News from the Northwest Maritime Center >>

48° North has been published by the Northwest Maritime Center (NWMC) since 2018. We are continually amazed and inspired by the important work of our colleagues and organization, and dedicate this page to sharing more about these activities with you. 48° North is part of something bigger, and we believe the mission-minded efforts of our organization matter to our readers.

IT'S ALMOST ADVENTURE RACE SEASON — R2AK AND SEVENTY48 START IN JUNE!

Every corner of Northwest Maritime Center's (NWMC) Port Townsend campus is abuzz with activity. There's no offseason at NWMC, to be sure, but spring brings the inevitable feeling of revving-up to the Boatshop, the classrooms, even the office spaces have a different vibe as sunny summer approaches.

Big drivers of enthusiasm around NWMC at this time of year — and a unique and comparatively new way that the nonprofit's mission is served — are the fun and inspiring adventure races created by NWMC: Race to Alaska (R2AK) and Seventy48.

These races start in early June. In addition to the incredible adventurers who race, these events have become a flagship pathway for anyone who loves stories of human accomplishment, perseverance, and wonder to connect with NWMC's mission through the awesome experiences of those who undertake these journeys. It's about as good as it gets for those who are passionate about boats and the waters of the Pacific Northwest too!

Seventy48 is a human-powered boat race, running 70 miles between Tacoma and Port Townsend. The race begins on Friday evening June 2 on Tacoma's Foss Waterway, and this year's

EVENTS CALENDAR » www.nwmaritime.org/events

OUTBOARDS:

MAINTENANCE, CARE, AND TROUBLESHOOTING

May 6

NWMC Boatshop

NO IMPACT DOCKING

May 9-10

Online Class

RULES OF THE ROAD AND AIDS TO NAVIGATION

May 23-24

Online Class

ELECTRONIC NAVIGATION & VHF

May 30-31

Online Class largest-ever fleet of more than 125 teams will have 48 hours to make it to Port Townsend. The organizers invite you to "Come and watch the horde row, paddle, pedal, and pray their way north for 48 hours of glory." Fans may attend in-person at the start or finish lines, or follow the online tracker and social media updates.

Most 48° North readers will be familiar with the Race to Alaska. While it has generated genuinely worldwide acclaim, the core fan base is right here in the Pacific Northwest. Started in 2015, the R2AK is 750 cold-water miles of unsupported engineless racing between Port Townsend, WA, and Ketchikan, AK, with a stopover between legs in beautiful Victoria, British Columbia.

This year's R2AK promises the same rich, rugged waterwilderness as ever, with dozens of new teams and characters any fan or follower will find fun, engaging, and inspiring. Come join the R2AK shenanigans in person at the Ruckus in Port Townsend on June 4, for the R2AK start in the wee hours of June 5, or in Victoria from whenever racers arrive until the Leg 2 start on June 8.

» www.r2ak.com | www.seventy48.com

LEARN TO SAIL! BASIC KEELBOAT COURSE

May 29 -June 2

June 5-9

July 10-14

July 17-21

NWMC Campus & Port Townsend Bay

RADAR, COLLISION AVOIDANCE, AND NIGHT NAVIGATION

June 13-14

Online Class

BUILD YOUR OWN SKERRY OR PASSAGEMAKER DINGHY FOR SAIL AND ROW

September 18-24

NWMC Boatshop