Summer Sailstice is relaunching its website Summersailstice.com in time for its 13th celebration of the year’s longest weekend of daylight right before the Summer Solstice on June 22. The website has new tools and features to help sailors create, share and publicize their Summer Sailstice sailing plans.
Created in 2001 and celebrated around the world, the “holiday” aims to connect the global sailing community in a way that showcases the different aspects of sailing life through locally-planned events. Over 19,000 sailors have participated in past years. Events have been planned by individuals, yacht clubs and even colleges.
One goal of Summer Sailstice is to spread to non-sailors the idea that sailing is more than just a sport. “Sailing’s more fun, more affordable, and more accessible than most people realize. A global sailing celebration, with all types of boats, big and small…helps showcase a much truer representation of the entire sailing world,” John Arndt, Summer Sailstice’s founder, says.
Ardnt also hopes that, with the enhanced communication the relaunched website provides, fleets and clubs that may be suffering from decreased participation can promote Summer Sailstice events together for more publicity.
“Beyond that it’s the beginning of the peak sailing season, it’s the longest days of the year and it’s fun,” Ardnt says.
Check out photos from last year’s SAIL staff celebration of Sailstice!
Photo by Isa Pagani