2023 is a Wrap!

Happy New Year GRC Members

2023 was a great season for the Guelph Rowing Club, let’s review some of the highlights. This year the GRC’s programs were supported by an amazing group of volunteer coaches who together put in an estimated 5500 hours. GRC hosted its annual Learn To Row Regatta, a Mayhem Regatta, a Moonlight Row, and the University of Guelph Invitational Regatta.

Thank Yous

A huge thank you to all of our Program Leads: David Barker – High School Program, Siobhan Crean – Masters, Kurtis Sobkowich – U23/Senior Summer Competitive, Joanne Ryks – Novice and Recreation, Jessica Wilson-Sterling – Learn to Row.

Hans Hansen – A big thank you to Hans Hansen for constructing the engine stands to keep our boat motors in tip-top shape over the winter!

Pat Weir – Thank to Pat Weir for all that she does, most notably helping to install the racing course, and her time helping coach Learn to Row!

Joanne Ryks – Thank you Joanne for the amazing job leading the Novice and Rec Program. As you take a well-deserved step back we hope you enjoy your next adventure!

Volunteer Coaches:

Pearl Schachter
Dave Leger
Joanne Ryks
Julie Horrocks
Jack Whilhem
Pat Weir
Siobhan Crean
David Barker
Alex Glista-Harris
Ethan Steele
Andrew Bordon
Alex McCubbin
Mike Alcorn
Kurtis Sobkowich
Paige Burns
Brian Sulley
Ashley Hosker
Abby Smith
Caelan Weber-Martin
Sequoia Elson
Joel Wilson
Jessica Wilson

Summer Coaches:

Thomas Lacheur
Hallee Woodard

New Roles

The GRC is excited to say that this year we have added a few more roles, and are so grateful that people have generously stepped up to fill them. The saying many hands make light work couldn’t be more true than at the GRC, and we are so thankful for the many helping hands.

Coach Coordinator – David Barker
David has been instrumental in ensuring coaches are up to date on certifications, safety training and know about the conferences and education available. Thank you, David!

Boat Maintenance Captain – Dave Leger
Dave has graciously stepped into this new role to help keep the boats and equipment around GRC in top shape. Thank you, Dave!

Safety Policy Lead – Marianne Frame-Toombs
Marianne has kindly jumped into this new role to help ensure that the GRC has an organized and up-to-date record of paperwork for its coaches. Thank you, Marianne!

Athletes to Recognize

The GRC has an amazing group of athletes from all of our programs. We would like to highlight a few standout accomplishments done by GRC’s members, past and present.

Meghan Harris – A huge congratulations to Meghan Harris for representing Canada for the first time as a member of the Junior National Team and racing at the Can-Am Mex Regatta. Meghan captured gold in the women’s quad and bronze in the women’s double!

Stephen Harris – Stephen competed at the 2023 U23 World Championships and Pan Am Games! He raced the Men’s Lightweight Single and, Men’s Lightweight Double and the Mixed Eight, respectively.

Jenna Babulic – Congratulations Jenna on signing with Monmouth University Rowing. We wish you all the best in this next chapter!

Success of Tax Receipt Campaign

A big thank you to everyone who donated to the End-of-Year Tax Receipt campaign to help us buy a new lightweight double.

10 very generous members donated $4020 to help us achieve our goal!

$100-499
- Alex Glistra, David Barker, Patricia Zulinov, Odette Ziezold
$500-$999 (have a name on the deck)
- Michele Richardson, Pat Weir, Jessica Wilson, Joel Wilson, Fiona McCrea
$1000+ (get to name a blade) highest donation to name the boat.
- Scott Pollard

We have applied to the City of Guelph for funding for half of the boat and will hear back sometime in April. Fingers Crossed! In the meantime, we’re off to a good start!

Staying Connected in the Winter Season

Indoor rowing day is Feb 24, 9 am to noon. Save the date! Join your fellow GRC members and help us row across Canada
- https://www.facebook.com/Coast2CoastIndoorRowingDayinCanada/
- Details to come, stay tuned!
NEW Events in January/February 2024 from Ontario Adventure Rowing
As we are all now well and truly into the new year, we wanted to remind you, your club members and anyone else who you think might be interested, of 2 new events being offered in January and February.

OAR is hosting a FREE, virtual, interactive, safety session to encourage discussion and awareness of how we can all work together to be advocates for safe rowing, at our home clubs, tours or anytime that we’re on the water enjoying this sport that we love.

Barrie Rowing Club is offering 2 sessions for obtaining certification as an Erg Instructor with a Master Level Certified Erg Trainer – opportunities like this don’t come around very often.

For more information please click here, or email Nancy Kielar (nancykielar13@gmail.com)