2025 Windermere Cup Information
The University of Washington and Windermere Real Estate are excited to host the Windermere Cup races on Saturday, May 3rd, on Lake Washington.
The races are held as part of the celebration of Seattle's Opening Day of Boating Season and are followed by the Seattle Yacht Club's Opening Day Boat Parade. More than 800 rowers compete in this prestigious event, which culminates with the women's and men's Windermere Cup races.
Following the races, fans are invited to join the regatta champions for an awards ceremony and presentation of the Windermere Cup Trophy on the stage located near the video board on the NW side of the Montlake Cut, near the finish line.
Admission to the event is free. Viewing is available on the shores of the Montlake Cut, or by boats anchored to a log boom in Lake Washington.
If you have any questions, please call UW Event Management at 206-543-2246.
Transportation
The Montlake Bridge will be closed to traffic from 9:20 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Windermere Cup Daily Parking Rate (Friday & Saturday): $20.25
Public parking available in E12, E18/01, & S03.
No public parking available in TG/IMA, E08, E09, & E06.
Directions
To E1 via I-5
From I-5, take the NE 45th St. exit (#169). Turn right unto NE 45th St. Continue east on NE 45th St. until you reach Mary Gates Memorial Drive. Take a right onto Mary Gates Memorial Drive. Take the first right onto Clark Road and proceed west to reach the NE entrance of the E1 parking lot.
-or-
From I-5 northbound, take the NE 45th Street exit (#169). Turn right onto NE 45th Street. Continue east about 4/10 mile to 15th Avenue NE and turn right. Head south on 15th Avenue approximately 6 blocks to NE Pacific Street. Turn left onto NE Pacific Street, staying in the left-hand lane. Continue east to the first left turn option; the road makes a "Y" at that traffic-lighted intersection. Turn left onto NE Pacific Place. Continue a short distance to Montlake Boulevard and turn left and continue north on Montlake Blvd. When the road makes a "Y", bear right staying on Montlake Blvd. At Walla Walla Road turn right. Straight ahead you will see the multi-lane northern entrance to the E1 parking lot. When you enter the lot, Parking Services staff will collect the parking fee and direct you to a parking space
To E12 via I-5 Northbound
From I-5 northbound, take the NE 45th St. exit (#169). Turn right unto NE 45th St. Continue east about 4/10 mile to 15th Avenue NE and turn right. Head south on 15th Ave NE approximately 6 blocks to NE Pacific Street and turn left. Drive east to the first left turn option; the road makes a "Y" at that traffic-lighted intersection. Turn left onto NE Pacific Place. Move into right hand lane and cross Montlake Blvd. at the traffic light to enter in front of Husky Stadium. Veer right toward gatehouse.
Log Boom
Thank you for your support of the Windermere Cup and Opening Day. Participation by all boaters is imperative if we are to keep moorage for this community event solely by donation.
We will run out of our allocated space, so do not wait if you would like a spot. Please note that the south side of the cut is free and not regulated by UW.
Tie up for the log boom begins on Thursday, May 1st, at noon. Those that donate in advance will be assured a place on the boom if they arrive before 7:30 a.m. on Saturday, May 3rd. Location along the boom is on a first-come, first-served basis within the reservation area. Staff will assure your boat is tied up in a safe location based on its size. Boats wanting to be next to specific boats MUST arrive together - no exceptions.
All dinghies need to avoid the warm-up area (just north of the log boom) and have zero wake when traveling on either side of the log boom. Pick-ups and drop-offs on the dock are prohibited 30 minutes prior to the start of the races.
If you have any questions about the log boom, email uwharbor@uw.edu for the fastest response.
Because of the growing popularity of the log boom, the process to reserve a section on the boom will require the following:
- Section must have at least 180 feet reserved (full donation needed)
- Section will be responsible to assist tie up boats and monitoring reserved section
- Boats may still have a reserved spot without section affiliation.
- All applications received after April 15th will be subject to a $50 late processing fee.
