Bellingham Breeze
Come join the Community Boating Center for Bellingham Breeze Regatta on August 16th
Entry Fee - $30/Sailor
This regatta is open to all community sailors, but please note that the skipper of each boat must have passed a CBC administered skill tests.
We will have fleets of RS Quests, RS Teras, and Lasers. Any community member can sail their own boat if cleared by regatta organizers.
RS Quests are 14 foot dinghies which require a skipper and crew. RS Teras are single handed dinghies, perfect for younger sailors. They have a weight capacity of 140 pounds.
Timeline:
10:00am-11:00am : Check-in / rigging
10:30am : Competitors Meeting (Mandatory)
11:30am : First Warning
4:00pm : Last Start
5:00pm: Awards
This regatta is a non-rotational event
For questions, please contact youthracing@boatingcenter.org.
Please note that season passes do not apply to this event.
Beach Sweep
About:
This is a monthly gathering with the goal of keeping our local beaches clean. We will paddle to an area and spend some time picking up as much trash as we can. Each effort will end with a BBQ at the CBC! The best way to practice your sweep stroke is while picking up trash from your kayak with your friends.
Please RSVP to the Beach Sweep BBQ that is scheduled for after each event by filling out the form linked in your followup email!
Ages 10+; All Abilities Welcome
If you bring your own boat you still need to register
Warriors on the Water BBQ
Join us for an intro to the Community Boating Center and our Warriors on the Water programs on Monday, August 18th from 5:30-7:30! Military and first responders of all ages, plus families, are welcome. Registration is $5, a refundable deposit to hold your spot. Eat some burgers and watch the water from CBC's new Wheelhouse building or get out on the bay with us via an evening sailboat ride or MegaSUP paddle.
Salty Social: Disability Pride
Celebrate Disability Pride on the Waterfront! This month’s Salty Social features a Tide Talk with Kris Scheppe of Blind Sailing, leading into our first-ever Blind Sailing Clinic for blind and visually impaired sailors. All proceeds from the night will support the Community Boating Center’s accessible programs, helping remove barriers and open the water to everyone.
Beats on the Bay : MaSango + Ukama
Experience the vibrant fusion of African musical traditions!
MaSango, featuring Zivanai and Helen, delivers award-winning sounds from Zimbabwe, Southern Africa, and the African Diaspora. Ukama brings a high-energy blend of traditional Zimbabwean roots and progressive fusion, creating a joyful, transformative performance
Beats on the Bay : Smooth Kiwi
An alternative psychedelic pop rock band made up of five passionate goofy individuals. Like a fresh kiwi, their music is vibrant, sweet, and satisfying. They blend groove-centric jams with sensual vocals, funky bass lines, tasteful drumming and an exploration of atmospheric guitar/synth tones
Beach Sweep
About:
This is a monthly gathering with the goal of keeping our local beaches clean. We will paddle to an area and spend some time picking up as much trash as we can. Each effort will end with a BBQ at the CBC! The best way to practice your sweep stroke is while picking up trash from your kayak with your friends.
Please RSVP to the Beach Sweep BBQ that is scheduled for after each event by filling out the form linked in your followup email!
Ages 10+; All Abilities Welcome
If you bring your own boat you still need to register
Beats on the Bay : Kate Dinsmore
A dynamic performer and vocalist, Dinsmore brings her songs to the stage with an undeniable presence. Her music is powerful and emotional, with influences ranging from Jazz to Rock to Americana.
Salty Social
Salty Social: Wild Women Edition at the Community Boating Center
Who: For wild women & those who love them
When: August 7th , 5:30–8:30 PM
Where: Community Boating Center, 555 Harris Ave Bellingham
Why: Because empowerment + outdoor adventure + community = a tide you don’t want to miss!
Join us for an evening where salt meets spirit- a lively celebration of women-identifying adventurers, artists, and gearheads. Whether you’re a MTB boss, a SUP diva, a bike commuter, or just ocean or 2-wheeler curious, this is your happy hour. All proceeds support our women-identifying programming and scholarships!
Shifting Gears Adventure Skills Lab
Get hands-on guidance from the folks at Shifting Gears with rotating skill stations:
6:00 PM – How to Pack for Backpacking: Learn the art of balancing weight and preparedness
6:30 PM – Map & Compass: Decode topo lines and orient your map like a pro
7:00 PM – Bike Repair Kit Essentials: What every biker should carry
7:30 PM – Changing a Flat: Patching like a champ
Whether you’re gearing up for your first overnighter or your 50th trail ride, there’s something for everyone.
P.S. We’ll have a Bike Valet on site - don’t worry about parking!
Art & Adornment
Complimentary Glitter Bar - Get your sparkle on!
