While homophobes and their opponents verbally duked it out last Saturday, inside and outside Safeco Field respectively, more positive social visions were enacted four miles to the north, along the Montlake Cut.

Seattle has two annual dates with the rubric “Opening Day”—the start of baseball season (of which, right now, the least said the better) and the start of “boating season,” the first Saturday in May. The latter Opening Day’s been celebrated at least since 1913, as far as anyone can recall.

Since 1970, a rowing regatta’s been part of the festivities. This year, the UW men’s and women’s crews hosted WSU, Oregon State, UCLA, Navy, and an Italian squad.

This Husky alum’s proud to say the Dawgs won all but one of the races in which they were entered. At a time of turmoil and scandal in UW sports (even UW women’s sports!), it was great to see a good ol’ triumph of skill and teamwork.

Right after the races, the Montlake Bridge is raised for three hours for the parade of boats. It might sound like an elitist activity to some of you, and it’s even sponsored by a yacht club; but it’s not. Anybody with access to a power boat of any type can participate. Anyone can watch, for free.

The atmosphere isn’t one of rich people trying to intimidate the rest of us with the size of their “toys,” but of proud hobbyists sharing their love for classic beauty, and honoring our local and timeless connection to the sea, the source of life.

And this year, it was a good excuse to get one’s first sunburn of the season.