September Newsletter

Posted byAdministratorPosted inCompetitive Corner, High School Hot Spot, Member Information, Rec Reminders, Safety

September Newsletter:

Mark Your Calendar

  • October 4th – October Work Party
  • October 4th – Head of the Trent
  • October 11th – Brock Invite Regatta
  • October 25th, 26th – OUA Champs Regatta
  • November 1st, 2nd – Canadian University Rowing Champs Regatta
  • November 3rd – Martha Coffey Frostbite Challenge

New Fleet Additions

We extend our gratitude to the Fleet Committee for their outstanding fundraising efforts over the past year. Achievements were celebrated with the christening of seven new boats added to our boathouse. The members include Gord Barr, Pearl Schachter, Joanne Ryks, Jack Wilhelm, Nancy Kielar, Michele Richardson, and Dave Leger.

  • “Pulling Together” – Walter Kehm – donated his hand crafted wooden Schoenbrod 1X rowing shell to the club
  • Brian Sulley 2.0
  • “Dr. Dave” Leger 2.0
  • Mark Henry 2.0
  • “RiJo”- Joanne Costello
  • Michele Richardson
  • “I’m a 10” – Svend Wortley
  • Liam Brennan

Photos by Mike Atkinson

A Signed “Life Ring” was also presented to honour Mark Henry.  Former UoG rower and alumni who has been a passionate club advocate in rebuilding the club fleet and new club trailer after the accident last fall.

Regatta Sport iTeam Order

Fall is here and winter training is around the corner.This winter, wear your club with pride while you train and pass the time waiting for the docks to go back in. Order your regatta sport items here:

Club Calendar

Check out the calendar!

If you haven’t had a chance to check out the club calendar yet, have a look. It’s under the members tab on the club website.

Highschool Rowing

The GRC high school fall season started early September with three afternoon rows a week and the influx of a group of new faces. Twelve novices from the summer camps program have joined the 8 athletes returning. Experienced crews are starting to prepare for the tour of 5 Bridges and Head of the Trent regattas, while novices build for the Martha Coffey Frostbite challenge in early November.

Thank you to Jack, Dean and Andrew who continue with coaching duties.

Hogtown Heats Rec Regatta

We had 13 GRC members race at the Hogtown Heats in August, including 3 Junior Gryphons. A good time was had by all. There will be another Rec/Novice regatta opportunity: The Martha Coffey Frostbite Sprints (also in Toronto). This regatta will be on November 2nd, 2025. Those interested, please contact Odette.

Canada Summer Jobs at GRC

The Guelph Rowing Club is grateful for support this summer from the Canada Summer Jobs student employment program. This generous funding allowed us to employ more students this year and ultimately provided extra coaching for our various programs. This was a real win-win for all.

Pleasure Craft Operator Card

If anyone is interested in assisting at the club by driving a coach boat, you will need a Pleasure Craft operator card. There are several sites that offer this exam and card.  Here is a Canadian website that will offer you the course online, exam and permanent card for $29.95.

Affordable 100% Canadian Boating License Provider | freecourse.ca

Ontario Adventure Rowing

OAR has exciting touring opportunities to take your rowing to the next level! Touring is a great way to get out on the water and meet new people from across the province.

For further updates regarding OAR subscribe here

Hazard Reminder

As water levels drop during the summer and fall, please make sure you’re familiar with the shallows and marked hazards. A map showing these areas is posted outside the boathouse, have a look before heading out.

A warning buoy has been placed off Hillside Island, do not row between the buoy and Hillside Island, as this area is very shallow. There is also a green warning buoy in front of the 124 Highway Island.

Stay safe and enjoy your rows!

October Work Party

Thank you to all the volunteers who joined our Work Party on Saturday, Sept. 13th. It was a small but very industrious group and we had an enjoyable morning completing the following tasks:

  • Gardens were trimmed and weeded
  • Grass was cut
  • Mezzanine was tidied up for use on Regatta Day
  • Bays were beautifully swept & vacuumed
  • Cables on Apron were marked with high viz tape & trip hazards removed
  • Work Bench was tidied & organized

Please join us for the Fall work party scheduled on October 4th. We’ll be focusing on equipment before we button up for the winter. So please come out for a lovely Fall row and stay a while afterwards to socialize and complete a some much needed jobs.