Wider Area - Puget Sound Area Races (Soundrowers, etc.)

Annual Races

• Bellingham Bay Rough Water Late March
• Dan Harris Challenge:
  • Old website is not active as of Jan. 2021, check Whatcom Paddlers listserv for announcements
  • Held every April in conjunction with the Dan Harris Days Festival in Fairhaven. 7 mile, saltwater race. Proceeds go to support the Bellingham Bay Community Boating Center.
• Lake Whatcom Classic Early May
• Ski to Sea * Multi-sport race with surfski/kayak leg held on the Sunday of Memorial Day Weekend annually. Relay race finishes with the surfski/kayak leg.
• Lake Samish Salmon Roe Mid-Late September - in addition to drawing many rowers and canoers this is one of the most popular races for surfskiers in North America
• Lake Padden Paddle for Food Relay October
  • One of our last Fall races (team relay) each year that raises money and food for the Bellingham Food Bank. This event is not to be missed by local paddlers. A day of great fun - check Whatcom Paddlers listserv, or Foodbank Facebook for details.

Weekly Races, Workouts And Local Time Trials

• Self Timed Races\Adventures\Exploits
• Hot Five Race Series - 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 led by Peter Markus or 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 are the turn markers
  • Strava Automatically tracks your Wednesday night race route and compares your time to other racers.
• Thursday Night Races - beginning of June through early September
  • Jericho WaveChaser Series