The 2008 Recreational Rowing League is entering its 19th year of providing fun and entertainment to it's members.

The League is pleased to announce that three new rowing shells have been acquired for the League to replace some worn equipment.

In addition, the racing formats have been updated to remove the confusion of “spare races”. All crews will now participate as a team in two races at each regatta, a 1,000 meter race and a 500 meter sprint. Crew members will participate in one or both races.

The success of our Pig Roast at the final race of the 2007 second session will permit a similar event during the first session of 2008 and again during the second session. The year is expected to be very exciting.

Our league can accommodate a limited number of members due to equipment, time and coach availability. Returning members are reminded to return their application forms before May 1 in our first session and August 4th in our second session, after which new members will be welcomed to our program on a “first come” basis.

REGISTRATION – Registration due dates are May 1 for session 1 and August 4th for session 2. 

CREWS – Crews sizes will be determined based on registration levels. Friends may sign up as a group and then the group will be placed with others to fill the team. Individuals are welcome to sign up and will be assigned to teams. Races and practices require a minimum of 9 members.

AGE - Members must be over 21 prior to July 3 - our first race night.

FEES – Our membership fees have been increased by $10.00 per session to partially offset a new $30.00 per member user fee assigned by the CHRC (Canadian Henley Rowing Club). The CHRC fee is associated with the costs of maintaining the facilities used by all rowers. The CHRC fee is being collected by the League on behalf of the CHRC. The League will recover the balance of the $30.00 CHRC fee through some changes to the Rec program that have little or no impact on the Rec experience.

Membership Fees provide coaching and water time, the closing banquets, the team shirts, food on race nights and gold/silver/bronze/copper medals for all. Race night food in both sessions include a “Pig Roast” at the fifth race, a pizza night and three barbecues. Payment is required prior to members being placed on teams. Refunds, less a $50 administration fee, will be available until crews begin “on water” practices. No refunds are available after “on water” practices begin.

PRACTICE SESSIONS – Dates and times will be scheduled in advance by our Scheduler – Gary Roscoe. Practice times are assigned in two hour sessions during weekday evenings and weekend days. Team members will be advised of their practice times and race time commitments on Information Night. “On water” practices require the attendance of a qualified coach following the shell in an assigned coach boat. Use of Brock University’s Rowing Tank is available to crews with time appointments organized through our scheduler – Gary Roscoe.

RACE NIGHTS  - Require a minimum of four females “rowing” in each boat. Coxies must be qualified or have attended the current year Coxie Clinic (see key dates). Crews will participate in two races each evening, a 1,000 meter race and a 500 meter sprint. Crew members will participate in one, or both, of the races, depending on crew attendance.

EQUIPMENT – All practices and races will use “8’s” in assigned boats. For 2008, three new “8's have been purchased for the League to replace worn equipment.

RACING FORMAT – Schedules for the first four races will be posted in advance of each week’s race. Points will be assigned to crews based on finishing position in both races. Following the fourth race, crews will be sorted into point order. Final day races will be arranged based on total point standings. In addition, the racing formats have been updated to remove the confusion of “spare races”. All crews will now participate as a team in two races at each regatta, a 1,000 meter race and a 500 meter sprint. Crew members will participate in one or both races.

BANQUET – Both session banquets will be held at the Quality Inn, Ontario Street, St. Catharines. Banquet information is available through our Banquet Coordinator – Kristine Broughton, 905-934-6803.

PRACTICES FOR NOVICE ROWERS – for “novice rowers”, three scheduled Brock Rowing Tank practices followed by three scheduled “on water” practices have been arranged. This will provide novice members or those relatively new to rowing (who want some preliminary training) a running start on the session practices. On-line registration for these practices is required.