ORILLIA ROWING CLUB
ARCHIVE NEWS AND EVENTS

The Orillia Rowing Club held the 2004 year end dinner
and the Judith Gaudaur-Savage Memorial Award presentation on
Friday, November 5th at Kelsey's Restaurant in Orillia

2004

Saturday, October 2

The Orillia Rowing Club attended the Head OF THE TRENT REGATTA held on the Otonabee River and Trent Canal in Peterborough on Saturday, October 2. The 4.8 km. course is utilized by Trent University crews and the Peterborough Rowing Club as home waters but for this timed head race University Teams as well as City and Regional Clubs from all over Ontario, Quebec, B.C. some Eastern Provinces and Northern United States participated.
This was an extremely active regatta in the middle of Trent University's Homecoming celebrations. The downpour of rain mid-morning dampened the spirits of many crews as they were forced to give up their row due to the cold and wet conditions. For the Orillia Club as with many others this is the final regatta of the season and it is disheartening not to be able to race after the hard work and commitment of training.
Barb Pidgen in the Womens Masters single event, rowing the Pidgen shell had a strong race with a time of 22:27 coming 6th out of 13 competitors.
The Recreational Eight in a rented Peterborough boat was rowed by Gerry van Amelsvoort, Barb Davidson, Heather Kerslake, Laurie Herd, Sarah Houlden, Al Smale, Lawrence Boyer, Doug Herd and coxie Jurgen from P.R.C. with a finish time of 19:09 placing 6th out of 14 crews.
Masters Men Bob Wink and Brad Ingleton rowing Gold Barr braved the wet conditions and finished 4th out of 6 (15 entered) with a time of 19:09 while Masters Women Patti Freeman and Diane Carter finished in 21:25 for 4th place out of 9 with 11 entered.
The Club Coxed Four Womens crew of Tena Jackson, Rhonda Lauer, Jackie Wink, Vera Cameron-van Amelsvoort and coxie Kirsten Cameron were not able to compete. Only 13 boats out of the 28 entered finished this race.
*The Recreational Coxed Four, rowing the Jim Wilson Chevrolet Ashleigh, of Kathy Hunt, Heather Kerslake, Barb Davidson, Sarah Houlden and coxie Tena Jackson placed 8th out of 11 of 14 entered comprised of all mens or mixed crews, with a time of 17:53; a great first place finish time for the womens only crew.*
The Orillia Rowing Club is proud to have 6 club members who are involved with rowing at the University level. Cait Beresford, one of ORC's Boathouse assistants for '04 is in her 3rd year at the University of Western Ontario and is coaching a novice womens crew while Laura Pidgen in 2nd year at U of WO is rowing for a second year in the varsity women's eight. Her crew was unable to complete the Head of the Trent race due to the cold and wet conditions.
Sarah Cameron a 2nd year varsity rower for MacMaster University has been off the roster due to an elbow dislocation injury but hopes to be back in the eight by month's end to compete in the Ontario University Championships to be held in London, Ontario.
Margot Herd, ORC's '04 Boathouse Manager is the only 1st year rowing varsity for Ottawa University. Herd rows 3 seat in a coxed four and her crew placed 8th of 9 out of 11 entered at Trent with a finish time of 21:42.
Sarah Gilchrist a 1st year ORC member rows in the Womens Novice eight for Queens University. Her crew placed 9th out of 17 with a time of 16:18 on the shortened Trent course.
Brad Cutler also a 1st year rower with ORC rows for Trent University in the heavy weight Men's eight.

Great work all of you!

