Our Rowing & Sailing Journey

The Baker Way

Beginning with the original community that energized the founding of Mount Baker Rowing and Sailing Center, emphasis has been on inclusion, neighbors and family, and open communication. Central to his is good sportsmanship, and a belief that learning and participation in sports builds skills – physical, personal and mental – that translate this culture to every aspect of life.

From Dream to Reality: Building the Center (1968-1985)

The construction of a rowing and sailing center for youth in south Seattle was funded by the Forward Thrust Bond Issue of 1968. It was slated to be one of the final projects and was finally moved into the planning stages in 1980. The new facility was sited at Stan Sayres Park on the shores of Lake Washington, near Genesee Park Wetlands and play fields.

The Buildings are located adjacent to the residential area of Mount Baker which provided inspiration for the classic sloping roofline and nautical motif. It was designed with alternative use if boating in SE Seattle was not successful. The boat bays were designed to accommodate trucks and mowers from the Parks Resources Division.

The official dedication was on June 15, 1985 and the facility was named Mount Baker Rowing and Sailing Center (MBRSC). The first project of the new advisory council was assisting in the planning and operation of the dedication ceremony.

Initially the facility was housed in three buildings. The largest building was the shellhouse which contained rowing shells, offices, a meeting room, and public restrooms. The sail house contained sailing and windsurfing equipment. Finally an overwater launch house housed a safety launch program for use. A fourth building was built over water in 1995 which accents the village concept from 1985 and houses five additional safety launches.

In 1985, the volunteer boating advisory council took an active role in the planning of programs, financial projects, and publicity for the new center. Funds were generated through program operation and supplemented by fundraising activities to allow the purchase of ten Laser II sailboats, ten sailboards, and an eight oared shell named “City of Seattle”.

A Hub for Competition and Training: Early Programs and Regattas (1985-2000s)

In the summer of 1990, the Goodwill Games were held in Seattle, and the Mount Baker Rowing and Sailing Center was the host-site to the rowing events on Lake Washington. A 2,000 meter buoyed and boomed course, beginning at the Mount Baker Beach, was the venue for this world class rowing event.

For many years, the Mount Baker Boating Advisory Council hosted two rowing regattas annually. The Tri-Mountain Rowing Regatta occurred in the fall (October) and drew competition from the entire Northwest for ages 13 years and older. The first Tri-Mountain Regatta started in 1987. Keeping with the tradition of long endurance training for the fall rowing season, the Tri-Mountain was a three-mile “head”-style race with boats rowing at staggered starts and racing against the clock. The course began at Colman Park; headed to south Andrews Bay; around a controlled buoy turn near the Lakewood Marina, and aimed the final stretch back north toward the Mount Baker boathouse (Stan Sayres Park).

The Seattle Sprints Regatta was Mount Baker’s second major rowing regatta and catered to all ages of rowers (13 yrs and older) with a unique assortment of rowing races.  The regatta, begun in 1991, originally boasted a nearly 1,000 meter course contained in Andrews Bay along the Seward Park side of the bay, but the course was increased to 1,500 meters in 1999 and held just north of the facility along the shore of Lake Washington. Held in April each year, the regatta attracted many adults and junior rowers locally as well as from Western Washington and Oregon. Unfortunately, due to several bad weather years, both regattas have been placed on ‘hiatus’ until further notice.

Sailing Takes Root: Growth in Youth and Adult Programs

Sailing for Mt. Baker Rowing and Sailing Center has experienced a continued growth for youth and adults. With support from program fees and fundraising events, the sailing fleet houses over 20 small dinghy type sailboats. The summer is jammed full with youth classes offered 5 days a week with adults enjoying a learn to or continuing sailing classes in the evening or weekends. The Youth Sailing Team has entered several regional events and continues to grow.

Community Focus: Scholarships, Outreach, and Expansion (1985-Present)

The Boating Advisory Council (BAC) supports after school programs; rowing (all year), sailing (all year) and school outreach programs (spring only). During the summer, the BAC sponsors ‘Summer Boating for youth” where Seattle Community Centers and regional youth groups attend boating programs with emphasis on safety and FUN.  The BAC solely supports and funds all applicants for scholarship/ financial aid assistance. All equipment is purchased through program dollars and fundraising dollars through the Boating Advisory Council. 

Since late 1999, BAC has had a long term goal and a project to be proud of: a premier boating center in southeast Seattle. Total funding was secured in 2006, for Phase I in the amount of $2.4 million. Robin Abrahams Architect firm was selected to proceed with the drawings and Seattle Pacific Homes was selected as the builder. Construction started in May, 2007 with the first floor boat storage completion in December, 2007. The project increased boat storage by 6,200 sqft, with a larger more welcoming office/lobby space and locker rooms with showers for participants. Fundraising for Phase II began in late 2009 for the completion of the upstairs multipurpose meeting room which was ‘roughed’ in during Phase I. Arellano/Cristofides Architects were selected to design the 3,200s.f. meeting space and PKM Construction was selected to complete the design. Phase II cost $530,000 to retrofit and upgrade the interior with many state of the art audio visual, caterer’s kitchen and a one-stop elevator. All of the funding was privately donated with the Corkery family being of substantial donors. In September, 2011, the meeting room was completed and placed into service at which time, the building was donated to Seattle Parks and Recreation. Rental income helps fund equipment replacement and financial aid.

A Warm Welcome Back: A Look to the Future

During the COVID pandemic, Mount Baker Rowing and Sailing Center was closed from March 2020 until June 2021.  Since then most programs have returned to at or near pre-pandemic levels and the facility continues to serve hundreds of participants every week.

We warmly welcome you back to the Mount Baker Rowing and Sailing Center! Register today for our juniors & adult crew, and sailing programs.