Bellingham has an avid surfski community with one of the highest per capita numbers of surfskiers of any city in the continental United States (Hood River is possibly the only other city with a close or higher number per capita). There are a number of reasons for the local surfski popularity, not the least of which is the variety and quality of opportunities for paddling, downwinding, and outdoor sports in general. Clearly Bellinghamsters have embraced downwinding as a primary way to experience “uitwaaien”^{1) 2)} .

Questions for locals? Get a membership on Whatcom paddlers and post your questions/requests.

Bellingham Water Trails Map.pdf

Bellingham Wide Area Conditions tide, winds, weather, webcams

What is a Downwinder ?

South of Bellingham

• Jetty Island, Everett, WA A good place for laps.
• Camano Island A good south wind and an ebb tide can stack the waves up nicely on both the west and east side, while north winds may work better on the west side.
• Whidbey Island…( with Deception Pass)
• Downwinding in Puget Sound (talking about farther south, Seattle area, etc.)

Bellingham

• Bellingham Bay
• Lake Whatcom can also be good for downwinding (and safer than the Bay as long as the water is not too cold) when the wind is strong

North of Bellingham

• Lummi Bay

  A strong south wind coming up Hale's Passage (between Lummi Island and mainland) can produce a great 10 mile run from the Lummi Ferry to Gulf Rd Beach. Don't leave any valuables in shuttle vehicles left at Gulf Rd. Sandy Point Conversation Sandy Point is the peninsula at the north end of Lummi Bay, just south of Neptune Beach. If you go farther north - stay away from refinery docks. Neptune Beach Weather

• Birch Bay The long fetch coming from the west and northwest can provide surfable waves, ocean sized swell coming from the Strait of Georgia, and downwind laps.
• Vancouver, BC, an hour away if you are traveling to/from Bellingham with a Nexus Pass, or there may be a much greater delay at the border when it is busy - as it is on most weekends. Vancouver's options include Ambleside Surf Laps - first class tidal race surfing when it is firing.

Videos

• Bellingham Bay Downwind Videos

Bellingham Area Marine

Local Lakes

• Always take care with cold water - most years you need to take adequate precaution for dealing with water in the mid 30’s Fahrenheit (1-2 deg. Celsius) in the winter in our lakes.
• You will need an invasive species sticker. Whatcom Boat Inspections The checking station at Lake Whatcom - Bloedel Donovan Park is closed in the winter, but you should always follow the recommended precautions to prevent invasive species spread.
• Lake Whatcom largest of our local lakes. Home of the Wednesday night races in the warmer months.
• Lake Padden There are several launch sites and a decent amount of parking for a small lake. Padden can get wind, but it is usually the best protected from wind of the local lakes. Please take extra care in avoiding spreading the little snail that has now invaded Lake Padden to other lakes. Location for Monday night interval training during warm months.

• Lake Samish
  • Lake Samish County Park Picnic Area and Beach Parking is pretty limited and the park often gets quite crowded during the summer. You can scope out odd hours when it is less crowded during the summer or go off season when it typically is much less crowded. Or launch from the Public Boat Ramp on the east side of the lake farther south.

Broke Down Paddlers Discussion 4/29/2019

All of the following have received strong recommendations from local athletes and paddlers

• Prime Sports Institute Kerry and her team are there to coach you to better performance or help you recover from an injury.
• CorePhysio Top physical therapists that get athletes. Sarah Paxon is amazing, but all their staff is excellent.
• Michael Hill DC, CCSP chiropractic and sports rehab Performance Health NW
• Brad Jones Rolfing
• Carolyn Watson CoreKinetics/BioMechanix Pilates/Acupuncture
• Bellingham Area Shoulder Specialists

Surfski & Sprint Kayak

• Whatcom Paddlers - is a loose “confederation” of individuals with a wide variety of interests and personalities drawn together for conversations about their shared love of paddling - with an emphasis on racing and downwinding. While basically an online discussion group started by a nucleus of paddlers in Bellingham, WA., pods of the group sometimes effectively act together when they wish or need to represent their common concern, interest, and passion for the delight and freedom of human-propelled watercraft.
• B'ham Canoe Kayak Sprint Team youth sprint kayak team. Although their primary focus is flatwater sprinting in ultra tippy sprint kayaks, these kids have long been encouraged to try various other kinds of paddling, particularly surfskis and downwinding. The 15-18 yr age group women's world champion in downwind surfskiing for 2019, Ana Swetish, trained, raced and thrived with this team that practices on Lake Padden.
  • BCKST Startup & Regatta Announcement 2013
  • Sprint Nationals
• Sound Rowers - Pac Northwest club with a very active racing calendar supporting rowers, surfskiers, OCers, SUPs, etc.

Outrigger

• Bellingham Bay Outrigger Paddlers
  • Website
  • Youth Program
  • Origins
• Kai Pana Outrigger Club
• Autumn Rose Canoe Club

Local

Online Coaches