Selling avocados with sailing

by Craig Leweck, Scuttlebutt
Likely a result of my Southern California upbringing, but Mexican food is a way of life, and with that comes guacamole being a way of living. So you don’t need to sell me on the importance of avocados.

However, for the rest of the planet there is the World Avocado Organization (WAO), a multinational non-profit organization that represents the avocado industry to promote the consumption of this superfood. They are particularly eager for other regions to join my love, and are testing how sailing can help them do that.

Following the tradition of the Lipton Cup (as Lipton Tea was wildly popular in the early 1900’s), the WAO and the San Diego Yacht Club (SDYC) will debut the World Avocado Cup Regatta set in the heart of San Diego Bay on July 13-14, 2019.

“Hosting the first regatta in one of the top avocado-producing areas in the world seemed like a natural fit in promoting the healthy life-style that avocados represent,” said Xavier Equihua, President & CEO of WAO.

This is viewed as a win-win for SDYC which has grown its club-owned fleet of J/22s to ten boats, and through this multi-year partnership will, among other things, receive ten new suits of sails – main, jib, and spinnaker. With flashy graphics promoting the fruit and the nations that produce it, the WAO will be on full display through the active use of these boats.

“The World Avocado Cup Regatta marks the first time in the SDYC’s prestigious and venerated history, collaborating with an international food commission to host such an event,” said SDYC Commodore Jerelyn Biehl. “We are proud to represent our beautiful city and showcase the world of sailing with our fleet and sailing venue.”

Most importantly (to me) is how the après sailing will have no shortage of avocado-based recipes from all over the globe to try, along with avocado beer and margaritas. Anytime you can merge sponsorship with my appetite, it’s a win-win for me too.