Sunday marked the last day of the Royal Canadian Henley Regatta. From August 3^rd to 10^th, the Regatta Commission hosted its 141^st year of the event, welcoming in over 500 volunteers and over 2000 athletes from around the world.

Athletes competed in pursuit of Henley Gold, treating Canadian spectators to thrilling races across age groups and disciplines.

“I’m proud that the Royal Canadian Henley Regatta is back to our pre-COVID entry levels,” said Serge Paquin, Commissioner of Canadian Henley.

“We’ve had a great week of racing and some fantastic competition.  We couldn’t put an event on like this without the support of all our Volunteers and Umpires.  I’ve really enjoyed this week interacting with our vendors, athletes, and of course, watching some amazing races.”

Chief Umpire Debbie Sage shared a similar experience, “It was an honour to be asked to be Chief Umpire at a regatta I used to row at as a teenager!”

The team at Henley managed to bring in 45 umpires from across Ontario and Canada to help with the event.

“The spirit and sportsmanship amount all the athletes really uplifted us as umpires, and I want to thank everyone for a great week and Mother Nature for behaving,” said Sage.

RCA’s National Team participated in the regatta for the first time in several years. From the Women’s Eight to the Para PR3 crew, the team enjoyed taking to Canadian waters and competing against top-tier talent.

“It was an absolute pleasure returning to St. Catharines to race at Canadian Henley!” said National Team Member, Cassidy Dean. “I was so excited to be back racing on the Martindale waterway at a regatta I have so many fond memories. The conditions were near-perfect,” remarked Deane, “and it made for some gritty and fast racing. The volunteers went above and beyond to make us feel welcomed and put on a very well-organized event. I particularly enjoyed racing the Dash W8+, as it was the first time I have ever raced in a 500m event.”

During Henley, Cassidy won Henley Gold with her partner Kristen Siermachesky in the Championship W2-:

“It is an event I have raced in the past but never won. Kristen made this win more meaningful as it was her first Canadian Henley, and I was thrilled to be racing with her! Thank you so much, Canadian Henley and the rowing community, for welcoming us back to such a great regatta after a number of years.”

Jennifer Fitzpatrick, RCA Director of Partnerships and Sport Development shared her congratulations to all the crews bringing home Henley Gold, and thanked the volunteers and the Henley Commission for delivering this great event.

“There’s no event quite like the RCHR to bring the entire Canadian rowing community together. This year was extraordinary in that the National Team joined us from some great racing, and we celebrated the induction of the Henley Aquatic Association.”

On Thursday, August 7^th, RCA held the 2024 Canadian Rowing Hall of Fame induction evening at St. Catharines Rowing Alumni Association Alumni Hall to celebrate the four posthumous Hall of Fame inductees, Bill Burgoyne, Don Thom, Ted Nelson, and John Newman.

These visionary builders combined their business acumen and foresight to acquire Reid’s Island, which would go on to become one of the most prestigious rowing facilities in North America, now known as Henley Island. 

Their collective efforts reshaped the landscape of Canadian rowing, establishing the Royal Canadian Henley Regatta (RCHR) as one of the sport’s most respected annual events.

“So many fond memories are created at Henley, and it’s important to know and appreciate how it all began,” said Fitzpatrick. “For those not yet familiar with this incredible story, I encourage you to learn about how their vision, foresight and resilience have enabled all of us to enjoy this regatta for many more decades to come.”

ABOUT THE ROYAL CANADIAN HENLEY REGATTA

With a rich history dating back to 1880, the event, inspired by the Henley Royal Regatta in England, has grown into one of the largest and most prestigious amateur rowing events in North America. Held annually on Martindale Pond in Port Dalhousie, Ontario, the seven-day event draws athletes and spectators from across the globe.

Henley Island plays a vital role in the success of rowing in Canada. Since its establishment in the mid-20th century, the island has hosted numerous World Rowing Championships and other prestigious international events. Thanks to ongoing efforts and support, Canada is recognized as home to one of the premier, world-class venues on the international rowing circuit.

Photo Credit: Connor Schafer / @schafersshots