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Southwestern
Rendezvous
Southwestern Rendezvous emblem

Southwestern Rendezvous

88th annualNovember 21–24, 2026Cabrillo Beach, San Pedro

Seamanship put to the test since 1935

Register your shipVolunteer to judge

Seamanship, leadership and fellowship

Southwestern Rendezvous brings Sea Scout ships together for seamanship competition and fellowship. At Cabrillo Beach, San Pedro, crews put their training into practice in sailing, rowing, navigation, first aid and traditional team events. Youth lead their crews through the competition, with adult volunteers serving as judges and event staff. There is time to meet other ships, share in Rendezvous traditions and recognize the event’s achievements at the closing awards ceremony.

A two-person crew sailing across the harbor
A crew rowing a pulling boat out on the harbor as the coxswain steersPhoto: Chris Shintani

The event

Four days at Cabrillo Beach, San Pedro. Two days of competition on the water and ashore. Awards and departure on Tuesday.

  1. Setup & registration

    Local ships and early arrivals are invited to help prepare the event spaces. Check in, complete registration and set up camp during the scheduled arrival period. Pizza, water and soda provided.

    AMPM

  2. Competition day 1

    Competition events run morning and afternoon in the classrooms, on the field and waterfront, and at the Los Angeles Maritime Institute (LAMI).

    AMPM

  3. Competition day 2

    Competition events run morning and afternoon in the classrooms, on the field and waterfront, and at the Los Angeles Maritime Institute (LAMI).

    AMPM

  4. Awards & departure

    Awards ceremony in the morning, then break camp and depart.

    AM

The events

Crews put their seamanship and teamwork into practice on the water and ashore. Explore the events, find out what each involves, and use the Rendezvous Manual to prepare.

Optional events with a published standard for each team to meet.

Explore the events
Crews rigging and running the Breeches Buoy at the 2021 Rendezvous
T-17 Breeches Buoy at the 2021 Rendezvous.Crews rig a simulated rescue, coordinating their work through hand signals.Filmed by Chris Shintani, watch the full video.
Crews crawling, climbing and vaulting through the obstacle course at the 2021 Rendezvous
T-1 Obstacle Course at the 2021 Rendezvous.Crew members complete a course of climbing, crawling and balance challenges.Filmed by Chris Shintani, watch the full video.

See the event in action

Rowing, knots, the obstacle course, Scuttlebutt and colors, filmed at the 2021 Rendezvous by Chris Shintani.

“2021 Southwestern Rendezvous” by Chris Shintani.More from Sea Shintani on YouTube

A crew hauling a water barrel up the Scuttlebutt tripod, seen from above
A volunteer grinning from the driver’s seat of the Rendezvous Shuttle
A Sea Scout climbing a rope in goggles as her crew watches
Photo: Chris Shintani
Sea Scouts saluting at morning colors by the flagpole

Recognizing achievement

Rendezvous recognizes seamanship, leadership, conduct and fellowship. Class awards reflect a ship’s performance across the competition, with the Golden Windjammer awarded to the highest-scoring qualifying ship.

Class award thresholds
ClassShip-event averageSatisfactory team events
Windjammer85%15
Clipper75%12
Schooner70%9
Ketch60%7
Sloop50%5
Catboat40%3
Dinghy30%1

The 2025 manual also requires the Endurance Award for Windjammer: a good-faith effort in every ship and team event. See the applicable Rendezvous Manual for full award requirements and the Golden Windjammer scoring method.

Also awarded: Spirit & Fellowship, Leadership & Conduct, the Uniform trophy, the Scuttle-Off, the Drill-Off, Hell Drill and the Old Skipper’s Award.

Crews in uniform at the awards ceremony in the amphitheater

Take part in the 88th Rendezvous

Bring your ship or take part as an adult volunteer. Start registration with an estimate of the youth and adults attending, then add everyone’s names as plans take shape.

Register your ship

Create an account for committee review, then send your estimated attendance. Registration, rosters, waivers and payments are managed in the ship portal.

$125
Youth participant
$125
Adult: higher rate
$55
Adult: lower rate

Key dates

October 5
Pre-registration opens
October 31
Pre-registration closes
November 7
Final roster due
November 10
Payment due
Open the ship portal

Judge an event

Adult volunteers help make fair, well-run competition possible. Serve as a head judge familiar with an event’s rules, or assist with timing and scoring.

Judging spots still open
172
judging spots still open
Head judge spots still open
76
need a head judge
  • New to judging? Assist a head judge and learn the event.
  • Adults registering with a ship sign up for 2 shifts to receive the lower adult rate. Otherwise, the higher adult rate applies.
  • Independent volunteers and committee members are welcome too.
See open judging shifts