Evening Times-Globe, August 1, 1974

Renforth Regatta

Last year's winners- Four Montreal-area oarsmen sit in their racing shell, after crossing the finish line winning the Sir James Renfoth Memorial race and trophy last year. The triumphant Federation of Quebec Rowing straight four crew were, from left: Louis Prevost, bow; Louis Bourassa, second oar; Pierre Voisard, third oar; and Georges DeBuc, stroke.

Commemorative Trophy - This trophy presented to the Village of Renforth by the Tyneside crews of Newcastle and Gateshead, England, commemorates the 1871 race between Tyneside and Saint John held on the Kennebecasis River off Renforth. The Tyneside captain, James Renforth, died in that race and the community was named after him. In this picture, taken last year, Dr. C. H. Bonnycastle, president of the Kennebecasis Rowing and Canoe Club, and then-mayor Robert Lockhart are shown with two officials of the Canadian Rowing Association of Ottawa, executive director Alan Price and technical director Dr. Martin Bielz.

On Saturday the Kennebecasis Rowing and Canoe Club crews will take to the water again in the 1974 Renforth Regatta, rowing against the top crews form the MicMac and North Star Rowing Clubs of Dartmouth, N.S.

As one spokesman put it, "The people of Saint John and surrounding areas will see the best rowing on the Kennebecasis since the days of the world champion Paris Crew of Saint John."

According to Dr. C. H. Bonnycastle, chairman of the fourth annual regatta in the Renforth community, arrangements are being completed. for races between the eight member crews of the three clubs participating.

"These races are particularly exciting," he said. "To see the large boats in competition is most impressive."

Teams from rowing clubs in Quebec and Ontario were originally expected to take part in the skulling competitions on Saturday. A spokesman for the regatta committee announced earlier this week that the two teams from St. Catharines, Ontario and the defending champions, the Quebec Rowing Federation have cancelled their plans to attend the Renforth Regatta because of other commitments.

Organizers of the regatta remain confident that competition for the James F. Renforth Trophy in the rowing events is likely to attract much local interest.

Other athletic events for local participants has been slated for Saturday afternoon. Competitions will be held in sailing, swimming and canoeing.

There will be competitions in canoe-tilting and canoe-racing for four age groups from under 12 years to over 18 years. Registration for these events can be made at the Regatta site at the Renforth Wharf following opening ceremonies at 9 a.m.

The long-distance swimming competition of 2,000 metres requires that each competitor he accompanied by his own boat and a crew of two. Age groups for the short distance swimming range from the under 10 category to an open division. There will be four age categories competing in the breaststroke, freestyle competitions as well as a four-man relay race. Competitions will be held for both boys and girls with registration to be made at the site of the races.

Prizes and trophies will be awarded at the official dais on the Renforth Wharf at 6 p.m.

Renforth Village Named For Rower

Sculling or rowing competitions are not new to the Renforth community.

With its location on the Kennebecasis River some six miles from downtown Saint John, it is not surprising to hear that rowing teams competed in the waters along the shores of this village more then 100 years ago.

In fact, it was as a result of the rowing competitions held in that area in 1871 that the small community was to receive its name.

One hundred and three years ago this summer, an important race was planned for the Kennebecasis River. In competition for the major rowing events were the Saint John 'Paris' Crew, winners of the 1867 World Competition held in Paris and the contending British Crew from Tyne, England.

During the race, James F. Renforth, captain of the Tyne crew suffered a fatal stroke. The village in which he died was named after him.

According to Dr. C. H. Bonnycastle, overall chairman of the regatta, rowing continued to be a popular competitive sport in the Renforth area until the Second World War. "Before 1935, we had a number of famous oarsmen from the area and that was in single as well as in crew-type races, he said.

But following the war, it was not until 1971 that the regatta was reinstated - this time as part of the community’s centennial celebrations. Under the chairmanship of Dr. Bonnycastle the Kennebecasis Rowing and Canoe Club was formed.

Now in its fourth year, the Renforth Regatta has become an annual event that offers a day filled with competitive sport with rowing teams from a number of Canadian clubs taking to the water.