Introducing the 2024 Board of Directors!

On February 21st, 2024, we held the Annual General Meeting where four board positions were up for election. Please welcome the new board of directors!

President: Craig Law

VP Administration: David Jenkins

VP Recreational and Instructional Programs: Isabelle Teolis

VP Competitive Programs: Grayson Gray

Treasurer: TBD

Registrar: Julia Fournier

Secretary: Siobhan Morris

We would like to extend a huge thank you to our outgoing board members Peter Thompson, Andrew Harfield, Andrew Thompson and Amelia Krelove for their contributions to the ORC over the years.

If you are interested in becoming the next ORC Treasurer, please put your name forward to the ORC Administrator, Kim, at rowing@ottawarowingclub.com.

Discover Rowing Day Camp Registration Open!

Rowing is not only a fun activity but also a valuable experience that can enrich lives in numerous ways. Whether your child is looking for a new hobby, a way to stay active, or a chance to connect with others, our Discover Rowing Camp offers something special for youth ages 12-17 in the heart of the city. New this year: Girls Week!

Rowing encourages teamwork and collaboration and it’s a great way to improve fitness. Our Summer Camp takes place on the beautiful Ottawa River with fantastic views of surrounding areas – it’s like a cottage in the heart of downtown! Campers can challenge themselves to learn and improve their skills while having fun and making friends who share similar interests. The camp is run from 8:30 am to 3:30 pm, except on public holidays, by experienced instructors who are qualified in first aid and CPR.

For campers who enjoy this introduction to the sport, The Ottawa Rowing Club offers opportunities to continue rowing at both recreational and competitive levels.

Join Our Team: Coaches Wanted!

There are many ways to get involved at the club and complete your community involvement points. One of the best ways is to share your love for the sport is by coaching. The gratification of witnessing the progress of each athlete under your guidance makes coaching a rewarding and fulfilling endeavor. Check out the positions available below. All community involvement program points will be awarded to those who volunteer their time to coach a program at ORC.

Adult Rowing League (ARL) Coaches

We are looking for 20 volunteers to support 10 ARL teams, with your choice in Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday evening practices. No previous coaching experience is required, and ARL is a great way to start. Many current ORC coaches have started by coaching an ARL team. What better way to get your community involvement points then to run a team with a friend or two? Get your teammates involved and see who comes out on top during race nights!

ARL is a 10 week program that sees teams of new and experienced rowers learning to row together over 6 weeks and then battling it out between the bridges on 4 Thursday evening race nights. Coaching an ARL crew requires a small commitment of time over 2.5 months, finishing in July before Henley.

If you are interested in coaching for ARL, please send an email to the ARL Coordinator, Evelyn, at arl@ottawarowingclub.com.

Other upcoming anticipated job and volunteer coach openings include:

• Lead Junior Program Coach
• ORC Club and Masters Coach
• Summer Staff positions (Rowing Instructors, Camp Counsellors & more!)
• Junior Program Assistant Coach(es)
• Other assistant program coaches

Stay tuned in the coming weeks for more info and coaching opportunities at ORC!

Calling All Leaders: Volunteer Coordinator Wanted!

Are you passionate about making a positive impact on the ORC community? We are seeking a dedicated and enthusiastic individual to join the ORC team as Volunteer Coordinator. This crucial role will be the driving force behind our Community Involvement Program, coordinating roles, tracking hours and facilitating the program. If you are an ORC athlete, all of your Community Involvement Program points will be covered by joining us in this role. Check out a longer description by following the link below.

If you are interested in this role, email the ORC Administrator, Kim, at rowing@ottawarowingclub.com.

Community Involvement Program Update

ORC Administration is continuing to work on the Community Involvement Program outline discussed at the Town Hall and AGM. After feedback from you, our members, we are creating an outline that will be equitable to all and foster the ORC community you all love and deserve. Please stay tuned for the finalized program outline in the coming weeks!

Row Ontario Award Winner: Marley Mullan

Congratulations to Marley Mullan on earning Row Ontario's 2023 Learn to Row Coach of the Year! Over the past year, Marley has been working hard to bring rowing to community members throughout Ottawa, who otherwise may not have had the chance to experience rowing.

She started the first Special Olympics rowing program in Canada where athletes attended weekly practice over the summer to learn how to row. Marley also managed the Everybody Rows Ottawa program, introducing over 200 participants from communities throughout Ottawa to the sport. She managed both programs while also coaching Adult Learn to Row sessions in the evenings during the summer. Well done Marley!

2024 Wes Kuran Award Winner: Brendan Edge

Congratulations to Brendan Edge on earning the 2024 Wes Kuran Award. The Wes Kuran Award is presented to a deserving University Athlete, demonstrating strong leadership or volunteerism in rowing or the greater community, in addition to success in on the water during 2023! It is given in honour of Wes in recognition of his service to the ORC, including his presidency from 1997 to 2006. Well done Brendan!

When did you start coaching, and why?

I do not remember the exact year I started coaching but I think it was in 2006. Lubo was the head coach at the time, and he convinced me to help with the junior program which was short on coaches. It did not take much convincing because my son Matthew was just starting to row and the junior men’s program did not have enough coaches. I coached one summer with Brett Miller who showed me the ropes and then took over the program the following year. I coached the junior men’s program for four or five years and then moved over to the senior men’s program. 

What is your favourite drill for athletes?

There are lots of good drills, but my favorite drill depends on the skill of the athletes/crew. For less experienced crews I like the progression drill, starting with arms only, and then introducing additional movement every few minutes until a full-length stroke is achieved. This drill helps to consolidate proper sequencing. For more experienced crews my favorite drill is square blade rowing. Square blade rowing helps consolidate the appropriate handle heights on the drive and recovery, it encourages proper sequencing on the recovery, it promotes an effective catch, and it helps to ensure pressure on the blade right to the end of the drive.

Vote for us at the Ottawa Awards!

ORC and Head Coach, Zak Lewis, have been nominated for awards at the Ottawa Awards! ORC is going for Sports Club of the Year and Zak is in the running for Coach of the Year. Let show ORC and Zak our support!

The awards are 'people's choice' with voting taking place between January 22nd and March 7th 2024. Each person can vote once per day so sign in every 24 hours to add to the vote count.

Important Dates!

Be sure to stay up to date with all the events taking place!

2024

March 1st: 2024 Registration Begins

March 16th, 20th, 23rd: RCA Coach Workshop (virtual)

April 13th: RowOn Umpires Conference

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