4-Miler course start/finish area

Pointing down the canal, southeasterly, on the right hand side.

Actual start/finish between first two cottonwood trees

N

Approaching first bridge (1000 meters)

Careful as waterway narrows for bridge abutments

Entering Lake Union

Approaching first turn (right)

Entering Lake Union

Check out the wind direction and velocity on this windsock. This will affect water conditions appropriately.

Heading south on Lake Union

Looking toward downtown

Speed Buoys

Two of these buoys are to your immediate left at this point

AGC Building. Gold letters clearly visible.

Approaching the south end

Approaching the south end

Large red “can” buoy now becoming visible. It is immediately opposite the

AGC building

Approaching the south end turn

Red buoy fully visible, but don’t initiate your turn too soon.

In the south end (left hand) turn

Approach the red buoy passing to the right of it

In the south end turn

This is the apex (farthest point) of the south end turn – view is on the port side looking north

Ending the south end turn

Still viewing the buoy on your port side but your bow will be

pointing north

Heading to the north turn

There is a single white apartment building that is built over the water, aim generally towards it or between the only

two tall buildings visible

Heading to the north turn

It is a straight shot to the north turn, do NOT follow the circumference of the

lake at the south end

Heading to the north turn

As you get closer you’ll start steering slightly left of the apartments and the tall buildings to set up for the

turn

Heading to the north turn

Note on the way into this area you’ll be passing two more small yellow speed buoys on your port side.

Note also that the commercial waterway traffic like this has the right of way.

You will be crossing the traffic pattern in this turn.

Heading into the north turn

The beginning of the north turn is marked by this

sailboat dock (note masts) that protrudes out farther

than any other dock. White sign on the end of it.

Heading into the north turn

At this point you can start turning towards the right side of the green metal “can” buoy at the north end by Gasworks

Park.

Beginning the north turn

The sign

In the north turn

This is one of the most hazardous portions, make sure

you yield if necessary as you are crossing the traffic pattern.

In the north turn

Pass to the right of the green buoy, between it and the

Gasworks wall.

Completing the north turn

Passing the buoy is the end of the north turn, you should

be pointed appropriately once you pass it and heading

straight towards the bridge opening. The powerline tower is a good object to

point towards AFTER you pass the buoy.

Exiting the north turn

From here it is a straight shot to the canal opening but aim for the smaller draw bridge or powerline

tower

Approaching the bridges

Do NOT follow the contour of the waterway here, it opens up to the right. If you do, you will

row farther and potentially collide with club rowers

launching from LWRC docks.

Through the bridges

Careful as it narrows significantly here. Watch the

canal wall on the right but stay on the right side under the

bridge.

Bridge/waterway centerline

Into the canalView from under the bridge.

1000 meters to go. It opens up a bit so move to the right side of

the waterway.

Note the powerline tower alignment

500 Meters to go

This flag is off port side and it is the 500 meter mark.

Nearing the finish

The finish, same as the start, is the last two large cottonwood trees near the SPU dock. There should be a

flagger.

The finish

As always, stay to the right, and row through the finish, do NOT stop until the entire boat is well past the

line. DO NOT impede finishers behind you, row on.

Start/Finish line

Do NOT stop here

Racing traffic!

Finishing traffic