Bay Fest

The ‘season” on the Baja California Sur coincides with what we know as the “season” in South Florida. So about this time each year many boaters are preparing to go north, either to spend the summer in the Sea of Cortez or to someplace cool in the States or in Canada. As we near the end of the season, Club Cruceros hosts Bay Fest, a three and a half day festival for boat people.  There are a lot of activities, something to please or interest just about anyone who owns or lives on a boat.  The centerpiece of the festival is the series of seminars on everything from jewelry making or how to handle medical emergencies at sea, to boat engine repair and care and feeding of water makers.

The festival opened Thursday evening with wine tasting on the promenade of one of the large hotels on the bay.  Boaters and others wandered among an arts and craft displays listening to classical music played by a flautist, followed by a brass quintet made up of students from the local music school and their teacher. A sailboat race called "the rock to the dock" ended within our view; what a beautiful sight as many sailors had their spinnakers out and the sun was low in the sky behind them. And me without my camera! After all, it’s difficult to take pictures and hold a wine glass at the same time.

The remaining three days of activities will be held at La Costa restaurant, a local business that is very friendly and cooperative with boaters general and Club Cruceros in particular.  The restaurant has seating right on the beach so all of the water  and beach activities could be viewed while having a cerveza under the palapa. There the club will hold seminars in the mornings and table game tournaments in the afternoon.  One can sign up for Mexican dominoes, bridge, cribbage or darts, or volunteer to play volley ball against a team from the Mexican Navy which has an installation nearby.  Additionally  there will be dinghy races which are guaranteed to draw a large crowd of fans as well as participants.

Last minute instructions before our "man" goes overboard

 I elected to  attend a “man overboard” session today which was informative and fun.  Fifteen students climbed aboard a 52 foot schooner and took it out into the bay for the drill.  After a short classroom lecture we got down to the serious business of saving someone. Our guinea pig “man overboard” turned out to be the woman who had played flute for us the prior evening; now that’s what I call being versatile! She suited up in her wetsuit (the bay water is still a chilly 72 degrees) and, five times in a row, jumped off the boat so others could practice the drill, taking turns at various positions. The captain and I have talked about procedures to follow during this and other emergency situations, but have never actually practiced them, so this was a very good, proactive experience for me. While I was out on the water the captain attended 3 sessions: outboard motor repair, refrigeration and  water makers. Knowledge is power!

The captain and others intent on a lecture

As I have been on the festival's fund raising committee for the past couple of months, I spent part of the day standing at the raffle table hawking tickets.  Proceeds above the cost of the festival will be divided among two charities this year. One half of the funds will go to Cruz Roja which supplies free ambulance service to all citizens of La Paz (even gringos!), while the other half goes to the local cancer clinic which provides medications (including chemotherapy drugs) free of charge to those who cannot pay.  Truly a win/win situation:  fun for all, education for the cruisers and pesos for two very deserving groups.