Commonly referred to as the Summer Solstice, the sailing community has renamed the longest day of the year, June 21^st in 2014, the Summer Sailstice.

Hundreds of events are scheduled worldwide on the Summer Sailstice, and two are in Michigan:

• Torresen Marine in Muskegon is offering free sailboat rides for the public from 10:30 – 3:30 p.m. Please RSVP at 231-759-8596.
• Northstar Sail Club will be celebrating the event with a rendezvous at Kean’s Marina in Detroit. For those interested in sailing or joining the group, contact craighentschel@me.com.

The state of Michigan reports there are nearly 35,000 sailboats in the state. Many boaters prefer the quiet of a sailboat rather than power boating.

“On a sailboat you’re only limited by time. My wife and I sailed all over Lake St. Clair and into the Great Lakes last summer and spent very little money on fuel,” said Craig Hentschel, cruising chairperson of the Northstar Sail Club, highlighting an advantage to sailing over using a power boat. “Sailing takes you away from everything that is on land, you can enjoy being on the boat and relax quietly,” Hentschel added.

“There are many ways to enjoy a sailboat, through relaxation with friends and family or the thrill of racing,” said MBIA Executive Director Nicki Polan. “We celebrate the Summer Sailstice and inspire more Michiganders to give sailing a try – once you get the bug many sail for their entire lives.” The National Marine Manufacturers Association estimates more than 1.5 million people sail across the country. Many sail clubs have youth sailing programs.

To find more events visit www.summersailstice.com. The website explains why sailing should be celebrated: By celebrating sailing, Summer Sailstice will help the non-sailing world discover sailing, help connect sailors and connect more people to caring for the oceans and waters upon which they sail.

Logo courtesy Michigan Boating Industries Association