Race through the Canadian Gulf Islands with Biologists Paulette Bierzychudek & Gary Reiness

July 9 - 15, 2026

Trip Overview

Lewis & Clark has been invited to crew the historic Schooner Zodiac when it participates in the Captain Raynaud International Schooner Race in the Gulf Islands, Canada. The race is all about the fun of seeing the historic schooners racing one another; it’s not highly competitive or cutthroat. The prize is bragging rights.

Feel the wind in your hair on a Two-Masted Gaff Topsail Schooner, when the first mate yells “sailing stations!” You’ll help hoist 7000 square feet of sails while exploring the magnificent waters of the San Juan and Gulf Islands aboard the historic Schooner Zodiac! You’ll have a chance to try out the Zodiac’s kayaks or grab the binoculars to see a passing orca. Share stories from your time at Lewis & Clark or compare notes from the day’s adventures while enjoying a delicious meal as the sun sets over the Olympic Mountains.

Highlights

• Great care has been taken to restore the Schooner Zodiac to the way she looked when first commissioned; varnished mahogany, oak and teak are focal points throughout her main salon and galley.
• Enjoy sharing a journey beloved professors, Biologists Paulette Bierzychudek & Gary Reiness.
• Participate as a member of the Schooner Team racing through the Canadian Gulf Islands.
• Magnificent orca whales live in the San Juan Islands year round; it is the best place in the world to see them. You can also view humpbacks, minkes and even gray whales.
• While the crew of the Schooner Zodiac can make no guarantees about the weather, they always endeavor to give passengers a fun filled and unforgettable experience.
• Great food, fun, fellowship and adventure! Journey with curios-minded Lewis & Clark alumni and friends.

Tentative 6 Night/ 7 Day Itinerary

Subject to change

• Day 0: July 8th - Most participants will arrive to Bellingham the evening before departure. There are a variety of accommodations in the area. An optional non-hosted dinner will be held at 6:30 pm, on 7/8 so participants can meet their teammates.
• Day 1: July 9th - Participants will board the Zodiac Schooner and settle in. Bellingham to Canadian waters. Learn about sailing stations and the workings of the ship and discuss the flora and fauna of the islands.
• Day 2: July 10th - Race Leg 1, Bedwell Harbour to Otter Cove, North Pender Island
• Day 3: July 11th - Race Leg 2, Otter Cove to Montague Harbour, Galiano Island. The Schooner Zodiac will host an all-crews barbecue among all the ships racing.
• Day 4: July 12th - Race Leg 3, Montague Harbour to Ruxton Passage (between DeCourcy and Ruxton Islands)
• Day 5: July 13th - Ruxton Passage to James Bay or Narvaez Bay
• Day 6: July 14th - James Bay or Narvaez Bay to Friday Harbor. Hopefully visit UW Marine Labs in Friday Harbor).
• Day 7: July 15th - Return to Bellingham about 3:00pm.

Accommodations

The Schooner Zodiac, a 160 foot long, two-masted gaff topsail schooner, originally launched in 1924. While aboard, passengers stay in berths (48 inch bunks) or private staterooms and socialize in common areas for meals and other gatherings. The luggage you bring must be stored in your berth area or stateroom. The Zodiac is heated and well ventilated.

Being a vintage craft, guests share close quarters on the lower deck. On the top deck guests enjoy the fresh air, starry skies and more open spaces. The guests, plus the crew share three restrooms.

Standard berths are 48 inch bunks in the ship’s salon and feature a heavy curtain. There are Upper bunks and Lower bunks. There are two-person and three-person simple style cabins on the Zodiac. The ship’s cabins contain multiple bunks, a sink, a mirror and a door for privacy. One must be able to negotiate stairs and narrow walkways in order to navigate the living areas on the Schooner Zodiac.

Please take the virtual tour here.

Costs:

• Upper Single Bunk: $2,595
• Lower Single Bunk: $2,995
• 2-Person Cabin: $5,295 (total for both)
• 2-Person Plus Cabin: $5,995 (total for all three)*

*This cabin has three bunks, but one is rather small.

• Note: It is customary for participants to tip the Zodiac Crew. Participants should plan on a tip of $100 - $150 per person. This will be collected by the Team Leader.

Registration

Note: All participants must provide passport information by May 1, 2026 and be legally able to enter Canada.

1) Please review the instructions below and go here.

2) Put in the total cost of the Bunk/Cabin you are purchasing. See prices above ($2,595, $2,995, $5,295, $5,995).

2) Indicate “Schooner Race”, as your trip of interest.

3) List your name for a Bunk, or all names of passengers sharing a Cabin.

4) After you do that, payment options will appear at the bottom of the form. You may pay using a credit card, Paypal, or Venmo. If you use ACH to transfer funds from your bank account you will be saving Lewis & Clark the credit card fee. Thank you!

Included Services

• 6 nights/ and 7 days aboard the Schooner Zodiac.
• While aboard the Schooner Zodiac, all meals and snacks are prepared by the ship’s professional chef using the freshest Northwest ingredients.
• Use of kayaks and sailing dinghy.
• Shore excursions to state parks and quaint island towns.
• Participation in Race activities.

Not Included

• Roundtrip flights and transportation from home city to Bellingham, WA
• Hotel accommodations and dinner on Tuesday, July 8, 2026 (optional)
• $100 to $150 per person Tip for Zodiac Crew.
• Individual Travel and/or Medical Insurance.
• Any items of a personal nature.

Questions?

Andrew McPheeters, Associate Vice President for Community Education & Travel Programs mcpheete@lclark.edu

Team Leader

Ginger Moshofsky ’83 has sailed the Zodiac Schooner on seven voyages. Ginger is a veteran LC Travel program Coordinator coordinating trips to the San Juan Islands and Internationally.

Faculty Leaders

Biologists Paulette Bierzychudek & Gary Reiness are both retired Lewis & Clark professors. They have a lot of experience hiking and biking in the San Juan Island region. We will certainly have much to talk about as we encounter the flora and fauna of the islands.