Baja Ha Ha, known as the largest sailing regatta on the West Coast, begins Monday, Oct. 29 off the shores of Shelter Island. At 10 a.m., hundreds of participating vessels will depart Shelter Island in a colorful parade of ships, with many of the sailors bedecked in costumes. The parade kicks off with a blast from the original America’s Cup starting gun and marks the beginning of the 750-mile voyage from San Diego to Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. Port of San Diego Commissioner Dan Malcolm will ring in the starting shot off of the San Diego-based sportfishing vessel, Dolphin.  Other participants onboard the Dolphin will be United States Coast Guard Captain of the Port Joseph Buzzella, Port of San Diego Harbor Police Chief Mark Stainbrook and United States Consul General to Mexico Marcela Celorio. This will be the 25th anniversary of the race, which draws recreational boaters from up and down the West Coast. The race is very significant to the boating community and brings a heightened awareness to recreational boating.  It’s also a plus to the tourism industry, bringing additional visitors to San Diego and Baja California. “Baja Ha Ha is an annual event that showcases the partnership between San Diego and Mexico,” said Rafael Castellanos, Chairman of the Board of Port Commissioners.  “It’s also an event that highlights the beauty of the Port of San Diego and its long and storied sailing tradition.” Baja Ha Ha is organized and sponsored by Latitude 38 Magazine.  Other sponsors are the Port of San Diego, the Sportfishing Association of California and the Consulate General of Mexico in San Diego.