Front Yard Fun

Water you doing later?

By Amy Kepferle · Wednesday, July 28, 2010

On the day I cross the railroad tracks next to the Fairhaven bus terminal to visit the Bellingham Bay Community Boating Center for the first time, it’s a windy, brisk summer morning and there’s absolutely nobody on the water.

This, Executive Director Mike Callaizakis says, is because it’s simply not safe to be out and about on small craft when the currents of air are blowing at more than 12 knots. And because the waterfront nonprofit focuses on safely getting people in and out of the water, it’s likely one of the first things people will learn about when they make their way to the space.

If you haven’t heard of—or, like me, haven’t yet visited—the Community Boating Center, you’re not alone. Although they’ve been running as a nonprofit for three years, Callaizakis says they rely heavily on word of mouth and social networking sites to get the word out about who they are and what they do.

Come Tues, Aug. 2, Callaizakis and others involved with the seafaring hub will explain in more detail what the real deal is as part of August’s “Locals in the Know” series at Village Books. “Front Yard Fun: Experiencing Bellingham Bay from the Water’s Edge and Beyond” will be the general topic, but those with additional questions can rest assured they’ll be answered.

“Our goal is to get beginners—and the community of Bellingham as a whole—out on the water,” Callaizakis explains. “Our main focus is education and safety on the water.”

Luckily, they’re perfectly located to do just that. Since taking over the series of buildings and lots that provide direct access to the bay in 2007, they’ve filled the center with tools of the trade—kayaks, sailboats, rowboats, life preservers, paddles and assorted articles of gear are crammed in every available nook and cranny—and have made it easy for just about anybody who’s interested to leave the terra firma behind and spend some time getting familiarized with the currents.

But back to that safety thing. In addition to providing rentals of the aforementioned equipment—as well as offering monthly storage of boats under 24 feet for a small fee—a big part fulfilling the mission of the center is a roster of classes that bring home the messages of preparedness. A free, monthly “Safe Sea Kayaking in the Pacific Northwest” focuses on skills needed to paddle in a cold water environment (the next one is Aug. 28), and ongoing classes include “Capsize and Recovery,” “Learn to Sea Kayak,” “Learn to Sail” and “I Can Kayak” camps for kids. Off-water clinics on “Pacific Northwest Navigation” and “Tides and Currents” are on the lineup, as well.

Once you know what you’re doing, the sky’s the limit. And, guess what, you don’t even need to purchase your own boat. Per-hour rentals are relatively inexpensive, but the screaming deals can be found in the season passes—all-inclusive passes can be had for $200-$250 per person or $350 for a family, and that nets you months and months of time in your own “front yard.”

Callaizakis has countless examples of people who’ve dropped by to check out the center, and have ended up fostering healthy addictions to what they offer.

“I love being by the water and watching how much people enjoy getting in the bay,” he says. “People in the community often say, ‘Oh, I didn’t know you were here,’ and then after they come, they say, ‘I’m really happy you’re here!’”