Maple Bay Regatta – We’re Back!

11 April 2022Jim Ganley, Privett '34

85 members of the Brentwood College Rowing Club spent yesterday at the Maple Bay Regatta on Quamichan Lake. Hosted by the Maple Bay Rowing Club, this annual event features schools from up and down the Island and even a visit from Vancouver’s Thunderbird Rowing Club.

At the end of the day, I asked Fraser C, one of our Grade 10 junior boys, what he felt he had gained from the regatta. He observed that after two years of rowing, it was the first head-to-head regatta he had ever attended. His three races, on the wonderfully buoyed national team training centre course, were his first ever. Much was gained.

This could be said for all of our rowers. Covid has taken its toll on our ability to train and compete for 24 months – but we’re making up for lost time.

Clearly a great deal was gained on the mercurial waters yesterday. The reality of Covid interruption did not seem to deter Fraser and his teammates: the club enjoyed success in all areas of the program.

With their puppyish energy and enthusiasm, the junior boys started the day by placing first – and second – in the U17 eight. This success was quickly followed by a win by boys U19 lightweight quad. Not to be outdone, the U17 girls also captured gold in the eight. True to form, the senior women’s quad, which has led the club in Best in the Boathouse competition for the last three years, had a terrific race in a field of seven finishing second to Victoria City Rowing Club. Also of note was the U19 men’s double which finished just off the pace in what was the day’s most polished race.

Thanks to Ms Manton, Mr Ross, Mr Carr and the coaching staff for their efforts and to the students for derigging, loading, rigging, racing, weather-waiting, and racing again on a day that began at 6:00 a.m. and ended with a late dinner.

The club will continue their rigorous training over the next three weeks as they prepare for the 50th Annual Brentwood Regatta to be hosted April 29th to May 1. We hope that parents, alumni, and friends will join us for this wonderful extravaganza of rowing, music, food, and reunion.

We’re back!!

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