Alex Blackwell, with his wife Daria and cruising kitty Onyx, has been sailing with Summer Sailstice since the beginning. They started out on their Frers 41, Espresso, and now sail their Bowman 57 named Aleria out of American Yacht Club in Rye NY.
Their Summer Sailstice sails have taken different forms every year. One year, the sail coincided with the AYC Spring Cruise so they sailed in company with about 20 boats from their club. Another year, they invited friends who had never sailed before and introduced them to the joy of sailing. Last year, they went out by themselves for some quiet cruising time.
They've recently started www.coastalsailing.net which is dedicated to the joy of coastal sailing in whatever form it takes, whether cruising, racing, or simply messing about in boats. The website community provides practical information with special emphasis on transitioning from day sailing to coastal cruising or racing. Topics include seamanship, destinations in the northeast coastal waters, how to articles, resources for adults, children, and pets, news items about sailing and racing events, and spotlights on the “Good Guys” - the people who are out there protecting our waters, our environment, and our sport. Their primary goal, which is very much in tune with the Summer Sailstice, is to get more people out there and sharing the joy of sailing.
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| "'Kids in San Carlos, Mexico joined San Carlos Yachts in a Summer Sailstice celebration!" |
They are about to launch a new feature of Top 10 Lists for various aspects of sailing, including destinations, gunkholes, online merchants, yacht club websites, marina websites, booksellers, publications, waterfront restaurants, charter companies, boat shows, yacht races, and ski areas (yep, because so many sailors are skiers). Please help by sending in your favorite selections.
Have a look at their new site and plan to join them June 17the weekend when they join the rest of us who celebrate sailing annually on Summer Sailstice.