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University of Regina rowing: making a fun activity for students
(Source: University of Regina Rowing/Facebook)

University of Regina rowing: making a fun activity for students

REGINA, Saskatchewan — The University of Regina rowing club is the first and only university rowing team in Saskatchewan, Canada. This co-ed student club allows university students to participate in competitive and non-competitive rowing activities.

In addition, the U of R rowing club collaborates with the Regina rowing club and Saskatchewan Rowing to encourage and promote the involvement of students in rowing.

Fortunately, rowing experience is not required as interested students without prior knowledge can seize the opportunity to learn to row. In contrast, experienced students can continue their involvement and impart what they already know about the sport to their teammates. Teams train regularly in preparation for national and provincial indoor and on-water competitions. Most times, training is carried out at the Wascana Marina and Boathouse.

William Bingham is one of the Club’s champions. He made his mark in the U of R rowing club’s history after finishing second place at the 2014 Canadian University Rowing Championship held at Elk Lake, Victoria, British Columbia. The 3rd year engineering student participated in the Men’s 1X category and finished with a record time of 7:39:92 to earn the second position.

The year 2016 was one of the most active seasons of the University of Regina rowing club. Club members attended and participated in several events at local, national, and provincial levels.

One of such was the University Varsity Rowing, which was held at Regina Rowing Club. 

The team also participated in their first regatta for the season – the 2016 Western Canadian University Championship in Burnaby, British Columbia. Team members included Kier Roxas, Joel Steve, Katie Slimmon, Eva Rennie, and Willie Bingham. Then when the 2016 Canadian University Rowing Championship held at Welland, Ontario, commenced in November, the club also sent representatives.

The club was also fully involved in the Rowing Canada’s Canadian Masters Championships Rowing Regatta, an event that took place on the Wascana Park lake. Club members volunteered shifts and lent a helping hand to ensure the success of the regatta.

Fundraisers are organized for the club from time to time to sponsor training and participation in rowing activities. These fundraisers are often fun events with attendees enjoying good music, hot dogs, chips, popcorn, and a great time outdoors. Raffle draws are also a way of raising money to pay for travel costs and other expenses necessary for club members to attend competitive events like national and provincial championships.

Unfortunately, the University of Regina is not getting as much attention as it needs. Hence, the club has been on and off the map for a very long time. However, a couple of people like John Papendreos and former coaches Garrett Mathiason and Robert Blake have worked hard to keep the rowing club going over the years.

Papendreos, who has always supported the club, said, “I think that the rowing club is a perfect fit at the University of Regina.” 

He agrees that the Club has provided University of Regina students with several opportunities to learn rowing at social, recreational, and competitive levels. 

According to him, “A number of U of R students, over the years, have participated in Canadian University Rowing Championships and indoor ergometer competitions and have done exceptionally well.”

University of Regina students, regardless of their experience level or abilities, are encouraged to take advantage of the opportunity the U of R rowing club offers to learn some new skills, get fit, and socialize.

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