Encinal Yacht Club hosted its first Summer Sailstice celebration last weekend with more than an estimated 1,000 sailors and friends from around the Bay Area participating in the event.
Summer Sailstice events have been held across the Northern Hemisphere for more than a decade to encourage sailors to enjoy the long weekend. In the Bay Area, Treasure Island hosted the celebrations for the past several years. It moved to Alameda this year.
"There was a desire to find a spot with less wind and more space," said Mike Scheck, chairman and past president of the Alameda-based yacht club. "Our venue here is made to order, and the success of this event shows we have what it takes to get people down to the waterfront." Read More
Photo Caption: West Marine-Alameda employees on the Leaky Tiki Team, from left, Ken Stacy, Chris Larsen and Ryan Wilson construct a catamaran as part of the 2011 Summer Sailstice celebration at Encinal Yacht Club on June 18.
More photos from Alameda Summer Sailstice at Encinal Yacht Club:
Music, information booths and vendors entertained the crowds.
The West Marine 'Leaky Tiki' team is about to set sail with their AC 45 inspired wind-sailed, plywood catamaran built, launched and sailed in just one day.
Premier event sponsors Bay Marine Boatworks gathered the crew for the festivities. From left to right: Eric Haberli, Erik Mattson, Brenda Tostenson & Mary Jordan