Racing to the Transpac Race start line

The 53rd edition of the biennial Transpacific Yacht Race, established in 1906 and organized by the Transpacific Yacht Club, celebrated the official start of 2025 festivities at its Aloha Send Off Party on June 28.

The 53-boat fleet officially begins the 2225nm course with staggered starts on July 1, 3, 5, racing from the starting line off California’s Point Fermin to the finish line off Oahu’s world-famous Diamond Head. For many sailors, the party signaled the conclusion of the crucial race-before-the-race.

“Given the length of this race and all of the demands to properly prepare, it’s really quite an achievement just to make it to the starting line,” notes TYC Commodore Bill Guilfoyle. “That alone warrants celebration.”

At the Aloha Send Off Party, two traditional Hawaiian dancers performed a kahiko to bless the fleet. “The Kahiko is all about gearing up. We treat all voyages the same — as if we are sending people to war,” explains Luau dancer Kamalei.

“When you go into battle, you need to be strong, steadfast and clear about your duties. So we honor where you came from and where you are about to go. And then we call on god and all of creation to look after them.”

Afa, a Maui/Tongan dancer, followed with a stunning New Zealand haka — a powerful performance that overwhelmed the crowd. “This isn’t about a gentle blessing,” reports Kamalei. “This is telling these sailors they have good mana and will go into this voyage with strength. These sailors are about to embark on a voyage that most people will never do in their lifetime.”

Then, one by one, each skipper and crew were called to the stage to receive a kukui nut lei, specially flown in from Honolulu and blessed by a Hawaiian elder.

“The sailors can take these leis back to their boats, and these leis can accompany them across the Pacific for a safe and successful passage,” Guilfoyle said.

The gathering also served a symbolic purpose. “The commodore called everyone together,” noted TYC Rear Commodore Alli Bell. “We did our first group Aloha, and it was like, ‘OK, now the race has started.’”

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Source: TYC