Sailfest began in 2002, as the result of a chance meeting between long-time Zihuatanejo residents Richard and Gloria Bellack and a sailboat named Latitude 38 (of sailboat magazine fame).  The Bellacks were already involved with a local indigenous school called Escuela Primaria Netzahualcoyotl, and were more than happy to accept the boatload of supplies the sailors had brought with them. Word soon spread, and a few dozen other cruisers decided to join in a weekend of boat races, raffles and fun to raise money for indigenous children. The makeshift fundraiser with the help of other ex-pats and locals, raised $1500 US, in its inaugural year, which was then matched by the Bellack Foundation......and so Sailfest began!