Wednesday, April 13, to Sunday, April 17, 2005, Jack London Square, Oakland

Strictly Sail is an annual mecca for sailors. Over 300 exhibitors from around the world create the largest all-sail marketplace on the West Coast. Sailors can view boats that range from small prams to the luxurious Swan 60; racers and cruisers can see the latest developments in gear and equipment and talk to product experts. But Strictly Sail has more than boats and gear. This year, Olympic Gold medalist Kevin Burnham and Oakland’s round-the-world racer Bruce Schwab will make special appearances. There are Discover Sailing opportunities so sailors of all ages can get out on the water. There are over 90 seminars taught by experts who travel to Oakland from ports all over the world; you’d log a lot of blue water miles to meet them all, but they save you the trip by coming to this five-day festival to share their expertise, their stories, and their passion for sailing. And don’t forget the live music and evening get-togethers. Below are some of the special attractions and celebrities coming to Strictly Sail Pacific 2005.

Bruce Schwab
When San Francisco Bay sailor Bruce Schwab set sail around the world, he had a clear goal: to become the first American sailor to complete the grueling Vendee Globe. On February 25, after sailing over 23,000 miles in this solo, non-stop event, Schwab achieved that goal. He comes home to Oakland for his first appearance in California since he finished the race. Come hear the story of the first American to complete the race considered the most extreme event is sailing. Schwab made his epic voyage on an Ocean 60 named Ocean Planet; the name of his “home” for 109 days has special importance. “The name Ocean Planet evokes an awareness of the connectivity of all humans—and the key role that our oceans play in connecting all of us living aboard this watery blue rock,” said Schwab. Schwab will speak at Strictly Sail on Sunday afternoon, April 17.

Kevin Burnham
When 470 sailor Kevin Burnham won a Gold medal with Paul Foerster at the Athens Olympics, he earned the distinction of becoming the oldest Gold medalist at the 2004 Summer Games. But when you meet him, you find that fact hard to believe. His 100-watt smile is electric. His enthusiasm is combustible. He made that clear to the world when he crossed the final finish line in Athens. When he and Foerster finished and knew they had captured the Gold, a simple cheer or a fist in the air was not enough. Burnham unclipped his trapeze harness and did a perfect back flip off the boat—leaving Foerster alone to douse the spinnaker and round up to retrieve him. The duo was recently named the 2004 Rolex Yachtsmen of the Year, and Burnham will be at Strictly Sail to tell the story of their quest for Gold and the final race in Athens. He tells the story the way few others can. He makes you laugh. He brings you into the cockpit in the final race. And in telling his story, he gives you a brief look at the heart of a true champion. Burnham will be at the show on Friday, April 15, and Saturday, April 16. On Friday, from 4:45 to 5:45 p.m., he will appear at the Mount Gay Speaker Series, presented by US SAILING.

Hooked on Classics
You might prefer a souped-up ride for the racecourse or the timeless beauty of classic boats may still turn your head. This year at Strictly Sail you’ll see Elizabeth Muir, a 48-footer launched in the early 1990s that WoodenBoat magazine called “one of the finest examples of a traditional, hand-crafted yacht afloat today.” Elizabeth Muir was built by “Babe” Lamerdin and John Linderman over the course of 11 years of weekends working in a Bolinas boat yard. “Look at these incredible little jewelry box joints,” said Lamerdin at the time of her launching. “And the rudder; it was so beautiful, we didn’t paint it for a long time because it was too gorgeous.” Come and see a yacht that was truly a labor of love.

The schooner Ka’iulani also takes a detour to Strictly Sail. A replica of an 1800s Pacific Coast gaff-rigged schooner run by an organization called Call of the Sea, Ka’iulani helps connect more people to the sea by offering the hands-on experience of voyaging on a traditional sailing ship. You can sail onboard Ka’iulani from the show (for an additional charge; $10 for juniors and $20 for adults); the schooner will do a special sail on Saturday morning for junior sailors.

