Bellingham, WA (and nearby)

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

TCSurfski interview with Bellinghamster Reivers Dustin about creating a paddling community with Bellingham as an example. (excellent interview, but if you find Reivers' and Nick's delivery a bit slow you can speed up the playback (1.5X may be enough, 2X is probably too much)) Intro

What is a Downwinder ?

Bellingham is not really known for surf because it is completely protected from ocean swell, but occassionally when there is very strong wind there can be some noticeable surf at Marine Park (video) or at the north end of the bay at places like Squalicum Beach.

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.”
• Lindsay Kizinkewich Precision PT PT work in association with Prime (same building)
• Michael Hill DC, CCSP chiropractic and sports rehab Performance Health NW
• Brad Jones Rolfing
• Carolyn Watson CoreKinetics/BioMechanix Pilates/Acupuncture
• Local Shoulder Specialists?
  • Rotator Cuff Help 1/19/2017
  • Local Professional Help for Shoulder Impingement 5/5/2025
• …

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. See also Where Bellingham's Surfskis Came From
• 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/Canoes

• Native American Canoes (and other canoe types)
  • Autumn Rose Canoe Club
  • Rikkole Cree Canoe Club (facebook) video about club
• Outrigger Clubs
  • Bellingham Bay Outrigger Paddlers
    • Website
    • Youth Program
    • Origins
  • Kai Pana Outrigger Club

Local

Online Coaches