Transpac 2025 opens with Aloha send off aboard historic USS Iowa
by Transpacific Yacht Club 30 Jun 08:49 NZST
July 1 & 5, 2025
Transpac 2025 send off party on USS Iowa © Doug Gifford
It's not every day that serious offshore sailors get the opportunity to party aboard a decommissioned WWII battleship—but it's also not every day that world-class sailors gather to race across 2,225 miles of open Pacific Ocean.
The 53rd edition of the biennial Transpacific Yacht Race, established in 1906 and organized by the Transpacific Yacht Club, celebrated the official start of 2025 festivities at last night's Aloha Send Off Party, hosted by race partners Fess Parker Winery and Third Window Brewing. Aboard the retired battleship USS Iowa, docked in San Pedro and within a stone's throw of the 53 yachts preparing for departure, sailors and friends enjoyed great food and libations from Fess Parker and Third Window and a welcoming Mount Gay Mai Tai.
The 53-strong Transpacific Yacht Race fleet officially begins this epic bluewater contest in a series of three pursuit-style starts on July 1, July 3 and July 5, racing from the starting line off California's Point Fermin to the finish line off Oahu's world-famous Diamond Head. For many sailors, last night's Aloha Send Off Party signaled the successful conclusion of the crucial race-before-the-race.
"Last night's party was a great celebration of the first major milestone for Transpac 2025, which is making it to the starting line," said Bill Guilfoyle, Commodore of the Transpacific Yacht Club. "Given the length of this race and all of the demands to properly prepare, it's really quite an achievement just to make it to the starting line. That alone warrants celebration."
At the Aloha Send Off Party, two traditional Hawaiian dancers performed a kahiko to bless the fleet. Luau dancer Kamalei explained, "The kahiko is all about gearing up. We treat all voyages the same—as if we are sending people to war. When you go into battle, you need to be strong, steadfast and clear about your duties. So we honor where you came from and where you are about to go. And then we call on god and all of creation to look after them."
Afa, a Maui/Tongan dancer, followed with a stunning New Zealand haka—a powerful performance that overwhelmed the crowd. "This isn't about a gentle blessing," explained Kamalei. "This is telling these sailors they have good mana and will go into this voyage with strength. These sailors are about to embark on a voyage that most people will never do in their lifetime."
Then, one by one, each skipper and crew were called to the stage to receive a kukui nut lei, specially flown in from Honolulu and blessed by a Hawaiian elder.
"The sailors can take these leis back to their boats, and these leis can accompany them across the Pacific for a safe and successful passage," Guilfoyle said.
The party rounded out with live music and dramatic demonstrations—one by the Los Angeles Fire Department's fire boat and another by the USS Iowa which fired two thunderous ceremonial salutes from port side, shaking the deck in a powerful tribute to the ship's storied past.
"It was so cool to have the Aloha Send Off Party on the Iowa," said Alli Bell, Rear Commodore of the Transpacific Yacht Club and the owner and skipper of Cal 40 Restless, which she's racing to Hawaii this year. "It was a gorgeous night and it was fun to see all the crews catching up with each other," she said.
The gathering also served a symbolic purpose. "The commodore called everyone together," Bell said, describing a poignant moment. "We did our first group Aloha, and it was like, 'OK, now the race has started.'"
While the Transpac has a storied reputation as one of the world's greatest offshore sailing events, dating back to 1906 when three yachts—Lurline, Anemone and La Paloma—first raced it, back ashore it takes many great race partners to make this event possible. This year marks the first that Third Window Brewing and Fess Parker Winery & Vineyard have partnered with this historic event.
Eli Parker, President of Fess Parker Enterprises, said that his family's multigenerational company shares many values with the Transpac. "It's kind of a test, obviously against others, but it's as much a test of each crew's own endurance and each sailor's mental and physical capabilities," Fess said, noting that he has long harbored a personal interest in the race.
While sailing has historically been associated with rum—and while libations from fellow race partner Mount Gay were enjoyed at last night's party—Parker said he sees wine and rum along parallel lines. "They're both delicious, but I like to think that, if the pirates and sailors of hundreds of years ago had had the opportunity to be drinking great wine, they would have switched their consumption patterns," he joked.
In addition to partnering with the 2025 Transpac on the Aloha Send Off Party, Fess Parker Enterprises is also providing food and drinks for sailors at the Suntex Race Village (2845 Miner Street, San Pedro, CA 90731), which opened today, 2:00-5:00pm local time.
"There's going to be smash burgers and beer and wine and Mount Gay Rum cocktails for people to enjoy while they are making their final preparations," said Guilfoyle of the Suntex Race Village, noting that this is the first time that the race has enjoyed a centralized village in San Pedro's West Channel Harbor.
"We're honored to support the 2025 Transpacific Yacht Race, and we're excited to celebrate the spirit of adventure and seamanship it represents," said Bert Fowles, Suntex Marinas' Vice President of Brand and Marketing. "It's a natural fit for Suntex Marinas to support an event that brings together passionate boaters and elevates the sport of sailing."
The Suntex Race Village will give skippers and crews a place to mingle and relax, pick up their official Skipper's Bags and Pasha YB Trackers, check out gear and supplies and enjoy raffle prizes from vendors such as Whittier Trust, Suntex, San Diego Boatworks, Boatswain's Locker and Garmin. Mount Gay will be pouring rum drinks, while Fess Parker and Third Window provide food, wine and beer. Official Transpac merch will be available from Pirates Lair.
For more information on the 2025 Transpac, including start times, entry list and division breakdowns, the full list of the trophies that will be contested, and the complete listing of all race partners, please visit transpacyc.com.