May Newsletter

Posted byAdministratorPosted inCoach Notes, High School Hot Spot, Learn to Rowers, Member Information, SafetyTags:

Contents:

  • Annual Meeting of Members
  • Fundraising Update
  • Rebuilding Our Fleet Campaign Wind-Down
  • Modified Cold Water Rules
  • Introducing our first three new Summer Coaches
  • Rec and Novice Program Information
  • Pick up your 2026 Season Park Pass
  • RowOn Coaching Certification Changes
  • GRC plays host to the 2026 Ontario Summer Games
  • Spread the word! LTR, Junior Gryphon program registrations now open
  • Learn-to-row instructors needed
  • OAR Ontario Adventure Rowing 2026 Schedule

Annual Meeting – April 23

Annual General Meeting – April 23, 2026

Thank you to all who attended what may well go down as one of the most efficient Annual Meetings in club history!

Farewells and Thanks

We extend our sincere gratitude to two departing board members. Fiona McCrea steps down after a year as President, and Bill Mullin concludes six years of dedicated service as Treasurer — reaching the maximum term for a board member. Both gave generously of their time and expertise, and we’re genuinely grateful.

Welcome to the Incoming Board

We’re pleased to introduce Marian Niculescu as our new Club President. Though based in Toronto, Marian has been a familiar and generous presence in our community for many years. He brings over 20 years of masters and recreational rowing experience, competitive credentials that include gold at the Canadian Masters Regatta and podium finishes at every provincial regatta he’s entered, and international competition across the U.S., Europe, and Australia. A certified NCCP Level 2 coach with experience across Learn-to-Row, Development, Masters, and para-rowing programs, Marian is also a Professional Engineer with over 45 years managing major infrastructure projects. We’re fortunate to have him at the helm.

Henry Kielar moves from the Membership & Registration role into the Treasurer position. Joanne Ryks takes on a dual role covering both Rowing Committee Chair and Membership & Registration. Odette Ziezold, who stepped into the Communications role last fall, is also covering Development until a replacement is found.

2026–27 Board of Directors

Get Involved

The board is always looking for engaged members to join working groups in Site & Boat, Advertising & Social Media, Social & Hospitality, and Volunteer Coordination. If you’re interested, please reach out to any member of the Board — your participation helps the club grow and thrive.

Rebuild-Our-Fleet – Update

At the Annual Meeting, the Rebuild-Our-Fleet committee reported that 14 of the 15 planned boats plus a trailer have been purchased — a mix of 4 repaired race-quality boats, 3 used boats, and 8 new boats, along with supporting equipment, at a total cost of approximately $240,000.

Since that report was submitted, the accounts have been reviewed and reconciled by the board. The campaign funds have now been fully spent, including the remaining balance which went toward a gently used eight.

While the Rebuild-Our-Fleet campaign has officially wound down, the club is actively looking at ways to fund the one remaining boat needed to complete the rebuild. We have also submitted a Trillium Capital Grant application to fund a new truck, with results expected in early July.

A Thank You to Our Rebuild-Our-Fleet Donors

After a year and a half of extraordinary generosity from our members and supporters, the Rebuild-Our-Fleet Campaign has officially come to a close. What you made possible is remarkable: 14 boats and a trailer, have transformed our fleet and will carry our athletes — from learn-to-row novices to competitive masters — for years to come.

This campaign was driven by you. Every donation, large and small, added up to something the club will benefit from for a generation. We are deeply and sincerely grateful.

We’re not quite where we had hoped to land — an eight-plus remains on the wish list — but that doesn’t diminish what was accomplished. The club is in a fundamentally stronger position on the water because of your support, and we won’t stop looking for ways to finish the job.

Thank you.

Modified Cold Water Rules

Modified Cold Water Rules Are Now In Effect

As of April 30, the lake’s temperature has risen to 11°C — we are now in Modified Cold Water Rules.

What that means:

Novice and less experienced rowers (3 years or less experience):

  • Must be accompanied by a motorized safety boat
  • One safety boat covers a maximum of 9 athletes (8+) or up to 4 smaller boats, with total athletes not exceeding 9
  • Shells must remain within 200 metres of the safety boat

Experienced rowers (more than 3 years of recent rowing experience and proficient oarsmanship):

  • May row without a motorized safety boat
  • The entire crew must be comprised of experienced rowers
  • Must be accompanied by another shell of experienced rowers (buddy system)
  • Must stay within the 1,000m buoy and the dam
  • If accompanied by a coach boat, may row out to the 2,000m buoy

Please continue to dress for the conditions — the water is still cold, and layers plus a dry change of clothes are always a good idea.

Here’s to a fantastic 2026 season on the water.

Summer Coaching Team 2026

Summer Coaches 2026

We’re thrilled to introduce the first of our 2026 summer coaching team — more to be announced in June!

Madison Tindall joins as Lead Coach beginning May 9th. A winning competitor, novice coach with the Gryphons, and current graduate student at the University of Waterloo, Madison brings both competitive excellence and coaching experience to the role.

Joining June 1st as Assistant Coaches are Kira Moor and Cedric Pecora. Kira is an OUA silver medalist, Gryphons communication co-ordinator, former competitive and high school coach, and U of G undergraduate student. Cedric is a former Gryphon Varsity Captain, Oarsman of the Year, and Spirit Award winner — a recent U of Guelph graduate now working as a Music Teacher.

The May coaching schedule is now set — you will receive access once you have registered and completed your annual Safety Orientation.

