The University of Washington and Windermere Real Estate are proud to present the 39th annual Windermere Cup on Saturday, May 3rd, 2025, on Seattle’s iconic Montlake Cut. This prestigious rowing regatta will welcome nearly 800 athletes, showcasing the talent of local, national, and international crews in an exhilarating day of competition.
Teams for this year's event will be announced in February, promising another unforgettable lineup to continue this beloved Seattle tradition. The men’s Windermere Cup race will headline the day’s events, followed by the women’s race as the thrilling finale. Fans are invited to cheer on the athletes along the North and South shores of the Montlake Cut or from boats anchored to the log booms in Lake Washington. The day concludes with an awards ceremony and the presentation of the coveted Windermere Cup trophy on a stage near the finish line.
Admission is free, making it a perfect event for families, rowing enthusiasts, and anyone eager to experience the excitement of one of Seattle’s premier springtime traditions.
Competitors for the 2025 Windermere Cup will be announced in February.
The race schedule for 2025 will be released mid-April.
Following the Regatta, a cannon will sound and the Montlake Bridge will open, signaling the beginning of the Seattle Yacht Club’s Boat Parade.
Seattle Yacht Club’s 2025 Opening Day Trio, Admiral Christian Lockwood, Admiralette Christine Fraser, and Vice Admiral Mark Holden, announced the Opening Day Theme for 2025: Back to the 80's
Limited Edition Apparel & More: We have posters, tumblers, hats, clothing, backpacks and more you can purchase directly from Windermere.
Check back throughout the year for new items. Merchandise will also be available to purchase on the shores during Windermere Cup.
The viewing areas along the north and south shores of the Montlake Cut on race day are available on a first-come, first-served basis. You may also watch from the Montlake Bridge. The bridge closes to car traffic from 9:40 AM - 3:00 PM and you can watch the races from the bridge from 9:40 AM -11:45 AM, but you need to be off the bridge by noon when the cannon blast signals the beginning of the Boat Parade. That is when the bridge goes up to let the boats through.
Yes, there are a select group of food and beverage vendors on the north side of the Cut west of the Montlake Bridge.
The area around the Montlake Cut gets very congested on the morning of the races. Consider taking Metro, Light Rail or riding your bike down to the event.
The Windermere Cup races begin at 10:00 a.m. but the Montlake Bridge closes to car traffic at 9:40 a.m. It is best to arrive between 9:00 - 9:30 a.m. to get a spot on the Cut to watch the races.
After the races, all of the competing crews, with the exception of the teams competing in the Windermere Cup and Erickson Cascade Cup, will wait at the west end of the Montlake Cut in Portage Bay until all the races are over and then they will row back through the Cut to the Conibear shellhouse to put their boats away. This creates quiet a spectacle every year. Afterward there is an awards ceremony on the JumboTron Stage on the North side of the Montlake Cut, west of the Montlake Bridge, where awards are handed out, approximately between 12:30 - 2:00 PM. Many of the athletes gather there after the races.