WHATCOM COUNTY, WA (MyBellinghamNow.com) – The Ski to Sea canoe leg began in Riverside Park in Everson on Sunday, May 26. The race began at 7:30 a.m. with the earliest road bikers arriving at the park just before 10 a.m. The road bike leg began at the WSDOT Shuksan Maintenance Shed, with the majority of racers making their way to Everson at roughly 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. where their partners patiently waited to begin the canoe section of the race.
At 9 a.m., race organizers gave instructions to participants where they then brought their canoes from Everson Park to the rocky shores of the Nooksack River.
The Sunday morning race saw moderate showers which added a layer of challenge for the race’s participants. Slippery roads caused a biker to fall near the finish line in Everson, and loose mud created dangerous sub-par conditions for racers and attendees. However, many riders came to enjoy the chilliness of this year’s event.
Below are race photos from MyBellinghamNow contributor Jack Warren.
Racers lug their canoes to the waters to prepare beginning their journey.
Hundreds of attendees wait near the shores of Nooksack River at 10 a.m. in Riverdale Park in Everson as they wait to begin the canoe leg.
Ski to Sea racers patiently wait for their companions to arrive by the Riverside Park shore.
Cyclists spot their companions as they approach the leg finish line in Riverside Park.
Ski to Sea participants began bringing their canoes toward the river at 9:30 a.m. as they prepared for their partners to arrive.
The road bike leg’s early finishers arrived at Riverside Park just after 10 a.m., passing their bracelets on to their canoe partners.
A racer pats their partner on the back for finishing the road bike leg of the race. Photo by Jack Warren
Crowds cheer as their loved ones pedal their way to the road bike leg finish line.
Multiple bikers arrive at the finish line simultaneously with crowds cheering on the sidelines.
The finish line is flooded with cyclists as it approaches 11 a.m.
Riverside Park saw hundreds of Ski to Sea participants and spectators arrive after 8 a.m.
After receiving bracelets from partners, racers bolt to the shore to begin the next leg.
Racers wear life jackets in advance to save themselves time, making the transition to Sea as seamless as possible.
Participants set sail in Nooksack River at 11:30 a.m.
Hoards of racers lug their canoes to the Nooksack River as more cyclists finish their final strides.
Sunday morning’s rain makes the canoe leg chilly for participants.
Many racers show up in costume, showing their enthusiasm for the event.
The canoe leg transitions into the cyclocross section Hovander Homestead Park in Ferndale.
Ski to Sea’s canoers smile as they complete their section.
Rain persisted through the commencement of the canoe leg.
Spectators clear the way for racers to storm the shores of Hovander Homestead Park.
Canoeists have an ice-cold walk to shore.
Ski to Sea participants hurry to begin the next leg.
Canoeists begin their long journey down Nooksack River at 11:30 a.m.
Before beginning the canoe leg, racers rush to the river to grab their gear.