Temporary Tattoos & Art for Sale by Koro Illustration – Pen and ink drawings inspired by the PNW for forest wanderers and saltwater souls. Whales, birds, and the occasional chainsaw. Prints, cards, and temporary tattoos. Hand-drawn and printed with care. 10% of proceeds go to the Community Boating Center.
Bike License Plate Studio - Personalize your ride! Design your own bike license plate… crafts, yes please!
Tide Talk with Mary d’Arcy
6:00-7:00 PM
Limited Spots, pre-register online.
Hear firsthand stories from CBC’s own Mary d’Arcy. Mary grew up in Port Townsend, WA, aboard a sail training boat. In her talk, she will share stories of growing up on an 84-foot schooner, sailing to the South Pacific, and how that led her to racing in high school and college. Now, as CBC’s sailing program coordinator, she is hoping to spread awareness of pathways into the sport and share the stoke around women’s racing.
Why This Matters
This event supports CBC’s women-identifying programming — from our youth leadership sailing programs to community partnerships that promote outdoor confidence and inclusivity.
Expect good vibes, great stories, gear know-how, and a whole lot of joy.
See you on the waterfront!
Tide Talk - Digital Weather Forecasting
Using and Understanding Digital Weather Forecasting
Many of us adventurers have relied on the National Weather Service's Marine Weather Reports on line or VHF marine radios for planning outdoors adventures. Considering that these forecasts may cover large areas such as the Northern Inland Waters, which covers most of the San Juan Islands, these forecasts may not be the most accurate for where you are or plan to be.
Today's weather digital apps can provide more specific and accurate forecasts for the unique area in which you may be adventuring. These forecasting apps depend on complex mathematical models for which I will help you to understand how they work and how best use them.
Mike Reed is a lifelong waterman whose primary focus these days is sailing on the Salish Sea. Over the years he has relied on weather forecasting for his many outdoors adventures which along with sailing have included surfing, scuba diving, rowing, kayaking, hiking and camping.
Birds of the Salish Sea
Join one of Wild Whatcom’s naturalists and experienced birders, Kate Brown, to get curious about the diverse bird species found in the Salish Sea. Review the basics of birding, learn to identify some common species, and then hit the water to paddle and search for Black oystercatchers, osprey, eagles, shore birds, and more!
Beach Sweep
About:
This is a monthly gathering with the goal of keeping our local beaches clean. We will paddle to an area and spend some time picking up as much trash as we can. Each effort will end with a BBQ at the CBC! The best way to practice your sweep stroke is while picking up trash from your kayak with your friends.
Please RSVP to the Beach Sweep BBQ that is scheduled for after each event by filling out the form linked in your followup email!
Ages 10+; All Abilities Welcome
If you bring your own boat you still need to register
Seize the Bay
Community Boating Center x Stones Throw Brewery: 2025 Seize the Bay Summer Ale Release!
We’re thrilled to raise a glass once again with our friends at Stones Throw Brewery for the release of the 2025 batch of Seize the Bay Summer Ale — our annual collaborative brew crafted to celebrate summer, sailing, and community spirit.
Join us on Tuesday, July 8th, from 5–10 PM at Stones Throw Brewery for an evening of great beer and even better company. 10% of all sales during the event will be donated to the Community Boating Center, supporting our mission to foster safe and inclusive small-boat recreation on beautiful Bellingham Bay.
🍺 About the Beer
Seize the Bay is a delightfully dry-hopped pale ale with subtle floral spice — crisp, refreshing, and perfect after a sail on the bay.
ABV: 5.4% | IBU: 28
🌊 About the Community Boating Center
Founded in 2006 by a passionate group of local watercraft enthusiasts, the Community Boating Center opened to the public in 2007 with a vision of making boating accessible to all. We’re not a club — there are no dues or memberships. Our programs, rentals, and services are open to everyone in the community.
Our operations are fueled by generous donations, season pass sales, dry-moorage fees, and boat rentals, allowing us to provide vital safety and skills education. Volunteers are the heart of our organization — teaching classes, maintaining boats, staffing events, and serving on our board and committees.
Let’s toast to summer adventures, community connection, and shared purpose. We’ll see you at the brewery!
Beach Sweep
About:
This is a monthly gathering with the goal of keeping our local beaches clean. We will paddle to an area and spend some time picking up as much trash as we can. Each effort will end with a BBQ at the CBC! The best way to practice your sweep stroke is while picking up trash from your kayak with your friends.
Please RSVP to the Beach Sweep BBQ that is scheduled for after each event by filling out the form linked in your followup email!
Ages 10+; All Abilities Welcome
If you bring your own boat you still need to register
Solstice Splash
Come celebrate the start of the summer season with fun and sun on the bay!