September 12

The Orillia Rowing Club attended the Georgian Bay Invitational Regatta in Midland on Little Lake Sunday September 12, 2004. The weather was warm and turned sunny with a rower's dream of calm water throughout on the 1200metre course.Ten ORC members, participating in eight of 12 events brought home medals in three of them and second place in four.
In the Doubles category rowing Double Trouble, junior women's crews of Stephanie Duquette and Jen Cahill and Elizabeth Carter and Cahill each placed 2nd while junior men Brady Peacock and Tim Herd rowed in to 5th place against the senior teams.
Rowing a Barrie Double in the mixed event master rowers Rob Matthews(Barrie RC) and Diane Carter (Orillia RC) finished 1st with a time of 3:59:95.
In the coxed four event rowing the Jim Wilson Chevrolet "Ashleigh" the women's crew of Elizabeth Carter, Duquette, Diane Carter, Cahill and coxie Kathy Hunt finished 2nd by a seat length behind first, while the men's crew of Peacock, Tim Herd, Lawrence Boyer, Doug Herd and coxie Duquette rowed in to 5th place.
The mixed four crew of Boyer, Laurie Herd, Hunt, Doug Herd and coxie Duquette raced in to first place with a time of 4:27:10.
Rowing a Barrie eight in a composite men's crew of Sudbury, Dons, Collingwood and Orillia with ORC members Boyer and Doug Herd finished 2nd.
Rowing Barrie's new racing eight the composite Barrie/Orillia mixed team of Elaine Bursztyn, Debbie Decaire, Kathy Hunt, Laurie Herd, Lawrence Boyer, Doug Herd, Don McLeish and Rob Matthews raced in for 1st place with a time of 4:11:62.
In the jar race of eight (rowers picked at random) Elizabeth Carter and Cahill rowing the Dons shell and placed 1st with the best time of the day of 3:43:69. Tm Herd rowed in the Georgian Bay eight to 2nd place and Duquette rowed in the Barrie eight to 3rd place.
Well done ORC crews and friends! Thank you to all involved for a fun regatta and a great day!

September 18

The Orillia Rowing Club had 2 doubles crews entered in the Head of the Thames a 5.2 head race held in London, Ontario Sept. 18.
Junior Women Aden Beresford and Sarah Pidgen rowing Gold Barr finished 5th out of 12 with a time of 23:31 while Masters Women Vera Cameron-van Amelsvoort and Barb Pidgen finished 2nd in a field of 15 with a time of 21:16.
The Western Invitational held on Fanshawe Lake in London on Sept. 19 consists of a 2 part format; a 4.0 km. head race and a 400 m. sprint with finish placements based on the combination of these 2 results.
Master Women Vera Cameron-van Amelsvoort and Barb Pidgen rowing Gold Barr completed the 4.0 km. head race in 17:53 minutes and the 400m. sprint in 1:29 with an overall placement of 2nd out of 7. This crew was the only masters crew entered in this race and so rowed against 6 varsity university crews.
Well done Vera and Barb on such an accomplishment!

The Ontario Summer Games

The Ontario Summer Games venue for rowing was Fanshaw Lake in London, Ontario home to U of Western Ontario's Varsity rowing and the National team's alternate training site. August 21st dawned bright but chilly with a stiff breeze that grew as the Regatta played out. The 2000 metre course was cut down by mid-afternoon to a 750 m sprint run as winds picked up producing white capped water on the first 1250.
The North Central Rowing team, made up of students from Durham, Barrie, Orillia, and Midland who rowed a super finish of fifth overall in a competition pitted against students from much older well established clubs and districts with strong rowing heritage. The Barrie RC contributed a coxed four, the Sexton quad, a pair and their super new racing eight while Orillia offered the Jim Wilson Chevrolet "Ashleigh"coxed four, the Gold Barr double and the Orillia Club trailer for use. The Pidgen single was rowed as well.
The womens crew entered 8 races in all categories in both the under 17 and under 19 divisions and finished a close fifth to fourth overall. The womens under 19 coxed four won a bronze medal crewed by Barrie Club members. Excellent work North Central and ORC members Jen Cahill, Sarah Pidgen, Kirsten Cameron, Elizabeth Carter, Jessica Oliver and coach Barb Pidgen.
The mens crew entered 7 races in all but the single category, in both the under 17 and under 19 divisions to finish fifth in Ontario. ORC members Tim Herd as stroke seat with Steph Duquette as coxie in the under 17 men's coxed four race, rowing Ashleigh to finish a close fourth. Men's coach Margot Herd was pleased with the team effort especially when most of the men's crew raced 3 times or more in the one day regatta.
This regatta was described by RowOntario officials as a development regatta. With continued support, interest and growth from our community and beyond we can anticipate stronger athletes and results in the future. Our students had a great time at these provincial games and were a dedicated and positive hardworking crew. The next Ontario Summer Games in 2006 will be held in Ottawa. Watch for some of these names in the future as you follow the sport of Rowing. Go North Central! Go Orillia! Go ORC!

