Typically, in late June, just around the time of Summer Sailstice fleets of trailer sails make their way to Huntington lake at about 7,000 feet above sea level for the High Sierra Regatta but not this year. There have been many casualties from the California drought and a variety of lake sailing locations are one of them.
Randy and Sheryl Wiggins wrote in and sent pics of the sorry state of Huntington lake sailing:
'We look forward every Summer to this great event!. We are lake sailors and have enjoyed sailing on Huntington Lake, Lakeshore, California for over 50 years. With the drought in California and farmers needing the water they "own", Huntington Lake is being emptied and will remain about 35% of normal. As you can see (below) from the pictures we attached, there is not enough water to even get our sailboats into the water. All regatta races have been canceled; this is the first cancellation of regattas in 60 years!'
'However, my wife will wear her Summer Solstice tee shirt on June 21 that we purchased at the boat show at Jack London Square, Oakland California in April and hoop & holler and celebrate in spirit with the sailors sailing that day.'
Good Wind,
Randy and Sheryl
There'll be thousands of sailors who can hoop & holler while afloat in wetter portions of the country but the spirit of sailing isn't something easily overcome - event standing on the shores of an almost dry lake bed. And there's always the alternative of land sailing for Summer Sailstice!
We appreciate the Wiggins being there in spirit. Sailing is an outdoor sport and subject to the weather. We suspect they won't be the only ones unable to sail because of Mother Nature this year. Try as we might - it's just hard to have workable sailing conditions everywhere on one weekend of the year. If conditiions keep you landbound this year just take a moment to hoop & holler on Summer Sailstice. Surely the conditions will come around to suit you soon again.
Fair Winds.
Long way down to try to launch a sailboat at Huntington Lake in 2014.
And from below it's a long way up to the docks. Hope everyone appreciates their vegetables and nuts this year. Courtesy of Huntington Lake sailors!
Huntington Lake in a better year.