COMMON QUESTIONS ABOUT SUMMER SAILSTICE
What is Summer Sailstice?
Summer Sailstice is the global holiday celebrating sailing. The goal of Summer Sailstice is to connect the community of sailors who can celebrate and share their common passion for sailing. Summer Sailstice is the only global celebration for sailing open to all sailors - from cruisers to racers and recreational sailors who want to join friends and family, clubs, sailing school buddies or fellow boat owners and go out on the water the weekend of (or closest to) the summer solstice (Northern Hemisphere). Participation in Summer Sailstice is always free.
Why is there no Winter Sailstice?
Actually there is….sort of. Summer Sailstice is celebrated in both the Northern and Southern Hemisphere on the 21st of June (Northern Hemisphere) or December (Southern Hemisphere). If your brave enough, tough enough, addicted enough or just lucky enough to live where it’s warm all the time you can celebrate both holidays. As one wise Australian participant observed when he signed up for our June celebration, “we’ll be celebrating on the shortest day of the year… but on the longest night to party!”
When is the Summer Solstice?
Annually, the Summer season officially begins on June 21st (except in a Leap Year). On the solstice, the sun's apparent position on the celestial sphere reaches its greatest distance above or below the celestial equator, about 23 1/2° of arc. In the Northern Hemisphere, the longest day of the year and the shortest night of the year is when the Sun is farthest north, marking the beginning of summer. At the time of summer solstice, the sun is directly overhead at noon at the Tropic of Cancer.
Who can participate?
Anyone and everyone! Participation is free. Beginners, galley slaves, windsurfers, ocean crossers, outriggers, foilers, multihullers, junior superstars, racers, skippers, crew, pirates and ALL old salts - Owners and aspiring owners – Students to instructors – Yacht club members to Class Association members. In short, anyone who gets on the water under sail. If you sail only once a year, make it on Summer Sailstice. And if you don’t have a boat and want to get on the water head to the CREW LIST, someone is always looking for crew!
Why should I sign up? How will my email be used?
Signing up allows you to share your sailing plans by posting them on our site for others to view, invite others to your own sailing celebration or to connect with others sailing in your area or around the world. Everyone signed up on http://www.summersailstice.com// is automatically entered the year they sign up in our annual prize drawings for prizes from our sponsors – from yacht charters to boats – from gear to gift certificates. You must be signed up in the year the prize is awarded to win. One prize only per signup, one signup per person.
When you sign up, your email privacy is protected. Summer Sailstice does not rent, distribute or sell your email to any third parties. It is used only for communication from Summer Sailstice to event participants. Read our Privacy Policy for additional information.
Is Summer Sailstice a non profit?
Well it might as well be…but technically, no it is meant to be at least a breakeven going concern and is currently a sole proprietorship. It’s been made possible by a group of sailing volunteers and supporters making significant, helpful and generous contributions towards growing a global sailing party! To find out about our Summer Sailstice team, visit ”About Us” for a partial list of supporters.
