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UW to Host New Zealand and Indiana at the 39th Annual Windermere Cup
On Saturday, May 3, the Windermere Cup will make its highly anticipated return to the Montlake Cut for its 39th year, bringing with it all the speed, pageantry, and community spirit Seattle has come to love.
The Windermere Cup began in 1987 when Windermere Real Estate founder John Jacobi partnered with the University of Washington and the Seattle Yacht Club to expand the crew races held annually on the Opening Day of Boating Season. The vision was simple but bold: bring the best rowing talent in the world to compete against UW’s elite program—and spotlight the Montlake Cut as a premier international racing venue.
39 years later, the Windermere Cup remains a cornerstone of Seattle’s Opening Day festivities—welcoming top international crews, celebrating the strength of community, and honoring a long-standing partnership between Windermere, UW, and the Seattle Yacht Club.
Windermere Cup 2025
Returning champions and first-time challengers come together at this year’s Windermere Cup, as the University of Washington welcomes the New Zealand National Team and Indiana University to the Montlake Cut.
Making their long-awaited return to the Cut, the New Zealand National Team brings their men’s and women’s crews back to Seattle for the first time in a decade. With past appearances in 1989, 1999, and 2015, New Zealand has a strong history at the Windermere Cup, including a first-place finish by the men’s crew in their last outing. Ten years later, they’re back—faster, stronger, and ready to take on the Huskies once again.
Making their Montlake debut is Indiana University, whose women’s crew will compete in the Windermere Cup for the first time this year. A rising force in collegiate rowing, the Hoosiers continue the tradition of bringing top NCAA programs to the Cut to face off against the University of Washington—one of the most dominant teams in the sport.
As always, the Windermere Cup is free and open to the public, with thousands of spectators lining both sides of the Montlake Cut to cheer on the athletes. Races begin at 10:15 AM, with the featured Windermere Cup races at 11:30 AM and 11:45 AM. The Opening Day Boat Parade, put on by the Seattle Yacht Club, begins promptly at noon, signaled by the ceremonial raising of the Montlake Bridge and a traditional cannon blast. An awards ceremony will follow at 12:30 PM on the north side of the Cut.
Race-day festivities on the shore include food vendors, a build-a-boat station, a bouncy house, a photo booth, and a chance to meet the inspiring team behind Pink Ribbon Row organization.
Kick Off the Weekend with Windermere’s Party on the Cut!
The celebration kicks off the night before with the seventh annual Party on the Cut, taking place Friday, May 2, from 6:00 to 10:00 PM at the NE corner of Montlake Cut near the UW Waterfront Activity Center. This 21+ event features food trucks, yard games, a beer tent, and live music from Queen Mother and Nite Wave. Attendees will also get a sneak peek of Saturday’s action with the Twilight Sprints, a short-course race through the Cut featuring the Windermere Cup competitors.
Tickets can be purchased here for $35 or at the door for $45, and all proceeds will benefit the Windermere Foundation and Seattle JazzED, a local nonprofit making music education more accessible for Seattle-area youth.
For more information and a full schedule of events, visit windermerecup.com and follow Windermere Cup on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.
See you on the Cut!
Spreading Holiday Cheer this Season
Our Windermere offices really love the holiday season. It’s a time when they can get together to collect food, host holiday events, and raise money to help those in need in their communities. From putting together Thanksgiving meals, to hosting food drives and auctions, our agents really get into the spirit of giving.
Embracing the Spirit of Giving
The holiday season seems to bring out the best in people. And at Windermere, when our offices see a need, they act on it.
Supporting programs that help low-income and homeless families for over 25 years.
For the past 25 years, the Windermere Foundation has donated a portion of the proceeds from every home purchased or sold through Windermere towards supporting low-income and homeless families in our communities.
‘Tis the Season of Giving at Windermere
Some of the best gifts received are the ones least expected. Across the country we’re seeing stories about generous individuals giving anonymously to help brighten the holidays for those in need – like paying off the balances of layaway bills or paying for a family’s extended stay at a motel so that they won’t end up in the streets. These acts of kindness and giving are truly inspiring.
Warm Toes and Warm Hearts
On November 16, attendees from selected Spokane area schools, Anna Ogden Hall, a women’s shelter, and Family Promise, a homeless transition program, were able to select boots at the Windermere Annual Boots & Gloves event.
October office events for charity and Foundation fundraising
Summer is officially over, but the season of giving is a year-round commitment for Windermere offices throughout our network. Here are some of the Windermere Foundation events going on during the month of October:
Another Year of Making Wishes Come True
On Friday, October 4, Windermere’s Redding office will host its second annual fashion show and fundraiser at WinRiver Casino. The net proceeds raised will go to the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Northeastern California and Northern Nevada, and the Alyssa Araiza Wings of Angels Organization in Redding, CA.
Windermere Kids: Raising money for afterschool programs
On March 3, the Windermere Foundation and the YMCA will participate in the annual Husky Hoops free-throw fundraiser.
Windermere Redding, Making Wishes Come True
On Friday, October 5, Windermere’s Redding office will host its first annual Fashion Show and Fundraiser at the WinRiver Casino. The net proceeds raised will go to the local Make-A-Wish and Wings of Angels Foundations. Funds will be used to raise awareness about cancer and other illnesses, as well as to celebrate the strength of the area’s young survivors.
