Hydroplane Boat Launches: Genesee Park's Watery Thrill

Hydroplane boat races have been a part of Seattle's Seafair festival since 1951, when Stan Sayres brought the Unlimited hydroplane boat races to the city. Seafair is an annual event that was originally designed to be a marine-themed festival to attract tourists and put Seattle in the national spotlight. The hydroplane boat races take place at Genesee Park, located on Lake Washington, and the Stan Sayres Memorial Park, also known as Sayres Pits, which is located a mile south of the Interstate 90 Bridge on the lake.

Stan Sayres Memorial Park is a great spot to launch hydroplane boats

The park is also known as "Sayres Pits" due to its association with the annual Seafair Hydroplane Races. The races have been a core Seafair event since the 1950s, and the park serves as the race pits during the competition. The park is named after Stan Sayres, a hydroplane enthusiast who was instrumental in bringing the Unlimited hydroplane races to Seattle.

In addition to the boat launches, Stan Sayres Memorial Park offers beautiful views of the lake and, on clear days, Mount Rainier, Glacier Peak, and Mount Baker. It's a great spot to enjoy the scenery and watch the boats zoom by during the races. The park also provides overnight parking for vehicles with boat trailers, making it convenient for those coming from afar.

However, it's important to note that the park has limited seating, with only one picnic table and a few benches. During summer weekends, the park can get quite busy and is a popular spot for locals to host tailgate parties and BBQs. If you're looking for a quiet, secluded spot, Stan Sayres Memorial Park might not be the best choice during peak times.

Overall, Stan Sayres Memorial Park is a fantastic location for launching hydroplane boats, with its convenient location, ample launching lanes, and stunning views. It's a must-visit destination for hydroplane enthusiasts and those looking to enjoy a day by the lake.

The hydroplane races are a part of the Seafair Festival Weekend

Seafair is an annual festival held in Seattle, Washington, US, that began in 1951 as a celebration of the city's centennial. It has its roots in the Golden Potlatch, a marine festival held in Seattle from 1911 to 1914 and again from 1935 to 1941. The festival was intended to maintain the spotlight on Seattle after the success of the 1909 Alaska-Yukon-Pacific Exposition, but it was interrupted by two World Wars and the Great Depression.

In the 1940s, Seattle lacked major league sports teams and was seeking ways to gain national recognition. So, in March 1950, business leaders recruited Walter Van Camp, the director of St. Paul, Minnesota’s Winter Carnival, to plan a festival that would showcase marine-themed events and attract tourists. Van Camp planned a ten-day celebration for August of that year, which included the construction of the 5,500-seat Greenlake Aqua Theatre in just 75 days.

The following year, Stan Sayres brought the Unlimited hydroplane boat races to Seattle, and they have been the core Seafair event ever since. Stan Sayres was a car dealer who developed an intense interest in boat racing. In 1937 he bought his first hydroplane, the Slo-mo-shun, and in 1950 he set the World Unlimited water speed record himself in the Slo-mo-shun IV, reaching 160.323 mph (258.015 kph).

The Seafair Cup is the longest continuously running race on the schedule, having never been skipped a year from 1951 to the present. The races take place at Genesee Park and Lake Washington, with spectators viewing from the shores of the lake or the Seafair Log Boom. The excitement of hydroplanes racing at over 220 MPH is an unbelievable experience and one of the highlights of the Seafair Festival Weekend.

The park is located on the small peninsula formed by Wetmore Slough

Genesee Park is a 57.7-acre park in the Rainier Valley neighbourhood of Seattle, Washington. The park is bordered by Lake Washington to the north, with the Stan Sayres Memorial Park and Mount Baker Rowing and Sailing Centre located nearby. The southern border of the park is defined by a ridge inline with S. Alaska St., while 46th Ave. S. and 43rd Ave. S. form the eastern and western borders, respectively.

The park offers a variety of amenities, including a nature trail and wild bird habitat, a large picnic shelter, and an open grass area. There are also sports fields for soccer and football, a fenced-in dog park, a circular walkabout, and three child play areas. The sports fields are equipped with stadium lighting to allow for night-time use.

