Friday, March 30, 2007
Information on Loreto Fest 2007HPYC started as an idea the afternoon of Nov. 1, 1993 when Bob & Peetie "Vela" and Norm & Gigi "Phase II" were sitting have a cool one, Bob said "Let’s start a yacht club." What an idea for Puerto Escondido. The first thoughts of a "Harbor Clean Up Day" were mentioned in the June 10th, 1994 minutes. As the story goes, everyone thought cleaning up the harbor and land area was a great idea, but getting everyone together at one time seemed to be the big challenge. A pot luck dinner was announced, all those coming to the dinner were met with a surprise – before the dinner there was going to be a "Harbor Clean Up". All agreed this was so much fun "Let's do it again next year". January 1996 started the planning for the first "Loreto Fest" Now has become a four day event.
Loreto Fest 2007 plans are nearly complete, and the hopes for this year’s event to be the best. Everyone, land or sea is invited to come have fun and participate in the music, games, kayak parade, seminars, clean up. There are some different ideas for the Candeleros Regatta this year. Please read our web page for full details a schedule of events will be posted closer to the dates.
LORETO FEST 2006: A SUCCESS
Approximately 200 people came to Loreto Fest this past year. Singlar lowered the prices for mooring in the harbor and the Mexican government did away with the check in and out. This year the Club is still waiting to hear what the mooring and anchoring rates will be. A final decision is expected to be handed down on Saturday, March 31 and will be posted here as soon as it is available.
Loreto Fest has long been held as the Swan Song of the Cruising Season. Many boaters make Loreto their last stop on the way to San Carlos to store the boat for another season. So make the effort and the stop, Loreto Fest has usually been one of the best boater's parties on The Sea!
Loreto Fest has also become a music fest, each year there are more people coming to add to the entertainment.
What is the purpose of HPYC? Helping our national friends and neighbors and for the education of children has been our goal. During the last 10 years we have helped send children to school, donated medical supplies to the hospital, helped the cultural center, donated air conditioners to the handicap school, aided the Internado School in Loreto and Lugui, helped the bicycle club of Loreto, gave financial aid to the battered mothers and children program in Loreto, drug and alcohol for men and women, Green Angels, plus help some of our cruiser friends when they have had disasters.
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USGS Earthquake Hazards Program » Magnitude 2.5 - BAJA CALIFORNIA, MEXICO
Posted: Sv Seazure
Subject: Radio Protocol in The Sea of Cortez
Location: Baja Sur
B1: Submit
Date: 30-03-07
Time: 11:02 -0800
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During this busy portion of the cruising season on Baja California, boaters need use common courtesey in addition to following propper radio usage. 1) Wait and listen, be sure the channel you are calling on is free of traffic. 2) In the Sea of Cortez Ch22A is commonly used as a harbor hailing frequency. Although it is an open channel, many consider it a hailing only frequency out of courtesey from the Mexican government 3) If you are in a marina or anchored very close to other boats in these specified Ch22 areas, channels 21 and 23 should be the LAST channels you select to use. Bleed from poorly tuned radions (about 50% of the manufactured items out there) will disrupt the conversations of all around you. 4) know how and when to use the low/high power feature of your radio. 5) If it ain't 100% working - get it fixed! It is probably the most important piece of safety equipment, universally used for ALL marine emergencies - right after your brain!
But we'll let those folks in Minnesota keep their fantasy that we are just being discovered. (Still laughing!) <Postbulletin.com: Cruisers discover Mexico's splendor - Sat, Mar 31, 2007
Thursday, March 29, 2007
Cruising Events in the Sea of Cortez - Loreto Fest“Loreto Fest 2007”
4 Days of FUN and MUSIC
May 3rd, 4th, 5th and 6th Puerto Escondido, Baja
The answer to everyone’s question “Will there be a Loreto Fest 2007”? YES! YES! YES!
