September 29, 2005
HEAD OF THE TRENT REGATTA TURNS 35
Tradition has always played an important part in the Head of the Trent regatta. In the early days of the competition, participants would retire to the senior common room at Trent University to sip some sherry as awards were handed out, a ceremony that could occasionally produce some high-profile guests.
"One year, Lester B. Pearson gave out the awards," says Carol Love, the head rowing coach at Trent, recalling one of the more memorable moments in the regatta's lengthy history. "We all sat around drinking sherry with Lester B. Pearson."
A former Prime Minister doesn't show up every year but there is a definite level of prestige and excitement attached to the event, which celebrates its 35th anniversary this Saturday. The Head of the Trent was first conceived in 1970 by Chris Leach, the university rowing club's original president and coach. The following year was the first for the actual competition, with three crews taking part. Today, the Head of the Trent is the largest single day head style race in the country, with approximately 2,000 rowers annually, participating in numerous categories. Because it's become so popular, the cap on the number of boats is 400, with the last of them getting off the river just as the sun sets.
One crew at a time heads down the 4.8-kilomtere long route along the Trent Canal and Otonabee River, finishing at the famous Faryon Bridge by the university. With the regatta being Trent's Homecoming, the school's alumni eagerly return to town to be a part of the festivities. Activities and athletic events are planned and money generated from the massive beer tent and sale of merchandise goes to the Trent rowing team to buy boats and equipment. As far as regattas go, the atmosphere is pretty unique.
"It's a big celebration," says Love, a former Olympian and medalist at the World Championships. "Lots of family and friends line the canal all day watching the race. It's certainly a highlight in the Peterborough community."
The Head of the Trent is also a highlight for the rowers, particularly the novice university athletes, many of whom make their debut at the event. There are 18 novice women's eights and 11 novice men's eights taking part, while the other university competitions on the day include singles, doubles and coxed fours. Love points out that some great rowers have got their start at the university level and gone on to national prominence.
"Each team supports a novice program," says Love. "We know this is important because rowing is a late-entry sport. It's a springboard for athletes trying the sport at the university level."
Love figures that some of the favourites among the university crews include Queen's, who are strong in both the lightweight women's and men's divisions, McGill and on the women's side, Western. It may just be a race for second behind the girls from London. As for Trent, they won the novice division last year and many of those rowers are back for their second year, armed with some more experience.
The regatta has a variety of other divisions, like club, masters, recreational, alumni, high school and championship. Crews come from all over the country and some from the United States, while a regatta regular like Brian Thorne of the St. Catharines Rowing Club, is believed to have rowed in almost every Head of the Trent since its inception. Multiple Olympic gold medal winner Marnie McBean can bee seen in Peterborough on regatta day and even the women's national team makes an appearance.
"They race in the club women's eight - and everybody chases them," Love says with a laugh.
(Source: OUA Communications)
"One year, Lester B. Pearson gave out the awards," says Carol Love, the head rowing coach at Trent, recalling one of the more memorable moments in the regatta's lengthy history. "We all sat around drinking sherry with Lester B. Pearson."
A former Prime Minister doesn't show up every year but there is a definite level of prestige and excitement attached to the event, which celebrates its 35th anniversary this Saturday. The Head of the Trent was first conceived in 1970 by Chris Leach, the university rowing club's original president and coach. The following year was the first for the actual competition, with three crews taking part. Today, the Head of the Trent is the largest single day head style race in the country, with approximately 2,000 rowers annually, participating in numerous categories. Because it's become so popular, the cap on the number of boats is 400, with the last of them getting off the river just as the sun sets.
One crew at a time heads down the 4.8-kilomtere long route along the Trent Canal and Otonabee River, finishing at the famous Faryon Bridge by the university. With the regatta being Trent's Homecoming, the school's alumni eagerly return to town to be a part of the festivities. Activities and athletic events are planned and money generated from the massive beer tent and sale of merchandise goes to the Trent rowing team to buy boats and equipment. As far as regattas go, the atmosphere is pretty unique.
"It's a big celebration," says Love, a former Olympian and medalist at the World Championships. "Lots of family and friends line the canal all day watching the race. It's certainly a highlight in the Peterborough community."
The Head of the Trent is also a highlight for the rowers, particularly the novice university athletes, many of whom make their debut at the event. There are 18 novice women's eights and 11 novice men's eights taking part, while the other university competitions on the day include singles, doubles and coxed fours. Love points out that some great rowers have got their start at the university level and gone on to national prominence.
"Each team supports a novice program," says Love. "We know this is important because rowing is a late-entry sport. It's a springboard for athletes trying the sport at the university level."
Love figures that some of the favourites among the university crews include Queen's, who are strong in both the lightweight women's and men's divisions, McGill and on the women's side, Western. It may just be a race for second behind the girls from London. As for Trent, they won the novice division last year and many of those rowers are back for their second year, armed with some more experience.
The regatta has a variety of other divisions, like club, masters, recreational, alumni, high school and championship. Crews come from all over the country and some from the United States, while a regatta regular like Brian Thorne of the St. Catharines Rowing Club, is believed to have rowed in almost every Head of the Trent since its inception. Multiple Olympic gold medal winner Marnie McBean can bee seen in Peterborough on regatta day and even the women's national team makes an appearance.
"They race in the club women's eight - and everybody chases them," Love says with a laugh.
(Source: OUA Communications)