Royal Canadian Henley Regatta

The Orillia Rowing club was proud to have thirteen entries including five masters races at the prestige's Royal Canadian Henley Regatta in St. Catharines recently. Our small club competed against older well established clubs from across Canada and around the world. ORC officials are happy to announce that one Double crew made it to the semi finals and 2 masters Doubles raced to the finals.
In the Womens Junior B single race Sarah Pidgen rowed to 5th place in the Pidgen single, while Steph Duquette and Jen Cahill rowed Double Trouble to 5th place. Pidgen and Kirsten Cameron rowed Gold Barr to finish 3rd in their heat and raced to 4th place in the semi-finals, a first for our club at this international regatta.
Rowing Kinsmen in the quadruple sculls Pidgen, Elizabeth Carter, Cameron, and Cahill finished third in their heat.
In the Womens Junior event Lynsi Henrickson, Alli Robinson, Jess Oliver and Aiden Beresford rowed Kinsmen quad and finished fifth in their heat.
Senior B Women Cait Beresford, Sarah Gilchrist, Erin MacMillan and Sarah Cameron rowed a borrowed St. Catharines straight four to a 4th place finish in their heat while Cameron and Beresford rowed Gold Barr to 6th place.
Senior B Men David Dixon and Brad Cutler raced Double Trouble to 5th place in their heat.
In the Masters events, Womens C competitor Barb Pidgen rowed her single to 3rd place. while Patti Freeman and Diane Carter came 2nd in their heat and finalled to fifth spot. Vera Cameron-van Amelsvoort and Pidgen race Gold Barr to finish 3rd in their heat and 4th overall.
In the coxed four event rowing the Jim Wilson Chevrolet Ashleigh vanAmelsvoort, Kathy Hunt, Rhonda Lauer, Tena Jackson and coxie Kirsten Cameron rowed to a 4th place heat finish.
Bob Wink and Brad Ingleton rowed Gold Barr to a third.
Well done Orillia crews, those 5:30 a.m. rows are paying off!

RowOntario Championships

The Orillia Rowing Club entered 7 crews at the RowOntario Championships held recently in Welland,Ontario. This is a highly competitive regatta and club officials are pleased to report that 4 crews finished their heats in 3rd place or better with the quad and the coxed four rowing in the finals.
In the Womens Junior B single category, rowing the Pidgen single, Sarah Pidgen rowed hard to finish 3rd while in the double Pidgen and Kirsten Cameron rowed the 2000 metre course in Gold Barr to a 2nd place finish. Rowing Kinsmen in the Women's Jr B quad event Pidgen, Elizabeth Carter, Cameron and Jen Cahill rowed to 3rd in their heat and finalled to 6th place.
Junior Women Jess Oliver, Alli Robinson, Carter and Cahill with coxswain Cameron rowed the Jim Wilson Chevrolet Ashleigh and rowed to 6th place.
Senior B Women rowing the coxed four event in Ashleigh, of Oliver, Sarah Gilchrist, Erin MacMillan, Sarah Cameron and coxie Pidgen finished 2nd in their heat and finalled to 5th place.
In the Senior B Men's category rowing Double Trouble David Dixon and Brad Cutler finished 6th while in the coxed four event Dixon, Scott Dixon, Tim Herd and Cutler with coxie Kirsten Cameron rowed Ashleigh to 6th place.

