Action Packed Weekend of Sailing, Pirates & Chili Jennifer Brinckmann - Amigos de La Cruz
December 6, 2011

The Banderas Bay Blast started on Wednesday with a sailboat race into the Marina La Cruz (aka Marina Riviera Nayarit) from points beyond (Nuevo, PV and Punta Mita). Wednesday evening a Welcome party was held at the Taikai Skybar at our Marina and event organizers Ronnie Baker of AB Marine and Mike Danielson of PV Sailing hosted an informational cocktail party that culminated with a water balloon throw by the children at "Poo bah" and event cheerleader, Richard Spindler, publisher of Latitude 38 magazine. The evening wrapped with a Pirate Party at Philo's, actually a warm-up for the days to come.

Thursday was the first competitive race, from La Cruz to Punta Mita. Crewing aboard Catamaran "Profligate" skippered by Captain Spindler were several veterans of this event as well as the Pacific Puddle Jump, the El Salvador Rally and, of course, the Baja Ha Ha.

In addition, two "landlubbers" were allowed aboard to witness the event and spread the word (so that next year, participation by locals will be peaked). That lucky pair was none other than Amigos de La Cruz VP Connie Hollander and yours truly and we graced the decks in truly clueless landlubber style.

As the crew persistently raced around we were charged with staying out of the way, a pursuit we perfected by journey's end.  After much windless tacking into Punta Mita with Catamaran "Rot Kat" making a valiant run at "Profligate", the latter cat triumphed as winner in its class and a celebration dinner party ensued at El Coral Restaurante on El Anclote in Punta Mita where "Commodore" Katrina Liana initiated new members of the "virtual" Punta Mita Yacht & Surf Club with a paddling.

Friday, the event morphed to its Pirates for Pupils phase, where participants were encouraged to dress up as pirates and funds generated from various competitions and contributions would be distributed by Ronnie to schools around the Bahia from Punta Mita all the way to the Rio Ameca.

Spotted amongst the participants were many locals including Amigas Deborah Kanarek and Dunia Guiterrez, son Gullermo & Dunia Jr. This day's race to the Vallarta Yacht Club at Paradise Village in Nuevo Vallarta culminated with a hot tub stuffing contest and, you guessed it, a dinner party at the Yacht Club.

Saturday, no more racing but possibly the most anticipated event of the combined activities, the PV Yacht Club's Annual Chili Cook-Off featured several La Cruz participants including Philo's Studio Bar (and anchored by Philo, his visiting sister and Maria Joaquina), IKUAI Restaurant from the Marina and Tami Reynolds' La Cruz Kid's Club from the Marina.

Also participating and celebrating victory in the restaurant category was La Cruz neighbor, Pepper's Restaurant at Rancho Banderas at Playa Destiladeras (is that La Cruz or Punta Mita?...). Joining Pepper's in the winner's circle announced Monday morning was the La Cruz Kid's Club. Congratulations to Tami, assistant Teri Hagen and, of course, the kids.

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