Loreto Fest Activites
Entertainment – Music
Bay Clean Up
(This was the start of Loreto Fest)
Fourth Annual Candelaros Classic Regatta
Craft Workshops – Seminars – Music Workshops
Ham Testing New or Upgrade
Spam Contest - Chili Cook-Off
Silent Action – Swap Meet
Water Volley Ball – Dinghy Races –Kayak Parade – Dinghy Poker
Board Games – Horse Shoe – Over the Line & Much More
Events for Kids
T-Shirts – Burgees – Beer Cozies –
Hot Dogs – Beer – Etc.
$10.00 Membership gets you a free dinner – pancake breakfast at Loreto Fest. (Kids are considered junior members with parent’s membership and eat free.) HPYC is also an international club with privileges at other Marina’s. Proceeds from Loreto Fest go to the Local Community, Schools, Hospital, individual locals, and our own community of cruisers when there has been a tragedy.
By Email: Give us a heads up if you will be attending; this helps the Food Planning Committee.
Please contact us if you would like to do a seminar, workshop, play music, be a committee head, work on a committee.
Musicians: Loreto Fest has come to be the BEST MUSIC FEST in the sea. Come play an instrument, sing, and dance and entertain everyone. Put together a skit, the “Grapevine Dancers” a couple of years ago had everyone totally amused.
Items are needed for the silent action. This can be anything from Gift Basket of Wine and Cheese (use your imagination, maybe a gift tool box!), arts and crafts, paintings.
Loreto Fest is planned months in advance, but only comes together with everyone’s help.
hiddenportyachtclub@hotmail.com
Thanks!
Please watch the Web Pages: www.hiddenportyachtclub.com – www.bajainsider.com - www.latitudemexico.com
Wednesday, March 28, 2007
La Paz Malecone Walkway Compete(Click on images in this article to enlarge)
The Malecón is one of La Paz’s most endearing features and has long been a focal point of La Paz life. The walkway along the frontage of the Ensenada de La Paz, or Malecón, is a favorite place to stroll on Sunday afternoons, enjoy the sunset on almost any evening and of course is the home to Carnaval La Paz. More... (and photos)
Tuesday, March 27, 2007
Marina de La Paz joins EMPRHOTUR - Latitude MexicoMarina de La Paz joins EMPRHOTUR - Latitude Mexico
Monday, March 26, 2007
Pro Peninsula E-bulletinRead more here and get invloved in the preservation of the Mar de Cortez
Pro Peninsula E-bulletin
Sunday, March 25, 2007
thedesertsun.com | Microquake near Yucca Valley Sat. night, mag. 3.7 near Calexico this morningSaturday, March 24, 2007
Baja California Boating Safety - Your VHF RadioRecently, I have noticed how many vessels sailing the
Your VHF radio should be checked regularly, connections inspected and cleaned and when in doubt – replace the whole darn thing. Pinched cables, corrosion, moisture and just plain time can take its toll on your radio. Even cleaning corrosion from the surface of the emitter antenna can make a significant difference in your radio’s health and output.
Your VHF radio transmits in basically, line of sight. Your radio’s unobstructed range should be easily 15-20 miles. The radio on my vessel is tuned and checked regularly and I have carried on conversations with similarly well tuned radios from my location in La Paz to their location near Magdalena Bay on the Pacific side and Agua Verde about 45 miles north in the Sea. It is also prudent to have an auxiliary antenna. A 6’ whip can be purchased for under $40. Most sailboats carry their antenna on the top of the mast. In the event of a de-masting, your communications ability will go overboard with the mast. DO NOT RELY ON A HANDHELD AS A BACKUP! All handhelds are a fraction of the power of a ship board VHF and may only broadcast a few miles. Transmitting n full power (3Watts vs: 25 for inboard models) a set of batteries may only last a few minutes, not adequate in the event of an emergency.
Test your radio on a non-working frequency with a friend or other radio operator. Check your range, clarity and modulation. Know how to use the radio, proper radio protecall and what to do if you are on the receiving end of an emergency call.
In
If your radio does not pass muster – replace it, now. For less than $200 you can replace the entire system and enjoy a great degree of safety while navigating the