GREAT WORK ORC CREWS!!



River Reflections Regatta Results
Posted August 18, 2003

The Orillia Rowing Club attended the River Reflections Regatta on the Muskoka River in Bracebridge on July 27, 2003. This is a five kilometer head race where the boats race against the clock. Launch time was 45 minutes prior to race time. Each boat had to go up the course and then race back.

The route on the Muskoka River is very scenic but crews had to be on the constant watch for river traffic, overhanging trees, docks, boathouses and for oncoming racing boats.

The Orillia Rowing Club was able to meet this challenging course garnering 1st and 2nd fastest times of the 34 boats entered.

Rowing the racing double (2X) Gold Barr, Brad Ingleton and Mike Vickers had the fastest finish time of 19:09.

In Ashleigh, the mens coxed four event (4+) were Doug Herd, Lawrence Boyer, Don Clune and Ron Pidgen with coxswain Margot Herd rowing with 2nd fastest time of the day at 20:28.

Young rowers Aden Beresford and Sarah Pidgen finished with a time of 24:13 rowing hard in the double (2X), Double trouble

Inter-Club Regatta
Posted August 13, 2003

The Orillia Rowing Club is having an Intra Regatta and Pot Luck B.B.Q. on Wednesday, August 20th at 618 High Street. This will also be a chance to say farewell to our Boathouse Manager for the season. Britany will be returning to Acadia University.

The race course will be on Lake Simcoe with crews being drawn at random. There is sign up sheet at the boathouse to help de-rig and load boats, between 4:30 - 5:30 p.m. and to list what pot luck items you wish to bring. B.B.Q. items will be supplied. Races start between 6:00 - 6:30 p.m. with the B.B.Q. to follow.

Fun Night 
August 10, 2003

The Orillia Rowing Club is having a fun night on Tuesday, August the 12th from 7:00 - 8:30 p.m. at the boathouse. This is a chance to participate in rowing games and races in a non-competitve format. Crews will be chosen at random and the crew with the most points wins wacky prizes! This is a chance to work on rowing skills and getting to know other members while having a whole lot of fun!

RowOntario Masters' Championships
July 13, 2003

The Orillia Rowing Club entered a team of sixteen rowers (eight men and eight women) in nine events of the RowOntario Masters' Championship held in Welland, Ontario, Sunday, July 13th. The crews brought home medals in six of the nine events in which they competed, highlighted by the gold medals won by the men's double and the mixed quad.

Rowing in "Kinsmen", Diane Carter, Patti Freeman, Mike Vickers, and Bob Wink had the fastest time,3:25:44, of all teams in all of the 44 events. Wink and Vickers had earlier won their doubles race rowing "Gold Barr" the 1000 metres in 3:42:68.

Silver medal winners included women's double crew Kathy Hunt and Heather Kerslake rowing "Double Trouble", and men's coxed four in the Jim Wilson Chevrolet "Ashleigh", Doug Herd (stroke seat), Lawrence Boyer, Don Clune, Ron Pidgen and coxie Barb Pidgen.

Bronze medallists were women's doubles Diane Carter and Patti Freeman, and men's quad with Doug Moore, Don Clune, Bob Wink and Mike Vickers.

Rowing strongly in other events were Tena Jackson, Rhonda Lauer, Barb Pidgen, and Jackie Wink. Brad Ingleton could not attend due to family medical problems.

Rowing is a lifelong activity with participants in this regatta ranging in age from 28 to 76. Athletes are assigned time handicaps based on the average age of the crew in a boat.

Congratulations to the Orillia Rowing Club Masters for an outstanding performance.

Watch for more results of ORC attended events including the River 

Reflections Regatta in Bracebridge, the Regatta of the Americas Masters Regatta in Welland and the Royal Canadian Henley in St. Catharines.


