Original cover of the 1977 Regatta Program

Andy Messer, one of the Kennebecasis Rowing Club's most successful members.

KENNEBECASIS ROWING CLUB

After 100 years the waters of the Kennebecasis came alive with the splash of oars. The Kennebecasis Lions Club held a (non-rowing) regatta in the summer of 1970 to prepare for the "big regatta" commemorating the 100^th anniversary of the worlds championship four oared race between the world champions "Paris Crew" of Saint John and the challenger Tyne crew from England. A crew was brought from the Tyne in England to row against crews from Dartmouth, N.S. Through the encouragement of the Lions Club, the Mic Mac and North Star rowing clubs of Dartmouth, the Kennebecasis Rowing Club was formed.

In August of 1972 the club enetered its first boat in the Renforth Regatta. The crew consisted of Tim Frink, Lorne Kilpatrick, Charles Fawcett and Ivan Langille, coached by international rowing coach Gerry Lienert. Under Lienert’s coaching subsequent crews went to the Royal Canadian Henley and placed in the finals. Also in the coaching scene was Tim Frink who coached the lightweights. In the 1973 Henley, Mexico, United States and the rest of Canada knew how to pronounce "Kennebecasis."

In 1975 Keith Ratcliffe came on the scene to take over from Gerry Lienert who left the province. This was indeed a stroke of fortune for the rowing club to have two such prominent coaches on their staff. Ratcliffe worked dililgently with the heavy crew and Frink with the lightweights. In 1976 it was back to the Henley for the heavyweights. After a very creditable showing the gold medal still eluded them. The lightweights competed in the local regattas in Renforth and Dartmouth.

This was also the first year for women rowers. The club had two womens crews made up of the Barry sisters, (the only all sister crew in North America) and the second crew made up of Kim Tremblay, Mary Ellen Guidry, Nancy Loewen and Sally Hutchinson.

After a hard winter’s training schedule, the crews took to the water in the spring of this year. The heavy crew made up of Butch Gaunce, Wayne McConnell, Dave and Mark Allan was off to the Henley. The gold medal eluded them again in the straight four race, however, brothers Dave and Mark Allan were not to be denied the gold in the pairs without cox final. Through Ratcliffe’s coaching and their dedication the Allan brothers brought back the most prestigious rowing honors in North America. Also at this year’s Henley, the girls crew of Mary Ellen Guidry, Sally Hutchinson, Margo Inches and Patty Kieffer competed in a heat race with five other boats. They were beaten by a boat length by the Mexican National crew. Another graduate of the original four boat, Lorne Kilpatrick was instrumental in the splendid showing of this women’s crew.

Other former oarsmen have turned to coaching and have contributed to the success of the club. They are Norman Demers and Mike Chapman. The lightweight crew this year is made up of Randy Cassidy, Paul Plume, Mike Chapman and Norman Demers.

For the development of new rowers the club will be having a rowing clinic during August under the direction of the senior rowers of the club. This will include both male and female from ages 14 and up. Sessions will start at 9 a.m. on fine days.

KEITH RATCLIFF

Dedication-Confidence-Stamina and personal sacrifice have finally realized for Keith and his crews an indescribable feeling of pride and accomplishment. And rightly so, since in a space of three weeks in 1977, the Cox with Pairs (Dave and Mark Allen) won the Gold at both the Canadian Henley and the Canadian Championships and the Fours (Wayne McConnell, Andy Messer, David and Mark Allen) won the Gold at the Canadian Championships beating out British Columbia.

It didn’t come easy, directing the training all winter long and rowing regularly from the first day the ice goes out at dawn and again at sunset, day after day come fog, rain or shine. But for the 34 year old native of Northampton, England who came to Canada in 1975 it has been a truly rewarding 2 years and his achievements merit hearty congratulations.

Keith began his rowing career in 1967 winning in that year the Novice IV’s at St. Neots and the Junior IV’s at Shrewsbury, England.

All together Keith won at 20 Senior Regatta’s in Sculls, Pairs and IV’s, and competed in 5 Royal Henley Regattas entering the Britannia Cup IV’s and the Thames Challenge Cup VIII’s.

Prior to joining the Broxbourne Rowing Club in 1967 Keith had a keen interest in sailing and was one of four founding members who helped to resurrect the club following a major fire.

He was a member of the Quinton Rowing Club, the Molesey R.C., City Orient and Crowland Stroiling and elite VIII before sadly parting with his own sculling boat to emmigrate to Canada.

It didn’t take Keith long to get involved in the Kennebecasis Rowing Club. It took exactly 3 months following his arrival in Canada in February 1975.

Keith is married to Karin (Burgess) of Fredericton who together have three beautiful children, Karolin (4 ½), Stephanie (3 ½) and Jonathan (10 mos.).

Credit must be given to Karin who, with 3 young children, has surely had to tolerate considerable home life disruption and inconvenience. Few can appreciate the sacrifice Karin has made for the benefit of others and to her we extend our sincerest appreciation.

Karin’s understanding and the Rowing Team’s dedication to Keith, surely says it all.

ANDREW MESSER

Andy began rowing at the age of 15 in 1974 under the coaching of Jerry Lienert.

While rowing in 1975 he was approached by Ridley College in Ontario to attend their College and train for the National Youth Team of Canada. Andy attended Ridley in 1975 and competed in the American School Boy and Canadian School Boy Strothebury Regatta coming second in all 3 events. Quite an achievement.

In 1976 Andy was chosen for the National Youth Crew. He won the Gold Medal in the American Youth Regatta Championships in Ontario, Canadian Champion Championships, Canadian Henley Junior Fours, Senior Fours and Senior Eights.

He also attended the World Youth Championships in Yugoslavia in 1976 coming fourth behind the powerful East German, Russian and West German crews. The real prize was capturing the Princess Elizabeth Cup with the Ridley Heavy Eights in 1977 in one of the world’s most prestigious events, The Royal Henley Regatta in England.

Andy’s rowing success has since resulted in full scholarships being offered from: Yale University, Penn State and Princeton University.

Needless to say Andy rowed for the Kennebecasis Club in the Canadian Championships in Montreal in August 1977 and won the Straight Four having substituted for Stephen Gaunce due to injury.

Tribute to Frank Tremblay

This year as plans and preparations were being made and carried out for Regatta ’77, the ideas and work of one man were greatly missed. Frank’s willingness to take on projects and his determination to make them successful were outstanding, even in "this community of volunteers".

He not only helped to re-establish the Regatta and headed different committees over the years, but also served as village councillor and Deputy Mayor along with being a dedicated member of the very active Kennebecasis Lions Club. Frank truly delivered and practiced the Lions Motto "We Serve."

The many efforts that he put forward to serve this community can, should, and will be done by others, however as a person and as an active concerned citizen Frank’s death left a void for us in this community that will never be filled.

Different organizations and people feel that his efforts on our behalf should be permanently recognized. So be it! However, for those of us who knew Frank and worked and enjoyed life with him no memorial is necessary to keep fond memories of him in our hearts.