BEYOND THE BAJA HA-HA
Since I announced that this year's Ha-Ha XXXI will be the last, a number of people have noted that there will be a vacuum of sorts for southbound boats in the fall of 2026. And several individuals and groups have mentioned they are thinking of coming up with a replacement event or have wondered what would be required to do that.
Speaking as the honcho of all 31 Ha-Ha's, let me make one thing clear. The Ha-Ha might appear to be a simple event, but it's extremely complicated with numerous obstacles. It's only continued to exist because of long-term personal relationships we've developed with various government agencies and officials in Mexico City, Cabo San Lucas, Mulegé, and San Carlos. Equally important are long personal relationships with key individuals and businesses in San Diego, Turtle Bay, Bahia Santa Maria, San Carlos, and Cabo San Lucas. It has taken decades to figure out who these people are, and even more important, how to contact them.
Over the years I've lost a lot of sleep navigating what was required to keep the Ha-Ha alive. Were it not for these personal relationships, the Ha-Ha would have expired years ago. One year it took special dispensation from the highest levels of the Mexican Navy in Mexico City. And later pulling off getting an Immigration Office established on the back of Profligate in Bahia Santa Maria remains something I still find hard to believe.
Over the years countless well-intentioned people have asked endless 'why doesn't the Ha-Ha do this or that as it would be so much easier' questions. Such as why not stop in Ensenada and check into Mexico there? Oh dear, as if these people think we haven't considered that and every other possible option over the decades. If someone doesn't understand why the Ensenada thing can't possibly work, they have no idea what's involved in the Ha-Ha.
When I started the Ha-Ha in 1994 I had a lot of things going for me. First off, I was the owner and publisher of Latitude 38, which gave me tremendous access to the sailing community as well as legitimacy. And I was going south with my own boat no matter if anybody else was going to join me. But more than anything, the big advantage was that it was a simpler time back then. Things have become more complicated with the Mexican government. Much, much more complicated.
Some of the things a new event would likely need:
— A legitimate enough organization to get Latitude 38 magazine to buy in. Latitude is critical for publicity and connecting with the dozens of businesses who support the Ha-Ha. In addition, they work with the Ha-Ha in creating the free First Timer's Guide to Mexico and Meet the Fleet, which combined are well over 120 pages. In addition to Latitude's considerable time and expense, somebody has to update all the information in those booklets as well as write the 140 or so boat bios. I've written every bio to date, and while it's a labor of love, it takes a lot of time. But without Latitude 38, any future event similar to the Ha-Ha would be a real stretch.
— Somebody to design, manage, and constantly update the website.
— Some extremely knowledgeable person would need to answer all the questions from participants and potential participants. Someone with current knowledge of what's going on in Mexico with regard to marinas, clearing in, TIPs, insurance, various forms of communications, and every nautical question under the sun. Over the years Assistant Poobah Patsy Verhoeven has answered as many as 1,000 email questions in one year. It's a lot of work, even if you know most of the answers off the top of your head.
— After setting up a corporate structure, you'd be wise to obtain liability insurance for the event as well as for the kick-off party. It's not so easy to get.
— Finding a kick-off party venue in San Diego. Because Latitude and West Marine were founded at almost the same time and have had a forever relationship, and the Ha-Ha is a well-known entity to West Marine, the Ha-Ha has been able to use their parking lot for the kick-off party. About the only other local option would be the Portuguese Hall. They want $10,000.
Having just gotten started listing what would be required, actually the easy stuff, I realize that I've got better things to do with my afternoon. Like the boat bios for this year's Ha-Ha.
Jumping to the bottom line, I can report that there are a number of Ha-Ha veterans from Profligate that are toying with the idea of a post Baja Ha-Ha event. Collectively they know a lot of what's involved and many of the key people involved. In November, after this year's Ha-Ha, I'll be discussing what plans, if any, they have, and whether they'll get my blessing.
If they decide it's too much, I'll be willing to discuss in detail with others what's involved in putting on such an event, and even more important, who they need to know. So I suggest that nobody get too invested in any plans until mid-November.
As for me, I have one goal, and that is to make sure the last Baja Ha-Ha is as good as it can possibly be.
Thanks for understanding.
P.S. Someday I'll have to tell the story of how the continuation of the Ha-Ha a number of years ago was based on a chance meeting I had in Paris with the Director of Tourism for Baja California Sur. I'd first met her about six months before when she stumbled to the ground rounding second base in the Cruisers versus Kids Bazeball game in Turtle Bay. As I helped pick her up and dust her off, I mumbled something in bad French because I'd only recently returned from a summer in Paris. She responded in French! Imagine, a Yank and a Mexican speaking bad French on the baseball diamond in Turtle Bay. Anyway, without that chance meeting on the ball field in Turtle Bay, and the later one at a bistro at St. Michel in Paris, the Ha-Ha would have ceased to exist about five years ago.
Crew clearing into Mexico on the back of Profligate in Bahia Santa Maria.
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