Cascade PaddleSports

08/12/2024

Cascade’s Connell sweeps US Nationals U18 K-1 races, wins 2 of 3 Senior K-1 races

In dramatic and decisive fashion, Cascade Canoe & Kayak Racing Team’s Finn Connel swept the four K-1 (Kayak one person) U18 (under 18 years old) races at the US National Championship in Gainesville, GA.

On Tuesday, 16-year-old Connell, a Senior at Shorecrest High School in Shoreline, Washington, started the regatta by winning the K-1 Men 1000 meters U18 in a personal record time of 3:37.33 over second place Benji Ingraham from Georgia by more than 15 seconds – the widest gap in several years.

One hour fifty minutes later was the Senior (Open) K-1 Men 1000, which saw Finn again in first with at time of 3:39.18, beating another Georgian, Andrew Surles, by just over 4 seconds. This victory earned Connell the coveted Barton Trophy, named in honor of US Olympic Champion Greg Barton.

500-meter races on Wednesday again had Connell setting another personal record by winning gold in a time of 1:44.55, besting Ingraham by 4.27 seconds. He then raced in the K-4 500 meters with Ingram, Jasper Wooters of Georgia, and Soren Ogle of Seattle, winning in a time of 1:35.27 over boats representing Hawaii, Oklahoma City, and San Diego, as well as the guest boat from Manitoba.

Thursday saw Connell take the gold in the K-1 Men Senior 500 in a time of 1:47.19, again over second place Surles. Finn also raced the K-1 Men U18 5000-meter event in decisive fashion in a time of 22:24.70, besting second place Luke Enns of guest Manitoba by nearly two minutes.

Friday was 200-meter day and saw Finn setting another personal record with gold in the K-1 Men U18 race in a time of 40.66 seconds. In the Senior he placed 6th with a time 42.68 seconds.

Finn has established himself as the top U18 Man Kayaker in the Unted States and is headed for the Olympic Hopes Regatta in Hungary in September with Team USA. He is also looking toward the 2025 Junior (U18) World Championship in Portugal next July.

Connel races for Cascade Canoe & Kayak Racing Team, based at the Blue Heron Landing Marina in Bothell, Washington, USA and is coached by Dan Henderson.

03/22/2024

Cascade Canoe & Kayak Racing Team community outreach event at the Kenmore Hangar, on Saturday, May 23, from 1 - 4pm. Try canoe and kayak ergometers, meet team members – including Finn Connell who was 8th in the world last year in his age group, learn about youth programs you can join.
6728 NE 181st St, Kenmore, WA 98028
We’re looking forward to seeing you tomorrow!

07/24/2022

01/31/2022

For the past 5 years, Cascade Canoe and Kayak Racing Team has provided programs for the Bothell and surrounding communities from the Blue Heron Landing Marina. Last year we provided instruction, training, and racing opportunities for more than 250 youth, with limited adult programs. Last year we provided over 5500 hours of youth and 800 hours of adult programming.
This week we learned that our lease would be terminated unless we agree to a 51% increase in rent.

So, we are looking for a new home. Can you help?

What we need is to be close to the water, a low dock for launching (about 30 feet by four feet which we can build), a place to park two 45’ shipping containers with about 10 feet between them. We also need temporary space to set up slings to prepare boats for paddling and clean them afterwards. The slings are put away after each session. Access to electricity is also important for LED lighting in the containers – we have used an extension cord at the Blue Heron.

During the school year our programs run from 5:45am until 7:00 am, a mid-day session as needed, and afternoons from 4:30-7:00.
We are able to pay rent.

Can you please help us find a new home?

Thank you very much.