SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

2010 40th Midwinters West, Bahia de San Felipe, B.C. MEXICO

Regatta Headquarters: El Cortez Hotel - Room 134

Friday March 26th

3:00 - 6:00 PM      Registration at room 134
6:00 PM               Welcome Party on the beach

Saturday March 27th

7:00 - 9:30 AM      Registration at room 134
10:00 AM              Competitor Meeting...on the beach next to room 134
10:15 AM              Novice Meeting...on the beach next to room 134
11:00 AM              First Signal (wind permitting)

6:00 PM -          FIESTA!!! Pool side at the El Cortez
                              (This is a good time to tell stories about how you almost won the last race!)

Sunday March 28th

8:00 AM               HCA Division Meeting
9:00 AM              Competitor Meeting...on the beach next to room 134
11:00 AM             First Signal (wind permitting)
After Races          Trophy presentation as soon as possible after last race


Other activities, any changes of schedule and general information will be posted on the Official Notice Board.

REGISTRATION

The registration fee for this Regatta is $45.00 (USD)for Waves, 14’s and 17’s and $55.00 (USD) for 16’s, 18’s, Tigers, 20’s. Two shirts included for $55.00 entries, one shirt for $45.00 entries received by February 27, 2010. No regatta registration fee will be required for youth sailors under the age of 18.

2010 HCA membership is required to compete in this event. For advertising purposes, this regatta is a category C event (ISAF Appendix G). There will be a $20.00 late fee for registrations postmarked after 2/27/2010. You may pre-order extra shirts on your registration form for $15.00 each. Make checks payable to Midwinters West.

TROPHIES

Trophies will be based on pre-registration. Five or more pre-registered boats constitute a fleet, one trophy per five boats, and a maximum five trophies per fleet.

Rules

This Regatta is hosted by Hobie Flota 469, & will be governed by the NOR for this event (except as altered by the Sailing Instructions), the 2009-2012 Racing Rules of Sailing and the class rules of the IHCA.
Sailing Instructions will be available at on-site regatta registration.

2010 HCA Membership and Comp Tips are mandatory.

Bring cat wheels as every effort will be made to run as many races as possible, regardless of tides.

Donations

Articles of clothing and canned goods will be collected at regatta registration as gifts for local fisherman, and their families. Please do not mail donations; bring donations to the regatta site.

TRAVELING IN BAJA MEXICO

Passports and Visas: Passports are required. The wait time to receive a new passport after applying is about 2 months...start the process now, don't wait! If you have questions regarding passports please check the US State Departments web site. There is no Visa required to enter or leave Baja California when traveling to San Felipe.

For those sailors who have not been to San Felipe before, the following is some information that may be useful.


General Safety: The Mexican authorities make a great effort to make our visit to San Felipe safe and enjoyable, but you are reminded that traveling in Mexico is not travel in the United States. Additional precautions should be taken, use some common sense. The customs and culture are different and behavior that is common in the USA may not be acceptable or may be misinterpreted by the Mexican people. Act responsibly, do not make yourself a target, do not drink to excess, and do not go out alone late at night.

Insurance & Documents: Liability insurance is required by Mexican law. It can be purchased from our Sponsor... "Insurance4Mexico.net" 24/7, or an agent on either side of the border, and from AAA on-line. Mexico Customs Agents will likely verify ownership of vehicles, boats and trailers. You will need current registrations for all vehicle(s), trailer(s), & boat(s). If you are using or bringing a vehicle, trailer or boat that is not registered in your name, you are required to have a notarized letter of permission from the owner(s). NOTE: Over the past years, Mexican Customs Officials have become much more formal, checking vehicle, boat and trailer registrations. Don’t make the long drive without these papers or you may have to turn around at the border.

Driving: Obey the posted speed limits and avoid receiving a ticket. Don’t drink and drive - it is against the law to do so in Mexico. A stop (ALTO) is required at railroad crossings in Mexico. Mexican security check points are normally in place between Mexicali and San Felipe, the military personnel are courteous. Their primary purpose is to prevent the illegal transport of drugs and weapons.

El Cortez Hotel: Follow the highway to the stop light (normally not working.) Turn right and continue. The El Cortez will be on the left.