PPJ Party
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The Pacific Puddle Jump Party,
Balboa Yacht Club, Panama
We arrived in plenty of time for the
start of the Pacific Puddle Jump party to find the Balboa
Yacht Club packed with some hundred cruisers.
Anya, always with a flower in her hair – we met in
Shelter Bay Marina - was sporting a cast. How did you do it was the question,
“Oh I fell in the street”, we suggested she spice up the story a little next
time she’s asked. Husband Ben talking to Rod and
Mary. Their boat name makes everyone smile – Giggles.
Ever since Latitude 38 editors coined the phrase 'Pacific Puddle Jump' nearly twenty years ago, they have 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. Although Puddle Jump 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 on Beez Neez will try and get in to the next party on Tahiti at the end of June.
We watched a slide show, pictures taken in exotic locations to wet the appetite. Bear would have liked the talk to have greater detail but we enjoyed it nonetheless.
Later, we all assembled outside for the group shot
Bear won a cap in the raffle. Then the band entertained while we ate lunch.
Each boat was interviewed and presented with the official burgee. Rod (one of the A Team of Beez linehandlers) and Mary – Sheer Tenacity. Steve (ditto A Team) and Chris – Scott-Free and of course us.......
Back on board for a game of backgammon, we were treated to a couple of chums crossing behind Scott-Free (near left) and Sheer Tenacity (centre of the chums).
ALL IN ALL GREAT TO MEET SO MANY LIKE MINDED CRUISERS
A BIT OF
FUN |