Newport to Ensenada - Big Boat Wash leads in to a clean, green race

by Rich Roberts on 17 Apr 2009
Count on the 62nd Newport to Ensenada International Yacht Race starting Friday, April 24, to be clean and green.

The boat washing demonstration is scheduled from 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the BCYC dock. Ecover (pronounced eco-ver), the world's largest producer of ecological cleaning products, will provide three attractive brand ambassadors for the demonstration and will have personnel available to answer boaters' questions about its products that promise to 'do the dishes, not the fishes.'

The race has been organized since 1948 by the Newport Ocean Sailing Association. NOSA Commodore Jerry Montgomery said, 'Having Ecover as a 'green' sponsor is a natural association for sailors who practice the principles of keeping the seas clean.'

This year's entry list, boosted by increased security measures by Mexican authorities in cooperation with NOSA officials, has passed 250, including 15 of the class winners from last year.

This year the race will start off the Balboa Pier, a half-mile up the beach from the usual location outside the jetty entrance to Newport Bay. The pier will allow spectators their closest look at the two-hour spectacle without stepping onto a boat. The largest and fastest boats will start at noon, with subsequent starts every 10 minutes.

Ecover's newest products are Ecover Boat Wash & Wax and Ecover Heavy Duty Boat Wash, both proven safe for marine life on high seas, lakes and rivers. They are phosphate-free and made from plant and mineral-based ingredients including coconut surfactants, carnauba wax and citric acid to naturally remove dirt, oil and grease. The Wash & Wax product leaves behind a protective plant-based wax.

Mike Golding, a British OBE recognized for his singlehanded around-the-world sailing exploits, has been an Ecover spokesman for seven years.

'I love my sport and I love the oceans we race across, but our oceans, and our air and our earth are being threatened by society's actions,' Golding said. 'Using Ecover is one small, easy thing you do to clean your conscience as well as your boat.'

Golding is an ambassador for the Royal Yachting Association and British Marine Federation's Green Blue environmental awareness program. All Ecover products are completely biodegradable with minimum impact on aquatic environments.

Those traveling to Ensenada by land instead of sea may book seats on a Bajarama tour bus for $60 round trip, leaving from Newport Beach or San Diego after the race starts Friday afternoon and returning late Sunday afternoon or Monday morning. Sign up by calling Colby at 714.557.5100, ext. 16, or e-mail at colby@rodheim-marketing.com

Event sponsors and supporters include City of Newport Beach, Pirate's Lair, Nordstrom South Coast Plaza, Tommy Bahama, Go Baja, Mount Gay Rum, Traditional Jewelers, Corum Watch, Hyatt Regency Newport Beach, Carnival Cruise Lines, Seven Seas Travel, Orange Coast Magazine and Vessel Assist.

Newport Beach, an opulent seaside community located on the Orange County coastline between Los Angeles and San Diego, epitomizes the quintessential Southern California lifestyle. Known for its picturesque views of the Pacific and one of the world’s largest small yacht harbors, the city is acclaimed for its beaches, yachting community, sophisticated atmosphere, international film festival, three annual epicurean festivals and the oldest holiday boat parade in the nation. Newport Beach was named 'one of the top 10 resort towns in the U.S.' by AOL Travel in 2008.

For more information, call (800) 94-COAST or visit online http://www.nosa.org/nosa-N2E.html