Wayfarer sailors around the world are a community of people who, for the most part, genuinely enjoy each other’s company, even if they may be fiercely competitive in a racing event. This is nowhere more true, in my experience, than in a Wayfarer cruising rally where people camp and picnic together, often swapping skippers and crew, with day sails to local sights/sites. For over 20 years now, North American Wayfarers have gathered for a week of camaraderie each summer, rotating among Hermit Island Maine, Killbear Park in Ontario Canada, and Wellesley Island on the U.S. side of the Thousand Islands
— all with striking natural beauty. Periodic rallies have taken in other venues such as the Chesapeake Bay, the Apostle Islands of Lake Superior, and Cedar Key in Florida. Come join in!
If you are able to travel overseas, consider attending one of the annual International Wayfarer rallies that generally follow the same model of camping and day sailing. No need to bring a boat! The most recent rallies have been in Brittany (France), the Netherlands, and Northern Ireland. The North Americans will be hosting the international rally in 2026 or 2027. [Note that the racing internationals are generally held in conjunction with the international cruising rally.] Margie McKelvey, USWA Cruising Secretary
2025 cruising rally schedule announced
Hi, North American Wayfarer Cruise Rally Goers:
Planning is underway for the 2025 Wayfarer cruise rallies and below you will find the latest information on three planned rallies (Killbear, Denmark, Chesapeake Bay) as well as dates and contact organizers with their email addresses. If you are interested in attending any of these rallies, you need to contact the organizer and have your name added to the email list for that event. Even if you are not sure whether or not you will attend the event, but want to keep informed of the planning, contact the organizer.
Killbear Provincial Park, Ontario —July 19-25, 2025
Contact: Alan Asselstine
In conjunction with the rally, there will be the Canadian Wayfarer Association Long Distance Race on July 20.
One of Ontario’s most popular parks, Killbear is located about two and a half hours (more with traffic) north of Toronto near the town of Parry Sound on Georgian Bay, which is part of Lake Huron. The granite outcroppings and clear water provide a wonderful setting for sailing. You will
need to make your own reservation on line for a camping site. Lighthouse Point campground is closest to where we launch and beach the boats. Reservations open at 7:00 AM (ET) five (5) months before
the day that you want a site; you would book on February 19 for a July 19 arrival. Booking is a pretty competitive process so please set up an account at https://reservations.ontarioparks.ca and try out the
process ahead of time. And keep trying on the day that you are doing your actual booking as sites may disappear but open up later if someone has not completed their reservation. Reservations must be made in the name of the person who will pick up the camping permit. Multiple reservations in the same name for the same time period are not allowed. Reservations cannot be changed or cancelled more than four (4) months in advance of your arrival day.
N.B. Due to Killbear’s popularity, there is now a seven-night maximum stay.
International Rallies 2025
International Cruising Rally — Brittany June 15-22, 2025
Following the successful test rally in 2024 at Saint Cast on Brittany’s northern Emerald Coast, this additional international rally for 2025 has just been announced. Once again, the rally will be hosted by the Nautical Sailing Center in Saint Cast. Stay tuned for more information. In the meantime, let USWA cruising secretary Margie McKelvey
know of your interest and she will make sure that you are connected to the organizers.Aug 10- 15 – 2025 Denmark International Rally – Rantzausminde, Denmark – More info here:
Regional cruises
Dinghy Cruising Association Rally at Hermit Island August 16-23, 2025
Wayfarers are welcome to join this DCA event which is planned to mimic a USWA rally at Hermit Island and which is being organized by Wayfarer sailor Robert Mosher. Must be reserved by mid-Dec ’24 so contact Robert soon. Contact: Robert Mosher (robertmosher1@comcast.net)
Chesapeake Bay Cruise September 1-5, 2025
Contact: John Driver (sailshazam@gmail.com)
This event will start and end at the West River Sailing Club near Annapolis, Maryland and is planned to include iconic Eastern Shore sailing destinations such as Oxford and St. Michaels (home of the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum). It will be preceded by the August 29-31 West River Club’s Annapolis to Galesville Race and Labor Day Regatta. Participants will make their own bookings at
each night’s destination. More information coming soon.
Regional Cruises are open to all – contact regional Fleet representative.
Venues
Hermit Island, ME, USA
Killbear Provincial Park Ontario, Canada