Mt. Baker Rowing and Sailing Center

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ABOUT THE CENTER

Mt. Baker Rowing and Sailing Center is located on Lake Washington at Stan Sayres Park, about midway between Seward Park and the I-90 floating bridge in south east Seattle.

Fall & Spring Office Hours

Monday - Friday 2. - 6 p.m.
Saturday Closed
Sunday Closed

Summer Office Hours

Monday - Friday 9 a.m.. - 5:30 p.m.
Saturday Closed
Sunday Noon - 5 p.m.

CLASSES & PROGRAMS

Mt. Baker currently offers programs for ages 8-100 in rowing, sailing, kayaking and windsurfing for all ability levels. Financial Aid is Available for all classes. The Boating Advisory Council, in partnership with Seattle Parks and Recreation, wants to ensure that our activities, classes and sports are available to everyone, regardless of their ability to pay. The Council will chose to waive some or all fees, offer activities on a sliding scale, allow for an exchange of activities for volunteer service, or offer scholarships.

Reduced fees are intended mainly for families or individuals in our Seattle neighborhood who are on public assistance or are unemployed.

» Click here to view current classes

"On Land" Health & Fitness

With the increased space provided by the expansion project, on-site Parks Administration has scheduled new fitness classes several times a day, on two days each week…. early morning, mid-day and evening. There will be plenty of options to meet the busy lives of our neighborhood. Group lessons or personal instruction are also offered by a licensed personal trainer. This is helping to make a difference in the Parks and Recreation effort for improved health and to fight youth obesity. For more information call (206) 386-1913.

Junior Crew

Mt.Baker Junior Crew
The junior program (8th-12th graders, boys and girls) is the Center's largest and most active program — registering approximately 120 athletes from 30 middle and high schools throughout the region. The rowing program at Mt Baker teaches the basic fundamentals of rowing, boat handling, water safety and care of equipment. All classes are geared toward competitive rowing. Rowing produces a great sense of pride and accomplishment as athletes work to meet the physical and mental challenges of the sport. It teaches sportsmanship and team camaraderie. Past to present, Mt Baker Junior Crew teams have consistently earned both regional and national recognition.

» Calendar at a glance

Youth Summer Camps

We offer youth summer camps June-August for sailboarding, sailing, and multi-sport with kayaking and canoeing. If you would like the new catalog to be mailed or e-mailed to you, please send an email with your preference of how you would like us to send it to you. Float Tests are required for all of our camps and classes. See the form for more information.
Ages: 8-17 yrs

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PRINTABLE FORMS

• Assumption of Risk & Release Form
• Float Test Form
• Jr.Crew Medical-Code Form
• Medical Form Summer
• Medical Release-Temporary Surrogate Authorization
• Parent-Athlete Rowing Handbook
• Parent/Guardian Volunteer Information Sheet
• Regatta Permission Slip
• Registration Form
• Summer Camps: Youth Boating Info Sheet
• US Rowing Release of Liability Form

DIRECTIONS

This facility is accessible by private car, foot, bike, boat, and public transportation which makes stops on Genesee Street 3 blocks south of the facility. Because Stan Sayres Park features a boat launching ramp, as well as several piers for power or sailboats, one could arrive by water to take a class! 

» View Detailed Directions

HISTORY

The construction of a rowing and sailing center for youth in South Seattle was included in 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 architectural firm of TRA was hired to do a feasibility study and based on their recommendation, the new facility was erected at Stan Sayres Park on the shores of Lake Washington.

The firm of Calvin/Gorasch was selected to design the new facility and construction began in August of 1984. The building is located adjacent to a residential area that provided the inspiration for the classic sloping roofline and cedar shake roof of the new building. The building is gray stucco and trimmed in turquoise, fuchsia, forest green, and wedge wood blue.

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

The new council, lead by Wil Anderson as President, 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 fund raising activities to allow the purchase of ten Laser II sailboats, ten sailboards, and an eight oared shell named "City of Seattle."

In the summer of 1990, the Goodwill Games were held in Seattle, and the Mount Baker Rowing and Sailing Center hosted the events on Lake Washington. A 2000 meter course, beginning at Mount Baker Beach, was the venue for this world class Regatta.

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