​Georgian Bay Rowing Club

The Georgian Bay Rowing Club (GBRC) is in full preparation for an exciting summer with a huge boost from the Ontario Trillium Foundation! As a result of the latest stay-at-home order, GBRC was closed from the end of April until the end of May. GBRC, like all athletic clubs, has been deeply impacted by the COVID pandemic, but since March 2020 has made big changes to get back on track! In 2021, GBRC received a grant for $150,000 from the Ontario Trillium Foundation’s resilient community fund. GBRC has used this money to purchase 4 new singles and 2 new coxed-fours along with all of the support equipment for the boats! 

 

The GBRC COVID team was a leader in the development COVID protocols used by clubs across Canada and allowed GBRC to be the first club back on the water in 2020 after the initial shut-down. Since then, members have exclusively been rowing in singles or in household doubles. 

 

One key challenge has been adapting the learn-to-row program to accommodate restrictions and social distancing. To do so, GBRC has made use of Filippi and Hudson recreational singles purchased in the 2019 Trillium grant, which allowed for new members to safely learn and participate at their own pace and comfort in more stable boats, with new one-on-one teaching ratios. “Our learn-to-row program has been successfully adapted during the COVID pandemic. With the purchase of new sculling equipment, thanks to the Ontario Trillium Foundation, we have been able to offer 1:1 instruction using singles. All covid restrictions have been observed. We will continue with this approach in years to come! It was a raging success and much preferred by participants” Said Diane Bar Vice-President of Georgian Bay Rowing Club.

 

GBRC is looking forward to an even better 2021 season, thanks to the support of the Trillium foundation. Along with the equipment GBRC was able to hire 2 staff members to help with our social media presence and the development of racing and rowing COVID policies.  

 

“With the support of the town of Midland, the local, and provincial governments, the Ontario Trillium foundation and our local members “the club” is in great shape for the upcoming season. We have already exceeded our membership numbers from last year and are back on track for this season. With 30 new rowers on the lake this year we are looking forward to another amazing year on Little Lake. None of this would have been possible if not for the Trillium foundation and their support, for that we are so grateful,” said Doug Rourke, President of the Georgian Bay Rowing Club. 

 

GBRC is looking forward to being able to welcome new members throughout the 2021 season and in years to come. If you are interested in signing up or doing a learn to row you can get additional information on our Facebook page, Instagram, our web page, or email georgianbayrowingclub@gmail.com.