Stir-crazy Whatcom County residents are ready for springtime recreation as COVID-19 case rates decrease and an extra hour of light arrives Sunday with Daylight Saving Time.
Whether it is rowing, running, golfing or team activities, the longer days and warmer temperatures invite sports enthusiasts to trot out their spring gear.
“I’m ready to be out and doing more; I’m tired of it being dark when I get off work,” Bellingham recreation coordinator Lance Romo said.
The county is filled with activities this spring, including road races, rowing and softball.
Here are some of the recreation sports highlights for the coming weeks and months:
Tons of fun runs
The Runnin’ O’ the Green kicks off with an 8-kilometer and 5K-run starting at 10 a.m. near Boundary Bay Brewery in downtown Bellingham. The Bellingham St. Patrick’s Day parade is scheduled to begin after the hour-long road race.
The annual race that dates back two decades was canceled in 2020 because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Last year, organizers held a virtual event with fewer contestants.
Romo said there is nothing like having a live race with participants dressed in “Kiss Me, I’m Irish” T-shirts, tutus and festive St. Patrick’s Day headbands.
“I’m excited for people to start gathering again,” Romo said. “I miss the interactions of these events.”
Runnin’ O’ the Green is the first of a handful of spring races.
The Chuckanut 50K on March 19 is already sold out. The Honeywagon Runs are scheduled for March 26 and the Run Like a Girl marathon is May 14.
Lisa Kaufman, Whatcom Rowing Association secretary, glides across Lake Whatcom during team practice. (Victoria Corkum/Cascadia Daily News)
Rowing & Paddling
The Whatcom Rowing Association’s youth and adult spring teams are holding regular practices and competitions after limitations because of coronavirus.
The adult team has practiced with full eight-person boats since early fall. But the junior league has had to adjust its schedule as the vaccine only recently was made available to those 18 years and under.
The junior team, which could only attend one regatta last year, is back to full capacity. The rowers plan to travel across the Pacific Northwest to compete, starting with a regatta in Seattle on April 2. The adult team’s first competition is scheduled for the third week of April on Lake Stevens.
The group is offering learn-to-row programs for adults in April and for youth in June.
The local community’s big event, the Lake Whatcom Classic, is scheduled for May 7. The regatta has races for rowers, paddlers and outrigger canoes.
The Rowers Association plans to host an open house on June 4 at Bloedel Donovan Park for National Learn to Row Day. Visitors can learn about the equipment and ride in a boat.
“I’m hoping now that some of the restrictions are being dropped, we’re kind of getting back to our new normal,” program director Courtney Moeller said.
Moeller, a Western Washington University assistant rowing coach, said the club has plenty of space for anyone interested in trying the sport.
The Bellingham Community Boating Center will reopen April 15, offering adult and youth lessons as well as other activities on the bay.
Adaptive and park programs
The Bellingham Parks and Recreation Adaptive Recreation program has spring events planned for people of all abilities.
The sports include GangBall, a wheelchair-accessible ball game at the Bloedel Donovan gym and virtual spin classes. Upcoming activities can be found in the Parks and Recreation Playbook online, all of which can be customized for participant needs, said Rosa Caldwell, education programs and activities coordinator.
Other adult club sports this spring include cornhole, softball and volleyball. Lake Padden Golf Course has scheduled beginner, experienced and women’s lesson programs in April.
