Click here to see full size. Original Cover of the 1979 Regatta Program.

Click here to see full size. Rowing team carrying boat from water at the Renforth Regatta.

Click here to see full size. Spectators gathered on the shore of the Kennebecasis River to witness the Renforth Regatta

Kennebecasis Rowing Club

The 1978 Rowing Season followed much the same pattern as in the past, that is, men’s and women’s competitive crews were trained and competed in the National Championship in Montreal and the Canadian Henley in St. Catharines.

Our heavy four, having reached its peak and achieved its objective in 1977 (two Canadian Championships), "retired", but our fine pair of Mark and David Allan continued. Women’s crews continued. Also a men’s light crew finished third at the Henley.

A new level of rowing was introduced primarily for youngsters ages 12 to 15 and included boys and girls. Some thirty of this class rowed fifteen each weekday morning under the fine coaching of Wayne McConnell, one of our "big four." Three crews went out daily. An eight was put together and competed in the Nova Scotia sprints and showed promise. The youngsters greatly enjoyed the trip. Plans are being made to continue this useful program.

Financially the Club enjoyed a successful year due to certain favorable assistance programs, particularly the Federal Government’s New Horizons Programme. However, the going will from now on be much tougher and rowers and competitor will be asked to pay their way.

The 1979 year will largely be a building year. It takes three years to reach top performance. There will be more concentration on "home" rowing. Adventures into the big time will depend on crews reaching competitive standard times, except for attendance at the Nova Scotia Sprints which we support, as the Dartmouth Clubs do the Renforth Regatta.

The Club asks for said support from the Community.

WOMEN’S ROWING CREW

This year women’s rowing combines youth with experience.

We have retained from last year: Sally Hutchinson, Mary Ellen Guidry, Margot Inches and Gwen Jones.

New members are Brenda Ahearn, Connie Ahearn, Karen Colpitts, Patricia Kempton, Susan Kilpatrick. Last but not least we have our coxswain, Theresa Sleigh with us again this year.

The girls have been in training since January at KVHS two nights a week and since the ice has gone out they have been training six nights a week.

We can expect good representation from our girls again this year.

MENS ROWING

The mens rowing this year consists of both lightweight and heavyweight crews. The lightweight includes two new oarsmen John Allan (two seat) and Brian Flood (three seat) who will team up with last year’s oarsmen Rick Cassidy (bow) and Henry E. Flood (stroke). Rowing spare for the lightweight is Shawn Smythe.

The heavyweight this year consist of two veterans Lorne Kilpatrick and Keith Ratcliffe also gold medallists Mark and Dave Allan. Also rowing heavyweight are Tom Chamberlain and Norm Demers.

Coxswain for both crews this year is Danny McGuire, who also coxed last year.