Pacific Yachting

Congratulations to Ward Adams, who won a PY prize pack and Mustang Survival Integrity jacket at the Boat Show at the Creek at the Mosquito Creek Marina in North Vancouver.

On July 2, 21 boats showed up for the start of the 22nd Annual Malaspina Regatta, hosted by the Garden Bay Sailing Club. The ten mile race began between Martin and Pearson Islands at the entrance to Pender Harbour. The conditions “seemed perfect”, with a light five-knot breeze from the northwest, under a sunny sky.  However, as so often happens in sailing, the start proved to be one of the more tricky that skippers have had to face for some years. The tidal flow in the start area produced very confused seas, which resulted in a few boats going over the line early, and many being caught between tide and wind until well after the gun was fired.

In the evening’s sweet light, the blue water of Bedwell Harbour matches the blue sky over South Pender Island. I sit in the cockpit of the Chelsea Lynn sipping a delightful pinot gris. A Corelli violin sonata plays on my iPod. I am totally relaxed, thanks to the deep tissue massage I enjoyed this afternoon at Poets Cove Resort. This is the perfect way to begin our annual boating vacation.