December Newsletter

Let the Winter Training Begin!

Contents

• High School season wrap-up
• Request for high school program volunteers
• Competitive club results
• A message from Walter Kehm
• Giving Tuesday
• Fundraising oar necklaces
• Winter training
• Guelph Santa Claus Parade 2025—the reindeer row again!
• OAR
• Learn-to-row instructors needed
• Make a difference, join the GRC board!

High School Rowing

High School Rowing: Fall Season Highlights

Our high school fall season featured 8 returning athletes and 13 novices training through September and October afternoons. A small contingent of our experienced rowers raced at the Head of the Welland in small boats, earning strong results with two fourth-place finishes in the Sr Women’s 2x and Mixed Jr 2x.

The following weekend, the team competed at the Head of the Trent, just one day after our varsity athletes raced. All crews performed well, with finishes in the top half of their fields. Our mixed club 4x included novice Keira Meehan joining first-time head racers Aariz Noor Wang and Peter McMorrow, along with Grade 11 athlete Erum Khan. They delivered an impressive 6th-place finish.

Siri Borden and Jack Raso rounded out the travelling group, with entries across the U17 Men’s 1x, Mixed Club 2x, and U19 Women’s 2x.

Our novices gained their first-ever racing experience at the ARC Martha Coffey Frostbite Sprints. Our mixed coxed four took first place. Athletes included Evelyn Sulley, Gandharv Karthik, Jackson Reginato, Johnathan McKee, Keira Meehan, Theo Raine, and Thomas Raine.

The team was coached by Jack Wilhelm, Dean Raso, and Andrew Borden.

High School Rowing Program Growth

Request for Volunteers – High School Program

The Guelph Rowing Club is looking for volunteers to join our High School coaching team next season. This is a great opportunity to give back, mentor youth, and be part of a program that makes a real impact. Commitment is flexible, and training will be provided if needed — a perfect way to easily complete your volunteer requirement for the club.

We’re also seeking a High School Program Lead to help with administrative tasks such as registrations, regatta entries, communications, uniforms, and coach scheduling. This role offers insight into the operations of a competitive rowing program and a chance to contribute meaningfully behind the scenes.

If you’re interested in either role, please contact Joanne Ryks at rowingcommittee@guelphrowing.ca by the end of January. The competitive season runs from April to the end of May.

Masters and Club Fall Update

At the Head of the Welland Five Bridges Classic, David Barker and Gord Barr placed an impressive Third in the men’s masters 2x, while Madison Thomas and Madison Tindall made us all proud with a First Place result in the women’s open 2x!
In the men’s masters 1x, our High School coaches Andrew Borden and Dean Raso took the First and Third, respectively!
A huge congratulations to our competitive club members! 🏆

A message from Walter Kehm

The GRC Board of Directors would like to extend our sincere thanks to Walter Kehm for his significant donation in securities to support our Rebuild Our Fleet campaign. Walter founded the club 25 years ago, and his generosity and continued leadership are an inspiration to all of us.

Giving Tuesday

Together, these contributions move us one step closer to replacing our final two 8s and completing the rebuild of our fleet.

If Walter’s message inspires you and you didn’t have a chance to contribute on Giving Tuesday, our NSTF donation link remains open. Every donation over $10 receives a charitable tax receipt for your 2025 tax year. Every gift, no matter the size, helps move us closer to finishing our fleet rebuild.

Fundraising Oar Necklaces

Looking for a rowing-themed Christmas gift?

Jewellery designer Eric Montgomery—now based in Guelph, but originally living in Port Dalhousie when he created these pieces for the 100th anniversary of the Royal Canadian Henley—has generously donated five necklaces to support our Rebuild Our Fleet fund.

Each necklace features a vintage-style oar pendant in sterling silver or brass, hanging from a durable waterproof latex cord. Prices are $35 for brass and $45 for silver.

A unique, meaningful gift for the rower in your life—and a wonderful way to support the club.

To purchase one, contact Odette

Club Winter Training

Only 5 spots left!

Heated indoor winter training for adult club members
Thanks to the considerable efforts of High School Head Coach Andrew Borden to secure indoor training space, we will be able to offer 12 adult club members heated! erging sessions on Saturday mornings from January 3 to the end of March 2026.
There will be a $75 fee to cover the rental of the space.
To participate, you must be a member in good standing.
To become one of the 12 lucky participants, sign up here.

GRC Reindeer Row Again!

GRC Spreads Holiday Cheer at the Santa Claus Parade!

For the second year in a row, the Guelph Rowing Club proudly joined the Guelph Santa Claus Parade, featuring a festive quad on a trailer with four high school students decked out as reindeer rowing down Norfolk Street! Another five of our high school athletes, also all decked out in reindeer gear, marched in front, proudly carrying our banner.

A big thank you to High school rowers: Keira Meehan, Siri Borden, Sasha Maksym, Erum Khan, Aariz Noor Wang, Jackson Reginato, Peter McMorrow, Eva Palis and Gavin Currie, and also to our Varsity team (in the midst of exams!) dressed as reindeer and team uniforms: Riley Halbert, Darcy Halbert, Robin Gurnsey, Harry Denton, Ella O’Connor, Tessa Beukeboom, Fareshtha Khan.

Our adult members joined in the fun as walkers, drivers, and crew: Nancy Kielar, Henry Kielar, Barbara Collins, Bing Wang, Odette Ziezold, Pat Weir (driver), and Pearl Schachter (riding shotgun).

We were warmly received by the community, and even got a few laughs, including the comment: “I didn’t know reindeer could row!”

A huge thank-you to Pat Weir for all her efforts, and to the Weir Farm for generously lending us their truck and trailer. Extra thanks to Nancy, Henry, and Odette for helping with decorating, undecorating, and loading and unloading the Trillium along with a few other helping hands from club volunteers.

It was a wonderful way to celebrate the season and showcase the spirit of GRC!

Ontario Adventure Rowing

View December OAR Newsletter here.

Learn-to-Row Instructors Needed

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

Join the Guelph Rowing Club Board of Directors

The Guelph Rowing Club is seeking new board members! We’re looking to fill three positions starting April 1. This is your chance to give back, help shape the future of the club, and make a real difference in the rowing community.

Serving on the board offers many benefits:

• Impact: Influence key decisions on programs, facilities, and events.
• Community: Work alongside passionate rowers and volunteers who care about the club.
• Experience: Gain valuable leadership, governance, and organizational skills.
• Connection: Deepen your engagement with the sport and support athletes of all levels.

If you’re interested in helping the club grow and thrive, consider joining the GRC board. For more information or to express interest, contact Michele Richardson, chair of the nominating committee.