May 12-16, 2010
If you arrive in the Societies in 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 http://www.tahitipearlregatta.org.pf.
Tahiti-Moorea Sailing Rendezvous, June 18-20, 2010
Latitude 38 works with several Tahitian partners 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 begins with opening activities and a cocktail party at the Yacht Quay in downtown Papeete (free berthage that night). The next day we’ll rally/race to spectacular Opunuho Bay on Moorea. There, we’ll be met by an island chieftain and his entourage, followed by music and dancing.
The following day there will be an optional traditional Tahitian luncheon, followed by all sorts of Polynesian sports demonstrations in which fleet members are allowed 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.
2010 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.
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