Alumni Gatherings

Toronto Alumni 

For years, Wing Night had no agenda.

A rotating cast of rowers — some current, many former, all connected to the sport at some point in their lives — would gather in Toronto for chicken wings and a few beers. There were no speeches, no fundraising asks, no strategic planning sessions. Just stories. Mostly boring rowing stories. The kind only rowers enjoy telling and somehow enjoy hearing even more.

The invite list grew over time. Some nights there were a handful of people, other nights the room was packed. Whoever could make it showed up. That was the tradition.

Wing Night became something rare: a place without pressure. A place where Olympians sat beside club rowers, where old rivals became old friends, and where everyone could reconnect through the strange, shared language of rowing.

And for years, that was enough.

But on April 1^st this year wing Night in Toronto took on a different purpose.

The invitation expanded beyond the usual crowd and brought together people who care deeply about the future of rowing in Canada. The conversation shifted from the past to what comes next — specifically, the vision for the new National Training Centre boathouse and what it could mean for Canadian rowing.

Leadership from Rowing Canada walked the group through the plans for the facility, outlining a vision that was ambitious, practical, and inspiring. A world-class training environment. A place designed to support athletes at the highest level. A facility capable of helping Canada compete with — and eventually surpass — the best rowing nations in the world.

Because somebody has to have the best rowing team in the world.

Why not Canada?

What made the evening special wasn’t just the presentation. It was the response. The rowing community rallied around the idea with the same spirit that has always defined the sport: people showing up for each other.

Several people in the room stepped forward to help support the fundraising effort. Thanks to the leadership of Wayne Pommen and Silken Laumann, and the support of a small fundraising committee including Brad Crombie, Kay Worthington and myself the campaign has gained real momentum. As we close in on the final push to complete a boathouse befitting our National Team the conversation around rowing in Canada has become focused on the future.

That matters.

Great rowing nations are not built overnight. They are built through community, vision, persistence, and belief. They are built by people who care enough to invest their time, energy, and resources into something bigger than themselves.

In a few years, the National Training Centre could be one of the finest rowing facilities in the world.

And maybe the best part of all of this is that it started the same way Wing Night always has: with rowers getting together around a table, eating too many wings, telling stories, and enjoying each other’s company.

The rowing community in Canada is strong.

Our hope is that it keeps getting stronger.

Dan O’Shaughnessy
Alumnus 2005

 

London UK Alumni:

Supporting RCA in London

In April, the community of Canadian rowing alumni, supporters, and friends based in the UK gathered in London for the inaugural WURCAA dinner. The evening was a resounding success, filled with shared memories, a celebration of our deep-rooted rowing heritage, and crucial conversations about the future of Canadian rowing on the global stage. It was rewarding for all the attendees to come together and connect over our shared support for today’s athletes, joined by special guest Jeff Powell, the CEO of Rowing Canada Aviron.

Highlights of the Evening

• A Gathering of Generations: The room truly showcased the longevity of Canadian rowing excellence. Attendees spanned decades of competitive history, ranging from veterans of the mid-90s teams up to athletes from the 2019 National Team.
• Olympic Inspiration: We were fortunate to be joined by multi-time Olympian Andreanne Morin, a member of the Women’s Eight that captured a Silver medal at the London 2012 Olympic Games.
• International Excellence: Also in attendance was Martin Barakso, who has proudly worn the maple leaf for Canada at numerous World Championships and the Pan-American Games.
• Shaping the Future: The dinner provided a forum for Jeff to share insights and updates on the critical strategic pillars driving the organization forward.

Strategic Focus Areas

The talk of the evening centred on how RCA is building a sustainable, world-class future for the sport. Three key priorities dominated the conversation:

1. The New National Training Centre: RCA CEO updated the group on progress establishing the permanent home for Canada’s elite rowers at Lake Quamichan in Duncan, BC.
2. LA 2028 Preparation: Mapping out the vital coaching and athlete priorities required to ensure a strong, competitive showing at the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games.
3. The Selection Process: Enhancing and streamlining the athlete selection process going forward to ensure clarity, fairness, and peak performance.

Thank Yous

The group extends a massive thank you to Andreanne, Martin, the youngsters and the old-timers who attended, shared stories, and contributed to a special evening. Thanks also go to Mike Bryden, RCA Board Director, who delivered a powerful moral argument about why today’s generation of athletes deserve a world-class National Training Centre fit for future champions.

Looking Ahead: Join Us at Henley

Following the strength of the April dinner, the UK alumni chapter is pleased to announce our next gathering at Henley Royal Regatta on Saturday, July 4th. This will be a fantastic opportunity to catch up, cheer on the competing Canadian crews, and update the group on progress at Quamichan. 

Brad Crombie
1995-1997 Alumnus

 

Calgary Alumni

A wonderful gathering of rowing alumni recently took place in Calgary, bringing together 16 alumni from the approximately 35 rowers currently living in the Calgary area. The event was a terrific opportunity to reconnect, share memories, and celebrate the enduring bonds formed through rowing.

The gathering was especially distinguished by the attendance of several legendary Canadian Olympians whose accomplishments continue to inspire generations of athletes. We were honored to welcome Archie McKinnon, gold medalist in the 1956 Men’s Coxless Four; Bob Wilson, silver medalist in the 1956 Men’s Eight; and Roger Jackson, gold medalist in the 1964 Men’s Coxless Pair. Their presence added a special sense of history and pride to the occasion.

The event reflected not only the remarkable achievements of these alumni but also the strong sense of camaraderie that continues long after competition ends. Stories, laughter, and shared experiences made for an unforgettable afternoon among friends and fellow athletes.

Special thanks go to Jennifer Blunt, Mike Bryden, and Jennifer Fitzpatrick for their hard work and dedication in organizing such a successful and memorable event. Their efforts ensured a warm and welcoming atmosphere for everyone who attended.

We look forward to future gatherings and continuing to strengthen the rowing alumni community in Calgary.

Don Telfer,
1985-92 Alumnus
Chair, NTAAC

Upcoming Events:

Royal Henley Regatta

Rowing Canada Alumni gathering will take place on Saturday July 4th in the cricket ground parking area near the Stewards’ Enclosure. The gathering will convene during the tea break, around 4:30pm.

If you are interested in attending and/or want to be added to the email distribution list for the London Alumni group, please contact Brad Crombie (hyperlink to   “Bradshaw Crombie” <crombbra@gmail.com>

Montreal ’76 50^th Anniversary – Montreal

Fifty years ago, the Montréal 1976 Olympic Games marked a watershed moment for our sport, the debut of women’s Olympic rowing. 

Join us July 30–August 1, 2026, at the Olympic Basin as we honour this historic milestone and the trailblazers who made it possible.

Official Website