1977

Rowers’ Dedication Pays Off
By S. Burns MacMillan

A week ago gold was discovered in New Brunswick. It is in the possession of two young rowers from Renforth, who after four years of sweat and dedication grabbed up top spot in Canada’s most prestigious rowing event. Nineteen year-old Mark Allan and his 16-year-old brother Dave combined to win the 2,000 meter junior heavy pairs without cox at the Royal Canadian Henley Regatta in St. Catharines, Ont.

"We were expecting to place well," commented Mark, "but we weren’t counting on a gold medal." Some rowers said the competition in the event was extremely keen with particular pressure from an American crew described as "very big" and "one of the top two in the States." Achieving their level of excellence hasn’t been easy. It is a sport that requires supreme dedication, periods of extended physical exertion, and a will to go on.

Kennebecasis Rowing Club coach Keith Ratcliffe feels the rowers exhibit the qualities required - their performances certainly back that up.

Years of Rowing

Mark, a six-foot, 180-pound student at Mount Allison University has been rowing for the last five years, making his way into the sport through exposure earned living in Renforth. Brother Dave, also six-feet tall but 5-pounds lighter, followed his brother’s lead. They train year round along with the other 16 male and female members of the club and the training men is demanding.

They go seven days a week, 12 months a year. From October until the ice breaks in the Kennebecasis River, they follow a two and a half hour routine of running, weights, and circuit training. But in the summer months water work is added to the list. Coach Ratcliffe, who is a believer in doing everything his rowers do, has the boys out twice a day during the peak period in June. And that means one workout at 5 a.m. before heading out to work.

The Allans have nothing but praise for their coach and feel his influence is one of the prime motivations in their involvement in the sport. "He puts in as much time as we do," says Mark. "And he doesn’t take the glory," adds Dave. "When we go out to row we want to win for him as much as for ourselves."

Still In Development Stages

Rowing is still very much in the developing stage in N.B. as compared to the powerhouses such as Ontario. There are many disadvantages to rowing in this province. One that all three cited is lack of competition. Although Fredericton is currently getting a program underway, until recently, competition could only be found by traveling.

Ratcliffe says an attempt is going to be made to expand the KRC this season, possibly by introducing a program in Saint John area high schools.

In the meantime, there are still a few key items on the rowing schedule. Mark and Dave are off today to compete in the Canadian National Rowing Championships on the Olympic Basin at Montreal in both doubles and fours, where they’ll combine with Wayne McConnell and Steve Gaunce.

Following that there is the Renforth Regatta on the week of Aug. 20 and the Dartmouth Regatta during the week of Aug.13.

Both Dave and Mark Allan agree that you have to be dedicated but feel "the sacrifice is worth it." The benefits include physical and mental conditioning, travel and education opportunities, and high level competition. As Mark ass "It’s better than sitting around in a tavern or something like that."

Both rowers look to have promising futures in the sport and they are wished well.