About:
Enjoy unforgettable evening celebrating and fundraising for our youth programs and scholarships. We’ll fill the waters of Bellingham Bay with kayaks, mega SUPs (x2!), RS Quests, and keelboats - supported by our talented youth sailors + young staff!
Come get salty, enjoy food, a beer garden, raffles, and meet our community partners! Let’s sail into summer while making a difference together!
When: June 20th, 5:00pm until 9:00pm
How to register:
If you would like to stay on land register for the Landlubber option starting at 5:00pm
If you would like to play on the bay select your preferred time slot and vessel type (register for all 3 sessions if you want to try a few different boats!)
Registration is on a sliding scale. Your support will fund our youth programs, scholarships, and ensure that our community enrichment programs are free for deserving families.
Last year, we delivered nearly 14,000 hours of youth programming on Bellingham Bay - and we couldn’t do it without our Community Support.
The State of Bellingham Bay
In this upcoming tide talk, Kirsten McDade (Re Sources/Northsound Water Keeper) and Zoe Fry (Re Sources/Program Coordinator) will provide a historical background and perspective on Whatcom County’s impaired watersheds. We will cover Bellingham’s 12 Model Toxic Cleanup Act (MTCA) sites (aka Bellingham’s Dirty Dozen), and their various stages of cleanup. We will also highlight Re Source’s volunteer run stormwater monitoring program, and cover how our group of volunteers are tracking and reporting pollution in Bellingham Bay.
Zoe Fry helps lead RE Sources' community science stormwater sampling project, coordinates harmful algal bloom monitoring efforts, and organizes and facilitates Youth for the Environment & People (YEP!). She is passionate about environmental health and engaging communities in citizen science projects. Zoe holds a B.S. in Biology with a research concentration from Gonzaga University. Outside of work, Zoe enjoys running, skiing, storytelling, and reading.
Kirsten McDade: As the Northsound Waterkeeper at RE Sources, Kirsten works in collaboration with community members and various stakeholders to ensure that our local waterways are being treated with dignity, respect, and according to law. Born and raised in the Pacific Northwest, she has degrees from Colorado College, Oregon State University, and Western Washington University. She uses best available science in conjunction with coalition building to ensure our water is protected for generations to come. In her spare time, she can be spotted outside on a trail, on the water, or in her garden with her family and dog Wren.
World Wind Day
Come join us to celebrate wind powered watercraft! For World Wind Day we are offering all sail rentals for 50% off. Please note you must be skills tested to rent. If you have not yet taken a CBC skills test we are offering all sailing skills test half off for the first two weeks of June. We look forward to sailing with you soon!
Pride Paddle Out
Paddle with Pride on Bellingham Bay!
About:
Join us in celebration of pride month for a Parade style paddle! We will provide sit on top kayaks, sea kayaks, rowboats, the Mega SUPs and paddle boards to use.
The first hour will be dedicated to decorating boats, face painting, and making signs to bring all the spirit and color to the bay. Costume, decor, and sign supplies encouraged, we can’t wait to see all your decorated boats and selves!
We will launch together, parade style from the CBC, and head north along the Boulevard Park boardwalk.
Event Timeline:
11:00am | check in at the CBC
11:00am - 12:00pm | Decorate boats and ourselves
12:00pm | All boats on the water and paddling out!
12:00pm - 1:30pm | Paddle parade style to boulevard park
1:30pm - 2:00pm | Return to the CBC and return gear
We are looking forward to celebrating love, unity, and the beauty of diversity on the water with you all!
This event is on a sliding scale and can be FREE but we require all participants to make a reservation whether you are bringing your own boat or using one from our fleet.
Mothers Day!
Join us at the Community Boating Center for a relaxing afternoon on Bellingham Bay this Mother’s Day. From 2:00–4:00 PM, you and your family can explore the bay at your own pace with sit-on-top kayaks. This self-guided experience is perfect for enjoying the natural beauty of the area, whether you're an experienced paddler or new to the water. Moms paddle for free, and family members can join for $30 for a 2-hour session.
For something extra special, we’re also offering discounted sunset sailboat rentals with a skipper. There are only one boats available, so be sure to book early.
Black Jack: An African American Mariner Cruising the Inside Passage with Clyde Ford
Black Jack: An African American Mariner Cruising the Inside Passage with Clyde Ford
National Teachers & Nurses Day
National Teachers & Nurses Day
For the ones who steer us in the right direction—thank you! ⚓💙
From May 7-14th at the Community Boating Center, we’re celebrating National Teachers Day & National Nurses Day by offering healthcare & education professionals 50% off boat rentals. It’s our way of saying THANK YOU for all you do for our community!
📅 May 7–14
🎟 Use code THANKYOUTEACHERS or THANKYOUNURSES at checkout
🔗 Book now!
Enjoy some time on the bay—you deserve it!
