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. Some additional regional rallies are on the drawing board. 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 and bring together Wayfarers from many countries. No need to bring a boat! The most recent rallies have been in Brittany (France), the Netherlands, and Northern Ireland. Denmark is hosting in 2025. We North Americans (Canadian and U.S. Wayfarers) will be hosting the international rally in 2026 or 2027. [Note that the racing internationals are generally held in conjunction with an international cruising rally.] Margie McKelvey, USWA Cruising Secretary
2025 Cruising Rallies schedule announced
Hi, U.S. Wayfarers:
There is a full schedule of cruise rallies for this sailing season and there is still time to sign up for some of them. Below you will find the latest information as well as information for rally organizers. 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
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. Set up an account at https://reservations.ontarioparks.ca. 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; so, most booking for the rally took place on February 19 for a July 19 arrival. Campsites become available as people change their plans and cancel reservations. You can still set up a notification for the dates you want and receive an email when sites become available. Booking is a pretty competitive process so you need to move quickly when you get a notification. 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. N.B. Due to Killbear’s popularity, there is now a seven-night maximum stay.
Contact: Alan Asselstine
International Cruising Rally — Brittany June 15-22, 2025
Following the successful test rally in 2024 at Saint Cast le Guildo on Brittany’s northern Emerald Coast, this rally will be hosted by the Nautical Sailing Center in Saint Cast and participants will stay in mobile homes in the nearby Mirabel Campground, walking distance from the beach where the boats will be kept. The rocky Emerald Coast boasts gorgeous green waters and challenging tides. Stay tuned for more information. The campground is holding reservations for Wayfarers only through the end of March. So if you are interested in attending the rally, please quickly contact Ralph Roberts of the UK Wayfarer Association. [mrrmr@btinternet.com]
[/bg_collapse] know of your interest and she will make sure that you are connected to the organizers.
International Cruising Rally Rantzausminde, Denmark Aug 10-15 2025 – More info here:
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 has been organized by Wayfarer sailor Robert Mosher. As of the end of March, there is still room for a few more participants and possibly campsites next to the group (Branch Campsites) Reservations were made by calling Hermit Island Campground at (207)-443-2101 between 9 am and 2pm. Contact: Robert Mosher (robertmosher1@comcast.net)
Dinghy Cruising Association Connecticut River Cruise: July 21st -23d. 2025
This is 3 day cruise down the Connecticut River.
Three Day CT River Cruise – Monday 21 July – Wed 23 July
This event reprises the popular cruise from the 70s. The CT River is a scenic river that is navigable from Hartford to Long Island Sound, a distance of about 45 miles. This route starts about five miles downriver from Hartford and ends a couple miles above the mouth. The dates were chosen so that we should have favorable currents most of the time.
Day 1 – Wethersfield to Portland Boat Works (16 SM). Wethersfield is an old colonial port that hasn’t changed much. A small canal connects it to the river. We will spend the night at Portland Boat Works and will likely walk a short distance for dinner.
Day 2 – Portland Boat Works to Selden Neck State Park (17 SM). Selden Neck is an island with primitive camping. The creek separating the island from the mainland is not usually conducive for sailing. If you don’t have a motor or oars, it is best to head back out to the river.
Day 3 – Selden Neck to Essex (5 SM). After retrieving our trailers and hauling out, we will have lunch at the Griswold Inn, which was opened in 1776!
Contact: Paul Miller: phmiller.pe@gmail.com
Chesapeake Bay Cruise September 1-5, 2025
This cruise will start and end at the West River Sailing Club near Annapolis, Maryland and will include iconic Eastern Shore sailing destinations such as Oxford and St. Michaels (home of the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum). The route is WRSC across the Bay to Knapps Narrows on the Eastern Shore (12 nautical miles), to St Michaels (14 nm) to Oxford (11 nm), to Knapps Narrows (10 nm) and back to WRSC (14 nm). Participants will stay in hotels at each destination and will make their own bookings. Maptech Waterproof Chart #25 Edition 4 of the Upper Bay would be the chart to use for the cruise, it has all the locations, albeit just at the edge of the chart, but complete. The cruise will be preceded by the August 29-31 West River Club’s Annapolis to Galesville Race and Labor Day Regatta.
Contact: John Driver (sailshazam@gmail.com)
Down East Cruise (North Carolina) – Fall 2025
On the drawing board is a mid-week cruise in Core Sound, camping, exploring some of the barrier islands that help protect the coast, and enjoying the bird and marine life.
Contact: Richard Johnson (uswacommodore@gmail.com)
Venues
Hermit Island, ME, USA
Killbear Provincial Park Ontario, Canada