1980

Five members of the Kennebecasis Rowing Club leave for Newcastle, England, tomorrow to participate in an international regatta marking the 900^th anniversary of that city.

They will be representing our entire area not just Renforth as some people think, explained the club’s president, Dr. C. H. Bonnycastle. "Renforth is our scene of operation but we really are Greater Saint John," he stated.

Making the trip will be Mark Allan and David Allan of Renforth, Henry and Brian Flood, Kennebecasis Park, and coach Keith Ratcliffe, Quispamsis. The crew are University students who found summer jobs that allowed them to be absent 18 days.

They will be participating in a total of three regattas, two of which are two-day events. After the Newcastle race, they travel to the London area for the other competitions.

The club has been raising money to pay some of the expenses that will be incurred. They anticipate needing $6,000 to cover the cost. Contributions have been sent by some of the businesses as well as personal donations. Only one municipality, the Village of Renforth, has seen fit to support their cause.

"We would still accept contributions," stated Dr. Bonnycastle. Donations of $25 and over are tax deductible and should be sent to: Kennebecasis Rowing Club, Inc; P.O. Box 68, Rothesay, N.B., E0G 2W0.

Another need of the club is for more coaches. "Any people who have coaching ability and would like to become a rowing coach should contact me. We will train. There are Provincial rowing coach clinics that will teach them how," Dr. Bonnycastle stated.

Rowing is not an easy, fun, one night a week activity. It is dedication. It is competition. It is a tough sport. They practice lifting weights and run before even getting into the shells. "And they’re down there seven days a week, two hours a night on the water. They never miss," explained the President.

Rowing was revised in the Kennebecasis Bay for the centenary celebration of the 1871 race. In that race, a crew from Newcastle raced against a crew from Saint John. James Renforth died in that race. (Details of this historical event are to be found in the "Reflection" column on page 4.)

In 1971 another Newcastle crew came to Renforth. "If that event went well, I said I would start a rowing club," stated Dr. Bonnycastle. So in 1972, efforts were begun. Since then the club has won the Canadian Championships, has an Olympic oarsman, has a girls crew and has $30,000 worth of boats.

The club would like to have a single scull. And as we completed our interview, Dr. Bonnycastle added, "a club house!"