Sailors and sea-farers of all stripes are making waves through the Swinomish Channel as part of the WA360, a 360-mile, human- and wind-powered race that began June 28 in Port Townsend.
By July 1, sibling duo Stina and George Booth — Team Snufkin — cruised through the channel in their red-sailed vessel, heading north toward Bellingham. Based in Carlton, Washington, the Booths joined more than 100 teams in this non-motorized test of endurance, ingenuity, and grit.
The next day, Team Jackalope from Salt Lake City made a pit stop near Calico Cupboard around 2:45 p.m. to regroup and grab lunch while checking weather conditions. Crew members from left: Eric Townsend, Brandon Eshelman, and Joey Hendrix posed with their sleek Beneteau sailboat before deciding whether to make the final push. Their boat, adorned with a fierce jackalope graphic, drew curious looks from passersby.
From high-tech sailboats to simple kayaks, participants power themselves through a route that wraps around the Puget Sound and San Juan Islands, from Port Townsend to Olympia, up to Point Roberts and then back to Port Townsend. Racers have two weeks to complete the race, navigating tides, wind shifts, and fatigue. Fans can track progress in real-time through an app available on the WA360 website.
