Three Cheers for Summer Sailstice

Today is the longest day of the year - an occasion of particular resonance for sailors in the northern hemisphere…specifically those of us who work office jobs and need to time that mad dash for the marina.

As this article in the Tahoe Daily Tribune details, solstice celebrations go back many millennia. Originally a pagan holiday, several European countries celebrate June 24 as Midsummer's Day. William Shakespeare's "A Midsummer Night's Dream" was inspired by the frivolity of the solstice holiday, which is preceded by all-night feasting and revelry.

What you may not have known is that this is also, officially, summer Sailstice - billed as "The Global Celebration of Sailing on the Solstice."

Says the official summer Sailstice website:

"Summer Sailstice is the global holiday celebrating sailing held annually on the summer solstice, the longest sailing day of the year. This international event was founded to connect the global sailing community in a fun, creative, multifaceted, multi-location sailing holiday."

Three cheers for the Sailstice. Luckily it's a long slow ride to the other side (Winter solstice is December 22).