REGISTRATION OPENS FOR BAJA HA-HA XXIX
ONE WEEK FROM TODAY ON MAY 9,
AT NOON, PACIFIC DAYLIGHT TIME
Scott and Jill's L'Avventura.
Scott said goodbye to Hollywood before the strike.
As if you didn't already know, the Ha-Ha is the 750-mile cruisers' rally from San Diego to Cabo San Lucas, with R&R stops at super funky and fun Turtle Bay and surreal Bahia Santa Maria. The event runs from October 30 to November 11 and includes eight major social events.
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Biting into burritos at Turtle Bay in 2009 are Scott Stephens, left, and Andy Turpin, right.
Andy runs the Pacific Puddle Jump
and has since gone native in Polynesia.
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Of course there will be face-painting
for children of all ages at the Last Cheeseburger in Paradise
Costume Kickoff Party.
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The benefits of signing up early are several:
- You're making a commitment to actually cast off the dock lines on a specific date.
- Given that commitment, you can start making berthing and boatyard reservations in Mexico as you might need them. Reservations are strongly encouraged these days and are essential for the holidays.
- The higher you are on the list of sign-ups, the greater your chance of getting a slip in Cabo — although nobody is guaranteed a slip.
What better way to start a trip to Mexico than with a blast from the America's Cup Cannon, a fireboat salute, and mariachis and dignitaries on the starting line boat. The Ha-Ha often gets front page coverage in the local papers.
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Marina and Myron will be doing something like their 12th Ha-Ha
with their Swan 44.
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The Cruiser Bazeball Game in Turtle Bay is always a big hit.
Women and children are never out. |
The Poobah has awarded honorary entry #1 to Scott & Jill Stephens of the Catana 47 L'Avventura. "After 25+ years, 150+ episodes of television, and a handful of films, I am done with Hollywood," writes Scott. "Leaving Hollywood and taking off on the Ha-Ha was all set in motion back in 2009 when I crewed on Profligate. After that Ha-Ha, the decision was always not if, but when. And now is our time to move on and live a different life, one that involves more sailing, more cruising, and more living. Jill and I will spend some time in the Sea of Cortez and then, well, we'll find out as we go."
Beach Party! This one is at Turtle Bay.
P.S. For those of you who think L'Avventura is a misspelling, we bet it's correct and that Scott and Jill named it after the 1960 Italian drama film L'Avventura, directed by Michelangelo Antonioni. Developed from a story by Antonioni with co-writers Elio Bartolini and Tonino Guerra, the film is about the disappearance of a young woman (Lea Massari) during a boating trip in the Mediterranean, and the subsequent search for her by her lover (Gabriele Ferzetti) and her best friend (Monica Vitti). It was filmed on location in Rome, the Aeolian Islands, and Sicily in 1959 under difficult financial and physical conditions. The film is noted for its unusual pacing, which emphasizes visual composition, mood, and character over traditional narrative development. It won many awards.
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Will there be fish on the Ha-Ha?
Yes, there will. Lots of them, too.
That's Dino and Suzie,
who have done more than 20 Ha-Ha's.
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The Poobah flogs 'Poobah Dogs' on the beach at Turtle Bay to raise money for kids lunches at schools. |
The second stop in the Ha-Ha is at spectacular Bahia Santa Maria.
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The Assistant Poobah, Patsy 'La Reina del Mar', has sailed her Gulfstar 50 Talion to the South Pacific, the Pacific Northwest,
and done like 15 Ha-Ha's. |
To get to the Bahia Santa Maria rock 'n roll party you have to brave the bar.
It's best done in a panga. |
All the way from La Paz, by bus, boat and truck,
live rock 'n roll in the middle of nowhere.
Conga line? Why not. Dona de Mallorca often leads the way.
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We all need help sometime.
This cat was towed all the way from
Bahia Santa Maria to Cabo |
From the private Mango Deck Terrace Ha-Ha'ers
have a view of all their boats at anchor.
What better way to finish an adventure than with a
From Here to Eternity Kiss in the surf in Cabo?
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