Tuesday, May 24, 2016

Summer Sailstice Slated for Saturday-Sunday, June 18-19

ALEXANDRIA. VA – For the past 15 years, there's been one weekend of the year that sailors gather to celebrate and share their passion for sailing. In 2016, the global annual celebration, "Summer Sailstice" will take place on Saturday, June 18 and Sunday, June 19 uniting nearly 19,000 sailors with a schedule of local events that encourage the community to join in on the fun and celebrate sailing. Boat Owners Association of The United States (BoatUS) is a sponsor of the event, which is always held the weekend nearest the summer solstice.

Said Founder John Arndt, "Grow your fleet, grow your club, grow sailing. There's no one right way to do it – offer a race, a cruise, daysail or rendezvous. Summer Sailstice is a great weekend mix of bonding, community outreach, and sharing the passion for sailing."

There is no cost to host an event and boat and yacht clubs, sailing clubs, schools, and fleets can set up one at summersailstice.com/event-organizing-help Events can be public or private, and you can sign up a regular club event, create a special event or just go for a sail or win a prize – including an Unlimited Towing Membership from BoatUS. Almost 5,000 boats are expected to participate.

To find an event near you, go to summersailstice.com/events. In upstate New York, Saratoga Lake Sailing Club will be offering free sails on Saratoga Lake to introduce people to the sport of sailing, with no experience necessary. Jeanneau sailboat owners will be headed to their rendezvous at Poet's Cove on Pender Island, British Columbia. The Muncie Sailing Club in Indianapolis, Indiana is hosting the "Call of the Conch" Funny Man Regatta with presumably a hidden start line and 'bendable' rules, while the Mark Twain Lake Sailing Association in Missouri is celebrating Summer Sailstice with the annual "Commodore's Cup," inviting all in the local community to participate as crew and enjoy post race festivities.

For more information, go to www.summersailstice.com.