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Bellingham Area Races

Ski to Sea 2016 Photo: Paul Reavley

Annual Races

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

Local Area Races

Bellingham Bay
- Peter Marcus Rough Water (Formerly 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.
- 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 on the Bay.
- Winter Series PNWORCA Race in recent years 2022, 2023 Bellingham Bay has been site of one of these races (#4?) hosted by BBOP canoe club.
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.
- Junior SkitoSea
Lake Samish
- 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 Whatcom
- Lake Whatcom Classic Early May
Whatcom Paddlers Discussion - Local Race Fees and Costs 2014

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).
- 2024 there is talk of reviving at least one of the original hot 5 races in the summer - ?? the treasure hunt one ??
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.

Lk. Padden Interval Crew 2022

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.
Thursday Night Races - beginning of June through early September
- Jericho WaveChaser Series

2009 Video - On Any Wednesday - Lake Whatcom Wednesday Niter

2018 Virb 360 video of a Wednesday night race (now the kids from BCKST are a strong presence )