Boathouse and History
“While at Bloedel, I accidentally wandered into the WRA boathouse, that’s all it took. I knew I wanted to be a part of everything I was seeing – the elegance of the shells, the allure of the water, the strength, focus, and energy!
– Mel Seu
Robert C. Diehl Boathouse
The Beginning
In December of 2010 a small group of interested people met at the local Avenue Bread to talk about organizing a community rowing program for Bellingham. In spite of hurdles it was decided to give it a whirl and gather the information needed to turn this idea in to a reality. Everett Rowing Association and Sammamish Rowing Association were very helpful in providing input and insight for us to formulate a plan to proceed.
Our Community
Since 2011 WRA has grown from an idea to a very active and successful addition to the sporting activities available to the local community. With the help of many local businesses, individuals, and support groups WRA has managed to build a boathouse, purchase boats, and help hundreds of people experience rowing as a new sporting activity.
Our Boathouse
When WRA first started there was very little to see. The Bellingham Parks Department allowed the club to fence in a compound at the east end of the Bloedel Donovan Park to store the original boats, which had been donated by other rowing clubs throughout Washington. Today, we have a beautiful boathouse with over 20 shells.
Boathouse manager
Dan Kostrzewski is a builder, a thinker and a connector, with a history of growing orgs, brands and communities in the recreation space. His earliest rowing memories are acting as his father’s masters team “manager” at the Royal Canadian Henley and getting lost watching Head of the Charles—alone— at age 12. He comes from a family of oarsmen & oarswomen with a sister who coached her women’s program to a DI national championship, a brother who rowed at the Naval Academy and a father who built a scholastic rowing club to provide opportunities for public high school students in Buffalo, NY.
Dan K’s strengths are herding cats through sharp project management, growing communities through powerful storytelling and strengthening our shared connections around outdoor recreation. Outside of work, he serves on Whatcom County’s bike and pedestrian committee, North Sound Trout Unlimited’s board and has volunteered as an avalanche safety instructor at Mt Baker for two decades. For the past ten years, he’s run two branding consulting & creative agencies that shaped the stories of influential outdoor brands from Hydro Flask, Osprey and Stanley to Arcteryx, Sage and Stio.
Go Whatcom!
Whatcom Rowing Association (WRA) is a nonprofit community-based rowing club that has served Whatcom County since 2011. Whether you have previous experience or have never touched an oar, we have something for you.
Have Questions?
Please fill out the program information form to learn more and connect with us at WRA.