Rec Program Information

Recreational and Novice Programs

There is lots of energy and excitement building in the Rec program this season! We had a work bee in April to do minor repairs, and rigging adjustments to the non-competitive boats. Thank you to Thomas Lacheur for providing guidance, Pearl Schachter for pitch and span training, Pat Weir for answering ALL our questions, Karen Eakins, Leslie Barker, Marianne Frame-Toombs, Jennifer Dougherty, Erica Robinson,  Heather Koostra and Sherri Buchanan for getting the tasks done. We had hoped to look after minor nicks on some shells but it was just too cold in the boathouse to cure the paint. Stay tuned for future work bees. We have a few boats needing more attention, Lloyd LeBlanc is busy putting his expertise into those repairs. Please, check the white board for boats out of service before taking a boat off the rack.

Coaching sessions are set to start Saturday, May 9th. You can find the schedule at the bottom of the Rec Program page on our website https://guelphrowing.ca/programs/recreational/

Safety Orientation
On-site Safety Orientation sessions are underway. All members must complete safety training annually before getting on the water. Once you’re fully registered and paid, you’ll receive a welcome email with links to both the online and in-person training sign-ups. Once you’ve completed your Safety Orientation, you’ll receive access to your Coaching sign-up sheet.

If you haven’t registered yet, now is the time — warm water season is closer than it feels.

Nancy Kielar

Rec and Novice Program Lead

2026 GRCA Passes

Your very cool new blue 2026 GRCA Season Pass card is now ready for pick-up at the park entrance gatehouse.

Row On Coaching Update

Coaching Update

Row Ontario has announced changes to its competitive coaching training program. The previous format of two weekend workshops is being replaced with a blended model of six virtual and in-person sessions. Those who have already completed the first weekend workshop will be accommodated in the transition.

If you’re interested in signing up or have questions, please reach out to David directly. The full Rowing Ontario information sheet is available for details.

David Barker

Coaching Co-ordinator

The Ontario Summer Games Come to Guelph Lake

Ontario Summer Games – We Need Your Help!

The 2026 Ontario Summer Games are coming to Waterloo Region from July 30 to August 2, bringing together up to 4,000 young athletes aged 12 to 18 across 24 sports and the Guelph Rowing Club is right in the middle of it!

We’re hosting the Canoe/Kayak events on our own rowing course, which is exciting news for the club and the community. To make it happen, we’ll need volunteers for the following:

  • Buoy lines — installation two weeks before the event and removal the week after
  • Event days — Saturday August 1 (9am–1pm) and Sunday August 2, including boat drivers

Races will run at 1000m, 500m, and 200m distances.

If you’d like to help, contact Pat Weir at siteandboat@guelphrowing.ca or 519-822-2411. A sign-up sheet will also be posted on the bulletin board at the boathouse.

Experience Summer

Virtual summer or real summer?

watch the ad

Jr. Gryphons Learn-to-Row returns to Guelph Lake this summer — fresh air, real skills, and a reason to put the phone down.

Afternoons 3 days a week for 2 weeks: for ages 14–17

Mornings 5 days for one week: for ages 11–14

Qualified coaches. Water safety focus.

Both programs emphasize physical activity, fun, and water safety, taught by qualified counsellors trained in first aid and Learn-to-Row coaching. And it doesn’t have to end there — graduates can enrol in the Skills Development program for the remainder of the summer, hitting the water 3 days a week to keep building on what they’ve learned.

Introduce a young rower to the sport!

Know someone who’d love it? Spread the word — spots fill up fast!

Details and registration: Details here

Come Try Rowing at GRC — May 23rd!

We know many of you have been asking — mark your calendars! Our Come Try Rowing event is set for Saturday, May 23rd.

There are two ways you can help make it a success:

Spread the word — Think of friends, family, or anyone who’s ever shown a flicker of curiosity about rowing. Come Try Rowing is a fun, low-pressure on-water introduction to the sport, no experience required. It’s a perfect first step.

Volunteer — These events don’t happen without our members. If you’d like to help out on the day, please sign up here.

If you aren’t sure what to sign up for, email Joanne Rykes rowingcommittee@guelphrowing.ca

Adult Learn-to-Row — 2026 Registration Open!

Some sessions are already full.

Know someone who’s been curious about rowing? This is their moment.

Our Adult Learn-to-Row program is a fantastic way to get moving, enjoy the outdoors, and be part of a team — no experience needed. They’ll learn the basics in a friendly, supportive environment with experienced coaches and a group of people all discovering the sport together, out on beautiful Guelph Lake.

Spots are limited — share this with someone who needs a nudge!

Details and registration: Details here

Yes! We Still Need Learn-to-Row Instructors

We’re Recruiting Learn-to-Row Instructors!

Our club entry programs are the most important way we introduce the community to rowing—and help new people become active members of our rowing family. Jessica, our Learn-to-Row Coordinator, is looking for club members who’d like to join the team as Learn-to-Row instructors. We’re known for our warm, welcoming attitude, and this is a great way to share it.

No coaching experience? No problem. The club will train you.

Our LTR courses run in June, with either morning or evening options. Each course includes 8 lessons (10 hours total).

If you’re interested, please contact Jessica Wilson-Sterling at LTR@guelphrowing.ca

Ontario Adventure Rowing

Ontario Adventure Rowing (OAR) is for rowers who want to explore this beautiful province (and beyond) from the water.

We offer inland lake and river tours, long distance races – full and half marathons – and promote coastal rowing

Sign up for the OAR newsletter here.

Full season schedule here.