Utah lass wants to enter the Baja ha-ha!

[tika_b]

Hullo! I'm a rocky mountain girl who's recently been interested in sailing the Pacific. While raised in Utah I was born in Venezuela, so I've always spoken Spanish and loved the sea. in fact, i almost went into marine biology before settling on political science.
In a year i graduate, then it's to infinity and beyond! I don't dream of circumnavigating the world, but i would like to sail the south Pacific (cook islands, Samoa, Tonga, etc.) once I've gained enough experience. I'm going to apply for a Teach For America (Americorp) opportunity to teach in Hawaii for a couple of years- that or whatever other coastal region they have available for me.
I took a very basic introductory sailing outing and our instructor told me to consider entering the baja ha-ha to meet people and gain experience. But on the website, they speak in terms of captains registering their boats. How might i hop on board? Anyone going and looking for hard working and enthusiastic crew? I can make some mean Venezuelan food too...
Best,
Loren

[rebel heart]

There are some Internet ways to do it, but if you can be in San Diego during October you'll be around all the boats and the crews. I saw quite a few people walking around the seminars and Haha parties handing out little pieces of paper about themselves.

To be completely honest though if you're a girl who speaks Spanish and can cook with basic sailing skills, you'll find something quick.

[Paul Elliott]

The Ha-Ha would be good experience and fun. You might also consider trying to get a crew position on a boat returning to the mainland from one of the Hawaii races. The Transpac is July 2013 (odd years), and the Pacific Cup, and Vic-Maui are in July 2014 (even years). The return trip is a good way to get the experience of a multi-week ocean passage. You will probably need a bit more than basic skills, but you don't need to be a racing rock-star to crew on a return trip.

[Bash]

There's an app for that: Latitude 38 Mexico Crew List Form

[tika_b]

Oo thanks for that form- so I needn't apply for anything formal, just drop in on their seminars and parties with personal info (resume/cv) to hand out to people the week before and I'll more likely than not find people to sail with?

[s/v Beth]

Loren, if you decide to go on the Coho Ho Ho I can get you up there as I am traveling to Seattle the second week of August. Just let me know.

[rebel heart]

Originally Posted by tika_b

Oo thanks for that form- so I needn't apply for anything formal, just drop in on their seminars and parties with personal info (resume/cv) to hand out to people the week before and I'll more likely than not find people to sail with?

Call up Downwind Marine and ask for Lee. Tell him Eric from Rebel Heart said he's the smart guy for figuring this out. He can give you some good advice. That's the San Diego hub of the haha.

[SkiprJohn]

Aloha and welcome aboard!
Good to have you here and good luck on finding a crew position.
Do some research and reading about the Baha Ha Ha so you know what is required and what to expect.
kind regards,

[deckofficer]

tika_b,

Rebel Heart and Paul Elliott speak from experience and newt is a really nice guy, so you hit gold with your 1st post. Welcome to CF.

[csmithers]

I'm planning on doing the Baja Haha and looking for crew right now. It's a long ways off still so nothing is definite, but it's good to make contacts. PM me if interested.

You'll have absolutely no problem finding a boat, I'm pretty sure.

[ErikFinn]

My friend I leaving Panama to cross the Pacific in a few weeks in a 60 feeter, if you want me to ask him about crewing just give shout and I can contact him.
Erik

[rebel heart]

Just another thing to the original poster:

More often than not the thing that makes a boat fun is the attitude and disposition of people onboard. The HaHa isn't the longest trip in the world, but in general I wouldn't want to get on a boat with someone for anything of that distance without meeting the people first hand and talking a bit.