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How to Have a Hurrican Harvey Party??
(Corpus Christi, TX)- Every year, when it is about as hot as it can possibly get at the southernmost sailing point of Texas (e.g. next to the Mexican border), the Corpus Christi YC hosts its famous “Surfin Safari” Regatta on the famous Corpus Christi Bay.

However, the latest weather updates indicate it may be truly a “blowing dogs off chains” event as there is now a hurricane warning in the Gulf of Mexico.  It indicates that “Hurricane Harvey” will hit the Texas coast with 80-125 mph winds with massive flooding everywhere! Oh dear.  For sure, the regatta will get postponed.

For those of you that have not had the pleasure of sailing in Corpus, just remember one thing- it blows like hell, hot, dry. The key is just drink lots of water.  While the natives of the city are used to the heat, and don’t be surprised to see people wearing long-sleeved shirts, blue jeans, and black sombreros on their heads, for any northerners it will be a study of contrasts, even for northern Texans!!

When we say it does “blow dogs off chains”, we know it can be the equivalent of, or more, of San Francisco’s famous gear-busters in July/ August.  Do remember, in Corpus if it’s blowing 25-35 kts it’s 100 F “hot air”- in other words, it’s a “softer” breeze (air molecules are spaced farther apart, like your mind would be in such heat) than a 22-30 kts 55 deg on SF Bay.  Nevertheless, the enormous chop will cool you off to some degree as you blast upwind and downwind.

There are three J/fleets that form the backbone of the Corpus Christi regatta, the J/22s, J/24s (5th stop of their Texas Tour), and the J/105s.  In the J/22 class, there are crews from Houston, Austin, Kemah, Fort Worth, and, of course, Corpus.  Notably, two of the teams are women owner/ skippers- Nataleigh Perez’s FORGET ME NOT from Fort Worth Boat Club and Linda McDavitt’s BONFIRE from Austin YC.

The J/24s are counting all the races they can in their Texas circuit.  Amongst the notable teams are Stu Juengst’s VANG GO, John Parker’s CHUPACABRA, Chris Holmes’ BAD MOON, Natalie Harden’s famous GIGGLES, Jim Freedman’s MISS CONDUCT and Mark Smith’s AFTER MIDNIGHT.

The J/105 trio includes Josh Richline’s VELOCE, Duncan Samo’s 5th LANDING, and John Bell’s KINDERSPEL 2- all from Corpus Christi YC. All of these J/sailors are looking forward to yet another Corpus “blow-out”!!  For more Surfin Safari Regatta sailing informationAdd to Flipboard Magazine.


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