1980

By: Linda Dupuis

"We sent people running when our skull steered into shore" was one of the exciting moments that Mark Allan and his cohorts of the Renforth Rowing Club experiences on their trip abroad.

These four members, Mark and David Allan, Henry and Brian Flood and their coach, Keith Radcliffe were invited to participate in the "Newcastle-Upon-Tyne Regatta" early last month.

A rousing welcome awaited the Renforth team (so named after a Newcastle-Upon-Tyne resident, James Renforth, who dies rowing here in 1871.) "the hospitality these people showed us was unbelievable!" stated Mark. "we were given Civic receptions and Banquets by the City of Newcastle (Newcastle being the size of Toronto) and the Mayor arranged for us to visit the gravesite of James Renforth -- it was quite an honor!"

Mark tells us that he was told that approximately 70,000 to 100,000 people attended the funeral of our Village of Renforth's namesake -- James Renfoth."

"We rowed, trained and were entertained for the five days w spent in Newcastle and had two second-place finishes in that particular area's regattas." stated Mark.

While in Broxfurrow, England (just outside London) the Renforth boys trained on the River Lee; from there they travelled to Petersboro, "where, unfortunately, due to equipment problems with the boat we didn't do so well."

This unfortunate happening didn't discourage the Renforth crew as they went on to Redding to participate in"the 3^rd largest regatta in England and actually did very well there -- we won a first place finish! We were very proud of our efforts on the River Thames."

When Mark was asked if they ever felt "green" rowing against some of the top-notch rowers of England (such as Durham and London's University's Crews) Mark replied, "our techniques sure improved -- as our courses here are on a straight 2000m race; theirs consist of turns and bends -- you have to use more strategy over there. You have to learn how to navigate those turns; it can be quite scary!"

Mark felt that his crew was one of the better crews over there, "probably because of all of our hard winter training -- we seemed to be in better shape than they were."

Mark said that they made their mistakes too -- like the time he lost control of his skull and it started to veer into shore, sending all the spectators running! "But you learn from your mistakes," he said.

Over there, you'd see hundreds of spectators watching the races -- it's a sport for the elite crowds who even come with their "tea and beer tents."

"When they heard we were Canadians, they would cheer us on and wave signs welcoming us -- it was quite a thrill!"

"As the Renforth Crew was the only North American Crew out of the hundred participating, they were enthusiastically made welcome wherever they went," stated Mark.

When asked, "where does your crew go from here?" Mark replied that they will be going onto Ontario to try for the Canadian National's Championships in August.

Mark feels very confident that their crew will do well rowing in the Regattas being held in Welland and St. Catherines; one being the well-known Canadian Henley Regatta.

July promises to be a busy month for this crew as the 12^th of July finds them in Halifax rowing in their the "Nova Scotia Sprints", the 19^th rowing in their home base's Renforth Regatta (where they will be competing against Fredericton and Halifax). Then, on the 26^th, they finish off the month's rowing in the Fredericton Regatta.

"I must enjoy the rowing, either that, or I enjoy the pain that goes with it," Mark jokingly retorted when asked why he rows. "It's the challenge the feeling that you can do your best at something and know that you have accomplished something is why I love rowing."

"The most beautiful feeling to me is being out there on the river at sun rise or sunset -- all alone-- when the river is calm -- it's a great feeling!"

When asked if he had any long term plans for rowing, Mark replied "I will always continue to have a part in it but whether or not I will put as much time into it I don't know. I have to make a few decisions as to where I am going -- education and career wise. (All four members attend University, with Mark hoping to further his education by attending Medical School.)

"Maybe if I get crazier than I am already, I'll see myself entering the Olympics someday, but right now I must think about my future career."

"Being born and raised in Renforth, I had the opportunity to watch in 1971, the British crew rowing in Renforth, and after talking to Dr. Bonneycastle ("who was notorious for dragging people into the sport") and the Renforth's coach at that time, (who also happened to be the coach for the 1968 Olympic team) I wanted the honor of rowing under him -- that was what encouraged me to take it up and I'm glad I did."

We need coaches badly -- we have three now -- one for the girl's crew -- one for our crew and one for the other men's crew, but we need more." They also need financial assistance as this team is renowned for their skills and therefore are invited to participate in regatta's all over. For example, their crew was the only North American crew who attended out of the hundred's of others who did. "But all this takes money. "Therefore we are sponsoring Teen dances to help defray costs. We hope the Kennebecasis Valley Teens will come each Wednesday evening in July at the Renforth's Community Club."

The Renforth crew will never forget their past month's memories of their trip abroad -- the food, the hospitality, the sites and the experience of rowing against the top notch crews of Britain. These memories are engraved forever in their minds but the one thing they did miss and were glad to get home to "was our good Canadian beer!"

Whatever, the Renforth crew will continue on to even greater things in the future by the feeling of confidence that is shared by all of them.

The Kennebecasis Valley community can indeed be proud of "their famous rowing team!"