In addition to its recreational features, Genesee Park also holds historical significance. The site was once a waterway and played a role in the area's transportation and trade. The lowering of Lake Washington and the subsequent drainage of Wetmore Slough impacted the local ecosystem and led to the development of the park and the surrounding area.

Genesee Park serves as a reminder of the changing landscape and the efforts of the community to adapt and create green spaces for future generations to enjoy. The park's history is intertwined with that of the region, reflecting the vision and perseverance of those who came before.

The park is named after Stan Sayres, who was instrumental in bringing the hydroplane races to Seattle

Hydroplane racing has been a fixture of Seattle's Seafair Festival Weekend since 1951. The races take place on Lake Washington, with the Genesee Park area serving as a viewing spot for spectators.

Following this success, Sayres entered the 1950 Gold Cup Race in Detroit with Slo-mo-shun IV. He won, and as a result, the next race was held at his yacht club in Seattle. This was the first unlimited hydroplane race on Lake Washington in August 1951, marking the beginning of the city's love affair with the sport.

Sayres was also involved in the design of his boats. He collaborated with Boeing engineer Ted Jones to incorporate radical aircraft design principles into the Slo-mo-shun boats. Slo-mo-shun IV is considered the "granddaddy" of all modern hydroplanes due to its innovative three-point hull design, which allowed the boat to skim over the waves with only a small portion of the propeller submerged. This unique feature created the rooster tail effect—a giant arc of water behind the speeding boat.

In memory of Stan Sayres, who passed away in September 1956, the community raised funds and built the "Sayres Pits" at Wetmore Slough (now known as Stan Sayres Memorial Park) in time for the 1957 races. The park is located a mile south of the Interstate 90 Bridge on Lake Washington and is home to the Mount Baker Rowing and Sailing Center. It offers four wide launching lanes, usually protected from rough water, making it an ideal spot for boat racing and related events.

The Mount Baker Rowing and Sailing Center is also located in the park

Hydroplane races are hosted at Genesee Park in Seattle, Washington. The park is located on Lake Washington and is known for its boat launch facilities. It is also home to the Mount Baker Rowing and Sailing Center, which is located within Stan Sayres Memorial Park. The Mount Baker Rowing and Sailing Center is a hub for water sports enthusiasts, offering a range of classes and programs for all ages and skill levels. With its spectacular waterfront location, the centre provides a unique setting for special events, meetings, receptions, and weddings.

The Mount Baker Rowing and Sailing Center is situated on the shores of Lake Washington, offering stunning views of the lake and the surrounding landscape. The centre is dedicated to promoting fitness, adventure, and a sense of community among its members. It caters to a wide range of interests and abilities, with classes in rowing, sailing, kayaking, and windsurfing. Their health and fitness classes are particularly popular, as they are designed to accommodate people of all shapes, sizes, and fitness levels.

The centre is also known for its junior program, which is its largest and most active, attracting around 120 athletes from across the region. The junior program focuses on teaching the fundamentals of rowing, including boat handling, water safety, and equipment care. The competitive nature of rowing instils a sense of pride and accomplishment in the athletes as they rise to meet the physical and mental challenges of the sport. It also fosters sportsmanship and a sense of team camaraderie. The success of the junior program is evident in the regional and national recognition consistently earned by the Mt. Baker Junior Crew teams.

In addition to its regular classes and programs, the Mount Baker Rowing and Sailing Center offers a variety of summer camps for youth aged 8 to 18. These camps provide a mix of activities, including multi-sport adventures, sailing, and rowing. The centre ensures that financial aid is available for all classes, demonstrating their commitment to making their activities accessible to everyone, regardless of financial means. Their partnership with Seattle Parks and Recreation allows them to offer waivers, sliding scales, activity exchanges, and scholarships to those in need.

The Mount Baker Rowing and Sailing Center is more than just a sports facility; it is a community hub that fosters personal growth, teamwork, and a love for water sports. With its beautiful location and diverse offerings, the centre has become an integral part of the local sports landscape, providing a space for individuals to challenge themselves, connect with others, and create memorable experiences on and off the water.

Frequently asked questions