The Van Isle 360 Yacht Race starts and finishes each year in Nanaimo, the Harbour City and home to the world famous Nanaimo Bar! (That’s a sweet, not a “BAR”) Nanaimo and Region is a perfect example of a classic West Coast community offering natural beauty at every turn and stunning sailing possibilities. Beautiful passages, numerous routes, strong tides and hazards will challenge even the most skilled skipper and crew. The Nanaimo Port Authority welcomes the fleet each year to the Visiting Vessel Pier, located at the end of Promenade Drive, where in preparation for the starting gun, the local Royal Canadian Marine Search and Rescue volunteers put their knowledge to good use in providing safety checks for each boat. After the skipper’s meeting, a beer, wine and cheese reception (courtesy of Paradise Island Cheese, Longwood Brewery and Hester Creek Wines) on the pier will stoke rivalries and nerves in anticipation of the next mornings boat parade and starting gun. And once again the Van Isle 360 International Yacht Race, described by one skipper as bloody, bruising, dangerous, all consuming and the best race in the Pacific Northwest is launched. Want to find out more about Nanaimo, follow this link Tourism Nanaimo