Opening Day features crew races, parade

The official opening of boating season is today, a reminder that life next to all this water can be fun.

Head over to the Montlake Cut to watch the Windermere Cup crew races and the yacht parade. (But don't forget: The Montlake Bridge is closed from 9:40 a.m. to 3:15 p.m.; see the map at left for more information).

Check out www.seattletimes.com/traveloutdoors or www.seattleyachtclub.org for Opening Day details.

And don't forget the Seattle Maritime Festival.

Free one-hour boat tours of the Port depart today at 11:30 a.m., 1, 2:30 and 4 p.m., with boarding half an hour before each departure. There is a limit of 150 guests per tour. Stop by Odyssey, the Maritime Discovery Center, at Pier 66 to pick up your ticket. There is a limit of four tickets per adult, and space will be limited.

Watch for the Tugboat Race Championships from 12:30 to 3:30 p.m. from Pier 86 to Pier 66; a fireboat display at 12:30 p.m.; WorkBoat Parade at 12:30 p.m.; and Coast Guard air-sea rescue at 1:20 p.m., all in the vicinity of Bell Harbor Marina/Pier 66 at 2203 Alaskan Way. For more information, see www.portseattle.org/news/events/maritime_2006.shtml.