C.O.R.A. Championship Results
July 12, 2003

The Orillia Rowing Club attended the Central Ontario Rowing Association (C.O.R.A.) Championships on the Henley course in St. Catharines July 12th. There were six Orillia crews participating rowing against many other clubs from Hamilton, Orangeville, Kitchener, Toronto, New York, St. Catharines, Welland, Guelph, Tillsonburg and London.

The water was calm but the weather was very wet and cold.

Rowing in Double Trouble in the under 17 women's double were Aden Beresford (stroke) and Sarah Pidgen (bow). These girls rowed hard and came fifth narrowly missing Pidgen fourth place.

In the senior women's coxed four rowing the Jim Wilson Chevrolet Ashleigh were Brianna Salmon (stroke), Laura Pidgen, Rebecca Rumsey, and Cait Beresford with Sarah as coxie. This crew rowed hard for a sixth place finish.

The men's master coxed four race was completed by Doug Herd (stroke), Lawrence Boyer, Don Clune, and Ron Pidgen with coxie Rebecca Rumsey. This crew rowed well to place second for a silver medal finish.

Rowing the Kinsmen quad in the under 17 women's category were Jen Cahill (stroke), Tyhme Thompson, Elizabeth Carter and Sarah Pidgen (bow). This young crew rowed well to come in to 5th place.

In the senior men's quad, rowing Kinsmen were Doug Herd (stroke), Lawrence Boyer, Doug Moore, and Mike Vickers (bow) rowing the 2000m course against stiff competition to come in eighth.

The senior women's quad race with Brianna Salmon (stroke), Laura Pidgen, Rebecca Rumsey and Caitlin Beresford (bow) was a hard row with a fifth place finish.

Great work Orilla crews. Watch for more results to come of the RowOntario Masters Regatta held July 13th in Welland.


CORA Results
June 28, 2003

The Orillia Rowing Club attended a qualifying regatta at the Bayside Rowing club (Toronto) sponsored by the Central Ontario Rowing association on June 28th. Clubs from welland, London, toronto, Orillia and elsewhere participated.

Rowing in the Jim Wilson Chevrolet "Ashleigh" club masters Doug Herd ( stroke seat), Lawrence Boyer, Don Clune and Ron Pidgen with coxie Sarah Pidgen finished 5th while rowing outside of their division against men's senior crews.

In the women's junior race rowing the Kinsmen Quad were Laura Pidgen (stroke seat), Sarah Pidgen, Kirsten Cameron, and Margot Herd (bow). It was a close race with a fifth place finish.

Rowing in the senior women's coxed four in "Ashleigh: were Brianna Salmon (stroke), Laura Pidgen, Sarah Cameron and Rebecca Rumsey with coxswain Sarah Pidgen. This crew rowed hard to finish fourth.


Goodbye to Winter Social

The Orillia Rowing Club is saying "Goodbye to Winter" and celebrating with a party on Sunday, March 30th from 3:00 - 5:00 p.m. Club members are invited to come to Couchiching Beach Park for games and races suitable for all family members. An Island Theme potluck dinner will follow at 220 John Street. Please call Laurie at 326-7023 with numbers planning to attend.


2003 Registration Dates Announced

MEMBER REGISTRATION NIGHTS FOR 2003 will take place on TUESDAY APRIL 15 AND WEDNESDAY APRIL 30 from 6:30 - 8:30PM at the BARNFIELD PT. REC. CENTRE, in the UPSTAIRS viewing area. Registration is for all NEW, PROSPECTIVE and RETURNING members. Information displays and volunteers will be on hand to assist members of the general public with questions.

If you would like a copy of the club registration package in advance, please phone (705) 326-3519 and follow the outgoing message instructions.


Ingleton Places Third at CIRC
Posted February 12, 2003

Brad Ingleton attended the Canadian Indoor Rowing Championships on Sunday February 2nd. This all day event was held at the Atrium Level of the CBC building in Toronto with persons in all age categories representing clubs from all over the province.

