The sound of paddles slicing through the Swinomish Channel carried the heartbeat of this year’s Swinomish Days, held Aug. 7–10. Canoe families from across the Salish Sea gathered to race, honor the water, and strengthen bonds that stretch back generations.
Canoe racing has been a centerpiece of Swinomish life for nearly a century, and this year’s races brought together youth, elders, and seasoned champions. Pullers faced both heat and challenging tides, especially on Championship Sunday, when low water turned the shoreline in front of Swədəbš Park into a mudflat. Teams carried their sleek canoes across the mud, undeterred by the added work.
Swinomish Senator Brian Porter, who still trains with solo four-mile pulls at age 56, was among those helping haul canoes in the sun.
The final races featured the much-anticipated women’s and men’s singles sprints, with victories by Jocelyn Washington of Lummi Nation and Joe “Powwow” Rodriguez of Nooksack Indian Tribe.
Races were held for a variety of age groups, some involving teams with as many as 11 pullers. The sprints for teams ages 10 and under were among the more widely watched.
“It’s amazing for these young ones to be out on the water,” said race announcer Michael Vendiola. “And they didn’t just show up today. They’ve been training and racing throughout the year.”
Bill Reynolds is a general assignment reporter who covers Town government, schools, and spot news.
