By Tony Wittkowski | Reporter | MLive – Muskegon Chronicle
MUSKEGON, MI — Dozens of boats were out on Muskegon Lake for the Summer Sailstice event on June 21, Saturday to commemorate the first day of summer.
Roger Zuidema, a promoter and participant of the Summer Sailstice, said it is a national event that Torresen Marine helped kickoff in Muskegon 13 years ago. Since then Lake Effect Boating, Great Lakes Marina and the Muskegon Yacht Club joined in.
“It’s a really fun event just to help and show people the sailing lifestyle,” Zuidema said. “It’s relaxing, being out on the water with family and friends.”
Taking place on the longest day of the year, the Great Lakes Marina, Torresen Marine and Muskegon Yacht Club had all hands on deck, offering free sailboat rides to willing participants.
With the largest natural harbor on this side of Lake Michigan as well as deep-water access to the Big Lake, Zuidema said events like this one put Muskegon on the map. Muskegon is a sailor’s dream, promoters said.
“Muskegon is a blue economy,” he said. “Their economy can steer around the water, and there are some great communities involved in that. We just want people to know that we have the optimal place to be a sailor.”
Grandville resident Barbara Bomers was in town after finding the bike path that links the Big Lake and the Muskegon River along the southshore of Muskegon Lake. Without her knowing, she stumbled on a number of sailboats floating by.
Taking note of both the boats and the water, Bomers was reminded of a time when she would be out on the water with her family.
“My brother used to have a boat over at Great Lakes Marina,” she said. “We would go across the lake really fast and come down through the channel and head out to Lake Michigan.”
RELATED: Free boat rides offered as part of annual Summer Sailstice event
Out on their sailboat called “Hakuna Matata,” were Spring Lake residents Abby Allman and Elijah Locascio.
With more than 20 years of boating experience combined, the two sailors never miss a summer out on Muskegon Lake.
“It’s a very special experience to be out there,” Locascio said. “I always have a great time on this lake. It wasn’t a letdown today. Great winds, great times.”
Just being out on the water and knowing that he was using the wind to get wherever he needed to be was worth taking part in the Summer Sailstice, Locascio said.
“It was a great turnout today, it was nice to see all the different kinds of boats,” Locascio said. “There is such a great camaraderie between sailors out there.”
Kevin Allman left Spring Lake to take part in the Summer Sailstice as well, where he was expecting the number of sailboats on display Saturday.
After arriving last night, Allman and his family got to the marina at 10 a.m. for a free ride.
“We took our boat out and then we went on a different boat just for the fun of it,” Allman said. “They showed us what the boat does and the terminology. He even let me drive his boat, which was really nice.”
Getting out to Muskegon Lake 10 to 12 times a year, Allman was looking forward to harnessing the power of the wind at its peak.
“It’s nice to look out over Muskegon Lake and just see a bunch of sails on the water,” Allman said. “They were outnumbering the power boats for sure today.”
Tony Wittkowski is a staff reporter at MLive Muskegon Chronicle. Email him at twittkow@mlive.com and follow him on Facebook and on Twitter.
(Author’s Note: This article was originally published on June 21, 2014)
Tony Wittkowski 