Concept II Ergometers were "raced" and set up with wide screen monitors, one to every 3 racers for placing and time information with immediate results. There are no heats in this format. It is a one race challenge per category. The ergometers are sold off at the end of the race day.

Brad did the Orillia Rowing Club proud with a 3rd place finish out of a field of 14 in the Mens Masters 30 - 39 years group. He completed the 2000 metre race in 6:45 a time that he had set at the low end of his own personal challenge. Great work Brad!


Club Purchases 'Double Trouble' from Havergal College
Posted February 2, 2003

If you were a member of the club in 2002 you can certainly appreciate the fact that there was a great deal of demand to train and race in the club’s only racing pair/double, ‘Gold Barr.’

In order to accommodate this growing demand, the club has purchased a 1988 Kaschper lightweight convertible pair/double from Havergal College.

Havergal, a private school for girls located in Toronto, has aptly named the boat ‘Double Trouble’. The boat appears to be in very good condition, seeing only limited use in the last few years due to Havergal’s growing emphasis on competitive sweep rowing in coxed four crews.

The board of directors is confident that ‘Double Trouble’ will facilitate the training needs of the club’s lightweight rowers and enable greater participation at recreational regattas in 2003.


Results from Head of the Trent
Posted October 11, 2002

Congratulations to Brad Ingleton and Bob Wink for a 3rd place finish at the Head of the Trent in the men's Masters Double division. Their time was 19:20 for the 4.7 km distance.


Call for Nominations to Board of Directors
Posted September 21, 2002

The Orillia Rowing Club Annual General Meeting will be held on Saturday, October 19 at the boat house. Some amendements to the club's constitution will be considered, and elections of officers to the executive will take place.

Every ORC member currently in good standing can expect to have received a mailing concerning this election by September 30.

With the successful adoption of the proposed constitutional amendments, several positions on the executive will come available for the 2003 rowing season.

For more information about the roles & repsonsibilities of positions on the executive, please follow this link.


ORC TOPS at Tops 'n' Bottoms
Posted August 17, 2002

The Orillia Rowing Club attended the annual recreational Tops & Bottoms Regatta hosted by the Don Rowing Club on the Credit River on Saturday August 17th.

The weather cooperated on this 800 metre course with a quick thunder shower taking place conveniently during the lunch break.

In the Bantam division, novice rowers 11 to 14 years of age, our club was nicely represented.

Tim Herd and Mark Kelly rowed the club's Gold Barr double racing shell with a medal finish time of 3:40.

In the coxed four category rowing in Jim Wilson Chevrolet's "Ashleigh" Bantam girls Jen Cahill, Tyhme Thompson, Shannon from the Dons and Sarah Pidgen  with coxswain Tim Herd won their heat with a time of 3:46.

Rowing the mixed double category in the Gold Barr, Mother and Daughter crew Barb Pidgen and Sarah Pidgen were first in their heat with a time of 4:22. Also rowing Gold Barr were mixed double crew Barb Pidgen and Ron Pidgen racing hard for second place.

In the Women's coxed four category Barb Pidgen, Kathy Hunt, Sarah Houlden, Rebecca Rumsey with coxswain Sarah Pidgen won their heat with a time of 3:19 rowing in Ashleigh.

Also rowing in Ashleigh were the day's medal winners of crew Rhonda Lauer, Tena Jackson, Sally Ritcey, Kristi Cole with coxswain Sarah Pidgen rowing an incredible race with a time of 2:59.

In the Men's double rowing in Gold Barr, Doug Herd and Jeff Cole raced a close second,narrowly missing the medal with a time of 2:58.

The Men's coxed four crew of Doug Herd, Lawrence Boyer, Doug Moore, Ron Pidgen with coxswain Sarah Pidgen rowed hard, up against stiff competition from Island Lake to come in second with a time of 2:47.

