Volunteers Needed for National Rowing Championships

NPARC has been asked by the St. Catharines Rowing Club if we can provide operators for supplementary communications for the up coming Canadian National Regatta that it is hosting.

The regatta is being held on the southern portion of the course at the Welland Club over three days. Races will be run in the afternoon (1200 to 1515) of Sunday Nov 5, all day (0815 to 1700) Monday Nov 6 and all day (0815 to 1700) Tuesday Nov 7.

Given the regatta's need for operators at three locations (start, finish and clubhouse) and it making sense to break down the regatta into five (5) shifts - one on Sunday afternoon, two (2) each on Monday and Tuesday, morning and afternoon, this means we need up to 15 volunteers for one shift each. Of course, with fewer volunteers we need people who're willing to serve on more shifts.

If you're willing to volunteer for service at this event, please contact Peter Vince VA3PKV by phone at 905-227-6326 or by email at va3pkv@cogeco.ca on or before Thursday evening.

73 Peter, VA3PKV

National Rowing Championships is a New Regatta

The National Rowing Championships, will include more than 200 of Canada's top rowers in Welland on the old Welland Canal near Dain City at the South Niagara Rowing Club.

"This will be a true national championship." said Ian Moss, Executive Director of Rowing Canada Aviron. It will serve several purposes including allowing provinces and the National Team to identify and rank athletes, and will bring all the best rowers to one place to test their skill and compete in a quality field."

This is the first time this event will be held. Approximately 225 athletes have been entered. Entries have been made from both national training centres, Victoria and London as well as the provinces. Junior athletes - the stars of tomorrow - will also be a part of the NRC.

2006 National Rowing Championships Regatta Day Three

It was a rainy and cool day but the races went on. NPARC was there relaying traffic between the boat house, starting line and finish line. Here are a couple pictures from the starting line. Enjoy.

Peter, VA3WET
November 7th, 2006

Rowers get off to a good start on the old Welland Canal.

The NPARC radio station at the starting line

2006 National Rowing Championships Regatta Day Two

NPARC is honoured to be providing communications for this important rowing event in Welland. Here are a few photos from todays day of racing. More photos will be posted as they become available. Enjoy.

Peter, VA3WET
November 6th, 2006

Rowers line up at the starting line during a beautiful November afternoon

This shell folded up when it was in a minor collision with another shell behind the starting line

A close-up of the damage. No one was hurt in the collision

National Rowing Championships In Welland

November 5th, 6th and 7th 2006

As a public service sponsored by the club, the following people: Art Kennedy VA3AEK, Roy Saunders VA3NP, Peter Teminski VA3WET, Tom Strickland VE3AYY, Brian Kent VE3BMX, Dave Digweed VE3FOI, Doug Frame VE3JDF, Sheldon Olmstead VE3KEX, Frank Endenburg VE3KLM and myself used two repeaters, VE3WCR and VE3RAF, to provide extra coordination and control communications at the Row Canada Aviron Canadian National Rowing Championships in Dain City (south of Welland).

The Regatta took place over the afternoon of Sunday November 5 and all day the following Monday the 6th and Tuesday the 7th.

Even though the club received a short notice request on Sunday October 29 for public service communications, by Thursday November 2, all of these people had volunteered to help out.

The weather during the event was mostly seasonal, cold and damp. NPARC members toughed it out and did a great job according to people with the regatta host, the South Niagara Rowing Club. We received many thanks and a few compliments.

73 Peter Vince VA3PKV

Rowing Course Map

Rowing - South Course Map
Click to show larger version.