all aboard for the 15th Annual Zongo Yachting Cup: october 11 & 12, 2024

Join us for the Central Coast’s biggest & most fun offshore sailing race, bookended with 2 outrageous parties on both ends.

register here

WHAT:

A 20-mile sailing race / cruise from Morro Bay to Avila Beach/Port San Luis. Features a free concert on Friday night in Morro Bay with Zongo All-Stars and a free party at the Point San Luis Lighthouse at the end of the race.

When / timeline:

OCTOBER 11 FRIDAY:

ALL DAY: Racers check in at Morro Bay Yacht Club
4:00 - 8:00 • Launch party / festival / concert at Tidelands Park on Morro Bay’s waterfront

OCTOBER 12 SATURDAY:

8:00 AM • MB Yacht Club open for coffee & late registration
9:00 AM • Skippers Meeting (MB Yacht Club)
10:00 AM • All vessels underway
11:00 AM • Race start
5:00 PM • Race ends - racers are disqualified if not finished by 5:00 PM
4:00 PM to 8:00 PM • Zongo Cup Reception Party at Point San Luis Lighthouse! Includes drinks & live music.

WHO IS THIS FOR:

This is a sailing race, but also a cruise and open to powerboats and capable skippers with human-powered craft (SUP, Outrigger canoe, etc.) Sailboat racing is scored using PHRF Southern California Ratings, and one-design classes are established for any vessel type having 3 or more entries.

The kickoff party on Friday at Tidelands Park is free and for anyone who likes fun, music, food, drink, dancing, boating, making friends. Zongo All-Stars will perform and is always a great time.

Where:

Morro Bay Yacht Club - registration & skippers meeting: 541 Embarcadero, Morro Bay
Tidelands Park - 339 Embarcadero, Morro Bay (at the Launch Ramp)
Point San Luis Lighthouse - Accessible from Lighthouse Beach, directly inside the breakwall at Port San Luis. There will be no access to lighthouse from land, so we will all arrive at the party via skiff. BYO or we will provide water taxi service from the mooring area to the beach.

TROPHIES:

Local legend Ted Emrick of Emrick Studios in Baywood Park has a long-standing tradition of supplying gorgeous, custom glass trophies for the Zongo Cup. This year is no exception, and this year’s trophies will be something you will want to proudly display on your mantle for years to come! Trophies available:

PHRF Sailing: First, second, and third places
Cruising Class: First place. All participants will primarily sail under their respective class, and simultaneously in the Cruising Class - which has only 2 results: 1st Place, and all other finishers will tie for tie for Second Place.
Each One Design Class: First Place
Farthest Away: Boat traveling the farthest distance from Morro Bay and completing the race.
Scalawag Trophy: Last to finish

Register Here

EXTRA SPECIAL THANKS TO:

Morro Bay Yacht Club for hosting and support of the event
San Luis Yacht Club for extending a warm welcome in Avila Beach
Visit Morro Bay for supporting the race launch party at Tidelands Park
City of Morro Bay for supporting the weekend events for the Moro Bay Maritime Festival
Paul Irving - this year’s organizer & Race PRO
Latitude 38 for spreading the word to the yachting community
All the racers & crews who came out & participated in the race
Paul Dunn for running on the water support vessels.
Port San Luis Harbor Patrol for their support in the race
Zongo All-Stars for providing the great live music, and inspiring the race
Sextant Wines - the official wine of US Sailing, and sponsoring the Zongo Cup!
Rod & Hammer Stills - the official whiskey of the Zongo Cup!
Point San Luis Lighthouse for hosting the EPIC post-race reception party!