With borrowed eights from the Don Rowing Club our club members Kathy Hunt, Sarah Houlden, Rebecca Rumsey and Barb Pidgen rowed with the Scullers Club from Belleville. This composite crew came first in their heat and second overall.

In the mixed eight category our club brought home the medal with a time of 2:46. Great rowing Doug Herd, Lawrence Boyer, Don Clune, Kathy Hunt, Rhonda Lauer, Tena Jackson, Sally Ritcey, Rebecca Rumsey and coxswain Sarah Houlden!

On Sunday August 18th our Men's crew headed to Toronto to attend the Hog Town Heats at the Argonauts Rowing Club. Race day proved to be windy with waves bouncing back off of the break wall. Crew members Doug Herd, Doug Moore, Don Clune and Lawrence Boyer with coxswain Margot Herd raced hard against an Argos crew to finish with the first place medal.

Great rowing all Orillia Rowing Club racers and good luck at the Georgian Bay Invitational Regatta in Midland September 8th.


Raffle Winners Unveiled
Posted August 1, 2002

Congratulations to the following winner of the ORC Fundraising Raffle:

Grand Prize Winner
Trip to Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic
Leo Moriarty , Midland

2nd Prize Winner
Weekend at Horseshoe Resort
Louise Ingleton, Toronto

3rd Prize Winner
Island Princess Dinner Cruise, Opera House tickets & Flowers by June
Jim Smith, Orillia

4th Prize Winner
Dinner & Movie sponsored by Brewery Bay Food Co.
Carol Pilger, Cumberland Beach

Many thanks to our raffle organizers and top ticket sellers Wendy Lou Paquette and Laurie Herd.


River Reflections Regatta
Posted July 27, 2002

Members of the Orillia Rowing Club attended the river Reflections Regatta on the Muskoka River in Bracebridge on Saturday July 27th.

This was a timed 4.8 km. head race hosted by the Muskoka Rowing Club. Our three crews decked out in matching club shirts and racing in the Jim Wilson Chevrolet "Ashleigh" and the "Gold Barr" put in very good high calibre performances.

In the double, rowing Gold Barr, Barb Pidgen and Heather Kerslake finished in a time of 24:22. The top women's double boat.

In the coxed four category, rowing in the Jim Wilson Chevrolet "Ashleigh", Doug Herd, Lawrence Boyer, Doug Moore, and Ron Pidgen with coxswain Sarah Pidgen were the fastest four on the river completing the race in just 20:50.

Tying for second in the coxed four category , also in "Ashleigh" was another Orillia crew of Rhonda Lauer, Jeff Cole, Kristi Cole, Tena Jackson with coxswain Sally Ritcey rowing the 4.8 km. course in just 22:00.

Great rowing Orillia Crews. Keep up the good work!


Ontario Summer Games
Posted July 25, 2002

Congratulations to the four Orillia students from the Orillia Rowing Club. Laura Pidgen, Margot Herd, Lynsi Henrickson, and Brianna Salmon rowed into a third place win for the bronze medal at the Ontario Summer Games in the women's coxed four event.

The competition was stiff, against five other crews, but our young crew met the challenge. They blazed into the finish, coming from behind, on this 1500 metre course on Lake Conestogo.

The rowing venue for the Ontario Summer Games was also host to marathon canoeing and sailing competitions. There was alot of manoevering at times to stay clear of rowing shells and canoes, kayaks as well as power boats launching to enjoy the lake. Lake Conestogo is about a 40 minute drive north of Kitchener/Waterloo the city hosts for these games in 2002.

Our Orillia students, representing the Ontario North Central District were joined by rowers from Durham, Barrie, Midland and Sudbury. There are six districts represented in rowing for these games.

Ontario North Central was able to bring home three gold medals, one silver medal and one bronze. The efforts by these young athletes was just incredible and we salute their dedication to their sport.