Main Bellingham Page

Annual Races

Weekly Races, Workouts And Local Time Trials

(a couple of weekly race series run in Vancouver, BC included here also. Sometimes some of the BC folks visit our weekly races and vice versa.)

• Barnacle Paddles - the Barnacles paddle on Bellingham Bay (anyone welcome, but know your limits on rough water days) most Tuesdays & Thursdays launching at 10 am from Marine Park. Likewise they launch from MP on Saturday mornings at 9 am. Times may be adjusted somewhat on rough days on the fly for downwinders to choose launch conditions that are better (either to get stronger waves and wind or to get less waves and wind on really strong days).
  • In 2026 parking has become more of a problem at Marine Park than in previous years. This seems to be due both to increase in recreation there (all forms of wind related sports, foiling, winging, parasails, etc.) as well as more large groups visiting the park. If you want to catch a spot for one of the morning workouts get their early or don't be surprised if you have to drop your boat off and park in parking lots farther away from Marine Park.
• Single Boat (or self-timed) Races\Adventures\Exploits
• Hot Five Race Series
  • (discontinued) originally 5 consecutive weekly races in late Summer. Best 4 races used for overall series point totals to determine series champs. Good variation between races with changing emphasis on different kinds of paddling vehicles. Announcements on Whatcom Paddlers Board (requires free membership).
• Monday Night Intervals - Lake Padden 5:15 pm start, approx. 1 hr interval workout (originally created and led by Peter Marcus) now led by multiple guest hosts, through most of the Spring, Summer and early Fall. Announcements on Whatcom Paddlers Board (requires membership). Sometimes is paused based on leader's schedule or before and after big races like the Gorge Champs in July.

• Tuesday Night Races - Deep Cove April to mid September in Vancouver's Deep Cove
• Wednesday Nighters
  • Lake Whatcom Bloedel Donovan Park - 3.4 mile race, starting usually at 6:00 pm (sometimes earlier with less daylight) or by announcement on Whatcom Paddlers Board depending on daylight or sentiment. Starts each year after Daylight Savings change in Spring - March through October
    • Where is the finish line
    • What is the official course
    • Wednesday Niter History
    • Strava Automatically tracks your Wednesday night race route and compares your time to other racers.
  • Bellingham Bay Variant
    • In recent years (2024…) the Wednesday Night races have moved to the Bay (Cornwall Beach, Squalicum Beach) during the summer, getting away from the summertime boat traffic on Lake Whatcom and often adding a potluck get together after the races. Kevin Olney has organized most of these instead of continuiing his previous summertime race series the “Hot Five”. Watch Whatcom Paddlers for race instance and location announcements.
• Thursday Night Races - beginning of June through early September
  • Jericho WaveChaser Series