Bellingham Canoe Kayak Sprint Team
Olympic-style kayak and canoe team for youth ages 9-18
About BCKST
BCKST is a member of the American Canoe Association (ACA). We train from mid-March through early November at Lake Padden (West entrance), in Bellingham, WA. Practices are held on Mondays and Thursdays from 4:15 – 6:15 pm and Saturdays from 10:00 am – noon. Boats and paddles are provided. We practice and race in individual boats as well as two- and four-person team boats.
First formed in 2013, the Bellingham Canoe Kayak Sprint Team (BCKST) has grown over the years to include novice paddlers as well as those excelling at top levels in the sport. In addition to competing in local and regional regattas, members of our team have competed at US Nationals, Junior(U18) and Senior (U23) World competitions, the Olympic Hopes Regatta in Europe, and the PanAmerican Games. BCKST gives kids the opportunity, no matter their skill level, to be a part of a team and learn a life-long sport.
Interested?
We accept new members at any time throughout the season, with permission from the head coach. Your child may try 1-2 practices, free of charge, before deciding to join the team. Please contact our head coach Steve Scoggins to arrange a date and time that works best to accommodate a new paddler.
Your child must be at least 9 years old, be proficient in swimming, and wear a well-fitting PFD. For younger paddlers, we recommended waiting until the weather is warmer (>50 degrees) for their first session.
What do paddlers wear?
On warm days, non-cotton clothing or swim shirts and trunks are recommended. Shoes don’t fit in the boats, but bring sandals or slides to walk to and from the shore. Add layers and consider wearing neoprene pants and socks on cold days, as well as a warm hat and pogies (hand covers to wear while gripping the paddle.) We practice rain or shine, although practice may be cancelled for extreme weather or high winds. A well-fitting PFD is required for all paddlers.
Join the team!
If you want to join the racing team after trying 1-2 practices, you will receive more details about yearly dues payment and the regatta schedule for the year.
You will also need to sign up for a yearly American Canoe Association membership. Our team is insured through the ACA, and membership is required to attend practices and participate in competitions. Membership can be purchased online at americancanoe.org/join-the-aca/
There are two types of ACA memberships:
For new paddlers who only plan to attend local and regional races, select the Individual Membership and choose the Bellingham Canoe Kayak Sprint Team from the drop-down menu of Paddle America affiliated clubs ($40/year).
For more experienced paddlers who plan to compete at Nationals and/or try to qualify for an international competition, select the Individual Membership with Competition License ($120/year).
Custom Gear
Once or twice a year, we’ll notify families about a team gear order for team shirts, racing jerseys and hats. If you would like to purchase an item and have it embroidered with our team logo, Bergen & Co. in Irongate has our logos on file.
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Want to donate?
BCKST is a not-for-profit organization and welcome your tax-deductible donation.