Opening Day for boating season, this is the official day of boating season sponsored by the Seattle Yacht Club!
Seattle Yacht Club Opening Day, Myths & Monster 2015 theme. Go Huskies, UW Women’s Crew & UW Men’s Crew – Windermere Cup/Opening Day – Pac – 12 Networks – Seattle, Washington! – A colorful and traditional rite of spring, the only one of its kind in the world, brings many people to Seattle’s inland waterways on May 2 as boaters celebrate Opening Day of the boating season. Spectators crowd the shorelines of Seattle’s Portage Bay and Montlake Cut as boats, many of them decorated, parade past judges and spectators watching aboard boats anchored along the parade route.
Classic Wooden Boats on Opening Day – Enjoying the water!
There are small boats, motorboats, rowing and paddleboats, sailboats, antique boats and superyachts in the annual Opening Day parade sponsored by the Seattle Yacht Club. There are racing shells from top-caliber collegiate and international rowing teams. This year’s races will feature teams from around the country and the world competing in the 2015 Windermere Cup Crew Races.
M/Y Evviva – 164 Westport – Lots of Boating Traffic Passing through to the Montlake Cut for Opening Day!
Opening Day in Seattle is a family affair – families decorate their boats for the festivities and parades, families spread blankets on the shoreline and spend hours watching and picnicking. Sponsored annually by the Seattle Yacht Club, Opening Day can trace its roots to a Fourth of July celebration on Seattle’s waterfront in 1895. In 1920, shortly after the Lake Washington Ship Canal was completed, linking Seattle’s inland lakes with Puget Sound, the celebration moved to the fresh waters of the ship canal, Portage Bay and the Montlake Cut.
Fun on the swim step near Gasworks Park on Lake Union, Seattle WA
Seattle Fire Department boats move by in a cloud of spray, as well as sailboats with spinnakers flying. Two small flotillas of yachts carrying members from the University of Washington Husky and Washington State University Cougar Marching Bands set the musical tempo for the day.
M/Y Mary Ann – Boating Season Opening Day Participant, Seattle WA
Participating yachts will decorate to this year’s theme: “Myths & Monsters”.
The boating season never officially ends in the Puget Sound area. There may be less extended cruising during the blustery, wet days of winter, but the faithful keep sailing. Opening Day, however, kicks off the happy spring and summer days of boating for many avid boaters in this area. Opening Day offers some outstanding photo and story opportunities. You’ll not find anything like it in the United States or anywhere else in the world. The only comparable event is an annual parade of commercial vessels in Venice, Italy.
Wooden Classics and Commercial Seafood Fishing Boats Stay and Play in NW Harmony!
There are lots of story possibilities in the weeks prior to Opening Day as families and friends and businesses decorate yachts, and racing crews from around the world practice for Sunday’s regatta.
Enjoy Bikini Weather during Opening Day on Lake Union, WA!
The Seattle Yacht Club’s Opening Day celebration is not one to be missed! It’s fun, family, friends, colleagues, and more, all on one of the biggest and most beautiful days of the year. Be there- and be sure to say hi when you see us!
Saturday, May 2
12pm – 3pm
Montlake Cut, Lake Union, Seattle, WA
NW Sailor Girls Climbing All Over the Boat – Folks, Enjoy Relaxing on the Stern!
Lots of Bridges to visit on the way to the Montlake Cut…. Opening Cruising Day Fun!
Salty Dog Boating News Wishes You Happy Boating!
The busy NW waterfront from the Puget Sound to Alaska!
