All Souls Regatta To Break Yachting Records In 2013
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Image: Terry Duckham
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The international All Souls Regatta is now in its 10th year and is set to break all records for the numbers of yachts and sailors gathered for any one sailing event in the Philippines. More than 30 boats are expected to compete in Puerto Galera during the three-day 10th All Souls Regatta.
Starting in 2004, the All Souls Regatta was designed by the Puerto Galera Yacht Club to provide a kick-off party event for the Philippine sailing community at the start of the annual racing season – October through May. It was also expected that it would provide an early start to the peak tourist season along Puerto Galera’s famed beaches. In both respects the All Souls Regatta has been a resounding success.
Nowhere else in the Philippines can you expect to find 30 sailing yachts, with crews from all corners of the World, racing together for the prestige of placing first overall. Nowhere else in the Philippines can you expect to find so many party-goers attending the post-race parties, with such good cheer and enthusiasm for making sailing more fun in the Philippines.
What makes the All Souls Regatta so popular? First, Puerto Galera is a first class sailing destination during the northeast monsoon season, with easterly breezes typically ranging from 10-18 knots every day. Second, the Puerto Galera Yacht Club is a sailing club built by sailors for the enjoyment of sailors – it is not a business club or a country club . . . it is a sailing club. Third, the sailing rules in Puerto Galera are designed for maximum enjoyment of the sport of sailing and the minimum risk of damage to yachts or injury to crew. The free beer after each race probably helps too.
The All Souls Regatta is divided into different racing classes, depending on the type of boat you are sailing. This division by classes allows the out-and-out racers to compete against each other in the same way that the cruising yachts will also compete for glory. Even Hobie 16s and other beach catamarans can compete in their own class and have a chance of raising the overall trophy. Everyone has a chance to be the winner on the day.
The Philippines’ top racing sailors, such as Jun Avecilla (Selma Star) and Ray Ordoveza (Karakoa) will typically join the All Souls Regatta to compete against the other IRC racing yachts. Classic yachts such as Gary Pione’s beautiful 8-meter, Anthea, offer their elegant lines to the proceedings. And any cruising yachts in the vicinity are encouraged to play-boats, even if they are carry a house-full of equipment aboard.
For more than twenty years the Puerto Galera Yacht Club and its typhoon-safe moorings have been the favored port of call for cruising yachts traveling through the Philippines, on their way to Malaysia, Thailand and beyond. Many now return each year, just to join in the fun of the All Souls Regatta.
If there is another aspect of the All Souls Regatta that is largely unique it is that the yacht club makes it a point of honor to find crew places for any visiting sailors aboard competing yachts. This also helps some of the yacht owners who would otherwise be short of crew during the regatta.
If you have a boat in the Philippines at the end of October or if you are a sailor and you are planning to visit the Philippines at this time then come to Puerto Galera for the most fun on and off the water at Halloween.
This year’s All Souls Regatta will be held on the holiday weekend of 1st through 3rd November. This 10th All Souls Regatta is sponsored by Royal Cargo Combined Logistics and others. Support the sport of sailing in the Philippines and join in the fun of the 10th All Souls Regatta, 2013.
For more information visit the Puerto Galera Yacht Club website