Ted Houk Memorial Regatta

June 14 - 15, 2025

The Ted Houk Memorial Regatta has over 250 paddlers from the US and Canada for 2 days of Olympic flatwater racing on Green Lake! The Ted Houk Memorial Canoe and Kayak Regatta was started in 1979 in honor of our club's founder Dr. Theodore “Ted” Wilbur Houk.  We honor his service and the service of the all the club volunteers who have made 40+ years of the Ted Houk Memorial Regatta possible.  

Important Dates:

  • Monday, June 2nd Online Entries close
  • Friday, June 6th TEAM Entry form due
  • Saturday, June 7th Team Boat Building Virtual Meeting (details to come later)
  • Thursday, June 12th Virtual Scratch Meeting 7:00 pm
  • Saturday, June 14th
    • 7:00 am Coaches/Officials meeting
    • 8:00 am – 5:00 pm 1000m and 500m races, Paracanoe 200m races
    • 5:30 pm - 7:00 pm: Dinner
  • Sunday, June 15th: 8:00 am - 3:00 pm 500m, Paracanoe 200m race

 

Dr. Theodore “Ted” Houk

In the 1950s and 60s, Ted Houk began designing and building flatwater canoes and kayaks, and flatwater racing became increasingly popular in Seattle due to Ted Houk’s enthusiasm, dedication, boat building knowledge, organization skills, and perseverance.  Dr. Houk had a dream to involve young people of the area in a “little league of water sports” and through competitive paddling develop healthy minds and bodies.  His ultimate goal was to place paddlers on the Olympic team.

In 1969, Dr. Houk obtained the old Aqua Theater at Green Lake from the Seattle Department of Parks and Recreation in which to build and store boats.  With a club space now available, Ted Houk and Ben Dotson founded the Seattle Canoe Club. In 2000 “kayak” was added to the name and from this point on, the club became the Seattle Canoe and Kayak Club, or SCKC.

Dr. Houk also designed sail boats.