50p
CSSRA Day 2: Embracing a New Shell
The big story again today was the weather, but instead of rain, the issue the crews faced was wind. That being said, we learn from our past experiences (there is a well-formed student of history in all of us!) and so when we saw the prediction of high winds for later this afternoon, we decided to get as much of our rowing as possible done in the morning.
As vans arrived at Henley Island, the students, with focus and attention, quickly rigged the boats for the first row. Thanks to Warren Featherstone, our trusty boatman, much of the pre-work was done for us so it was as simple as sticking riggers on the boat and getting on the water.
As the first flight of rowers left the dock ready to fight the building winds with all the grit they could muster, the coaches would experience joy – the joy of rigging our brand new 8+ from Hudson! This shell was purchased with the help of one of the Rowing Club’s endowment funds - the Legacy Boat Fund. The Legacy Fund and its counterparts on the men’s side, the John Queen Boat Fund and the A.C. Carr Boat Fund, have been set up by alumni and parents to help purchase a new boat every year for one of three senior programs. These three endowment funds help keep our rowers in top notch shells so we can be as competitive as possible.
After rigging, all of the girls took a turn in the traditional “St. Catharines christening” of the boat. This involves the all the girls showering the new shell with salt water that had been taken from the finish line of the Brentwood Regatta course in Mill Bay and dutifully transported across the country on our boat trailer. I have never seen a more joyous group of girls than today. They were excited to row the boat and to represent the Brentwood rowers of the past, especially the crew whose name will adorn the boat in coming years.
After our practice rows were finished, crews headed off for lunch and a variety of afternoon events which included (depending on what crew you were in) prep, more rowing, a movie, a trip to Regatta Sport, ice cream at the famous Avondale Dairy found in the beautiful countryside surrounding St. Catharines, and even a bit of hotel downtime.
We ended the night with a wonderful full crew dinner in Niagara Falls, where we will return on Monday to see the thunderous Horseshoe Falls.
The day was full of great energy, enthusiasm, and memories that will continue to be built tomorrow, memories that may well last a lifetime.
Mr. Mark Wismer, Varsity Girls’ Coach
As vans arrived at Henley Island, the students, with focus and attention, quickly rigged the boats for the first row. Thanks to Warren Featherstone, our trusty boatman, much of the pre-work was done for us so it was as simple as sticking riggers on the boat and getting on the water.
As the first flight of rowers left the dock ready to fight the building winds with all the grit they could muster, the coaches would experience joy – the joy of rigging our brand new 8+ from Hudson! This shell was purchased with the help of one of the Rowing Club’s endowment funds - the Legacy Boat Fund. The Legacy Fund and its counterparts on the men’s side, the John Queen Boat Fund and the A.C. Carr Boat Fund, have been set up by alumni and parents to help purchase a new boat every year for one of three senior programs. These three endowment funds help keep our rowers in top notch shells so we can be as competitive as possible.
After rigging, all of the girls took a turn in the traditional “St. Catharines christening” of the boat. This involves the all the girls showering the new shell with salt water that had been taken from the finish line of the Brentwood Regatta course in Mill Bay and dutifully transported across the country on our boat trailer. I have never seen a more joyous group of girls than today. They were excited to row the boat and to represent the Brentwood rowers of the past, especially the crew whose name will adorn the boat in coming years.
After our practice rows were finished, crews headed off for lunch and a variety of afternoon events which included (depending on what crew you were in) prep, more rowing, a movie, a trip to Regatta Sport, ice cream at the famous Avondale Dairy found in the beautiful countryside surrounding St. Catharines, and even a bit of hotel downtime.
We ended the night with a wonderful full crew dinner in Niagara Falls, where we will return on Monday to see the thunderous Horseshoe Falls.
The day was full of great energy, enthusiasm, and memories that will continue to be built tomorrow, memories that may well last a lifetime.
Mr. Mark Wismer, Varsity Girls’ Coach