Junior Sailor Central
The booth for Bay Area Youth Sailing (BAYS) is Junior Sailor Central during Strictly Sail. Here, beginning sailors and their parents can learn about summer sailing programs. Young racers can learn about opportunities to compete in the Bay area. You’ll be able to watch an Optimist regatta from the show docks and track the race results of the Pacific Coast Championship, a competition for top high school sailors from California and Hawaii that takes place on the Estuary during the show weekend. Advanced junior racers can step onboard a high-performance 505 and crew for an experienced skipper on Saturday. (The 505s can be wet and wild, so bring your spray gear!) If you want to sign up for 505 sailing and inquire about competing in the Optimist regatta, contact Sheila Maher Mahersailor@comcast.com.

Discover Sailing
Are you new to sailing? Once you enter the show gates, head straight to the Discover Sailing dock to take your first step into the sport. Sign up for a sail with an expert skipper and get out on the water to learn from a veteran. You can also find out about sailing opportunities and even pitch in for some hands-on experience. A half-hour sail with a Discover Sailing skipper is free with the price of show admission. The program’s also valuable for experienced racers and cruisers: it’s a great way to introduce friends and family to the sport. You’ll find a wealth of information geared to new sailors at www.discoversailing.com.

Mexico Pavilion
Sugar-white beaches and dramatic mountain backdrops; whales, dolphins, and manta rays; a lazy cruising pace and protected anchorages: if that’s your idea of bliss, head south to Mexico and the Sea of Cortez. But before you do, stop at Strictly Sail’s Mexico Pavilion. A new addition to the show, the Pavilion is the place to research marinas and charts and get travel information; rub shoulders with sailors who’ve cruised there; sign up to win a free Moorings charter out of La Paz; and get inspired by Friday’s mariachi music. Friday is also “Cruise Mexico” day under the seminar tent—and the seminars and a trip to the Pavilion will tell you all you need to know to plan your next excursion south of the border.

Seminar Themes
This year, Strictly Sail has dedicated one of three seminar rooms to a daily theme. Other topics will also run on the same day, but having some seminars follow one topic lets sailors pick their days and plan ahead.

†Wednesday: Electronics and Technology †Thursday: Do It Yourself †Friday: Cruise Mexico †Saturday: Offshore Passage making †Sunday: Destination †Sunday: Women & Family Day

Half- and Full-Day Seminars
At Strictly Sail, you can attend a seminar for an hour, head back out to look at boats and gear, see some friends, and take in another seminar later in the day. But you can also use the show to get some serious time with experts. A day-long US SAILING Safety at Sea seminar will be held on Sunday, April 17, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Waterfront Plaza in Jack London Square. Many offshore races stipulate that a certain percentage of each boat’s crew complete this program. U.S. Naval Academy Vanderstar Chair and Cruising World magazine technical editor Ralph Naranjo will moderate the program, endorsed by Cruising World and Sailing World magazines and sponsored by West Marine, ZODIAC, and Oregon Scientific. Participants get a discount by registering in advance. Visit www.strictlysail.com or e-mail Lia Spinelli (lia@sailameria.com). A North U Trim seminar will be held on Saturday, April 16, and Sunday, April 17. The seminar helps sailors sharpen their racing skills with an emphasis on practical, proven techniques. The two-day class runs from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. Saturday’s session is dedicated to upwind sailing; Sunday’s is dedicated to sailing downwind.

For advance registration, go to www.strictlysail.com or call NorthU at 1-800-43-SAILS. If you’re planning to sail the 2006 West Marine Pacific Cup, head to Strictly Sail to attend the Pacific Cup Yacht Club’s “Explore the Possibilities Seminar.” The seminar will be held on Saturday, April 16, from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., and will feature marine-industry experts, naval architects, and experienced sailors. Sailors can also see the Schumacher 46 Surprise, which is fitted out for the race. For additional information, visit www.PacificCup.com.

TGIF and the Cruisers’ Bash
TGIF is an honored tradition at Strictly Sail Pacific. Plan to stick around on Friday night when exhibitors throw out the red carpet for showgoers who start their weekend at the show. On Saturday, the Fourth Annual Cruisers’ Bash kicks into gear at 7 p.m. The event is a famous good-time tradition for West Coast sailors. These social events are free with the price of admission.

For more information on Strictly Sail Pacific, visit www.strictlysail.com or call 1-800-817-SAIL (7245).