Green Lake Small Craft Center

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ABOUT THE CENTER

EVENTS

Annually, the Rowing Advisory Council (RAC) hosts three major rowing regattas on Green Lake.

The Frostbite Regatta in November, the Green Lake Spring Regatta in April and the Summer Rowing Extravaganza in August draw competitors from throughout the Northwest!

The RAC raises funds with each of these events through entry fees and concessions. 

CLASSES & PROGRAM

Rowing
Youth and adult programs in both sweep rowing and in sculling.

Sailing
Children, youth, and adult programs in Toppers and Laser II's.

Canoe and Kayak
Children, youth, and adult programs in standard canoes, flatwater racing canoes, marathon canoes, and Olympic class flatwater kayaks.

Register Online using SPARC!

Classes and programs are also sometimes listed on the Seattle Canoe and Kayak Club web site.

PERMISSION SLIPS AND HANDOUTS

• Float Test Form (PDF)
• Assumption of Risk and Release Form (PDF)
• Medical History and Code of Conduct (PDF)
• USRowing Waiver (PDF)

BOAT RENTALS

Green Lake Small Craft Center does not rent boats. However, Green Lake Boat Rental, a private company on the other side of Green Lake, offers a variety of boats to rent to the general public including canoe, paddle boats and row boats.
They can be contacted at: (206) 527-0171

DIRECTIONS

Directions
> By Car

HISTORY

The youth rowing program was organized by a group of community leaders and neighborhood supporters in 1947, with the first crew beginning rowing in the summer of 1948. The original Conroy boathouse was located along the Eastern shoreline of Green Lake near Evans Pool. This remained the site of the Green Lake Crew program until the "new" Massart Shellhouse was built by the Aqua Theater contractor without cost to the City when that structure was being constructed in 1950. Guided by the Seattle Junior Crew Rowing Commission, the crew received equipment, and travel and operational support. By the mid-1950s, Seattle Parks and Recreation involvement had increased and the program was able to grow and develop continuity between seasons. In the Seattle earthquake of 1965, the shellhouse received extensive damage. Rather than just conduct repairs, the Department expanded the boathouse to accommodate additional shell storage and improve the launching areas.

Canoeing and sailing came to the lake in the late 1960s with the introduction of two public clubs, the Seattle Canoe Club and the Seattle Sailing Association. Both of these groups allowed for the expansion of small craft program opportunities without impacting the Department budget . . . a strong group of volunteers worked closely with Department staff, forming a successful partnership for nearly 20 years.

The 1968 Forward Thrust Bond Issue allowed for the construction of a new small craft center to accommodate rowing, sailing, and canoeing on Green Lake. This facility was completed in 1980 and included the remodeling of the Massart Shellhouse, the partial demolition of the Aqua Theater, and the addition of a building to house sailing and canoeing. The Green Lake Small Craft Center was dedicated on September 27, 1980.

Adult rowing was first offered to the public in the fall of 1984 and has since grown to be a large and stable portion of the program.

ADVISORY COUNCIL

Two separate advisory councils support the programs at the Green Lake Small Craft Center: the largest is the Rowing Advisory Council, responsible for the rowing and sailing portion of the program; and a public club sponsored by the Department which is the Seattle Canoe Club.

The Seattle Canoe Club is a public canoe and kayak club offering paddling opportunities for the general public on Green Lake. This volunteer club, working with the Department, offers classes and special events.

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