Author: Rowing PEI

Rowing PEI is very fortunate to have had another successful application to the Canada Summer Jobs program in 2020, our 5th year in a row!

In July, Sohrab Saegh began working for us as our summer student and you have, no doubt, seen him around the docks and in the safety boat!

Sohrab, or Rob, began rowing in 2019 and is a member of the Canada Games training team, preparing for the 2021 Games in the Niagara region next August.

Sohrab graduated from the international baccalaureate program at Colonel Gray high school in 2020 and will be studying philosophy at UPEI in September, with the goal of law school in a few years.  We are hoping he will head to McGill which has a great rowing program!!

Until then, Sohrab will be busy this summer, learning rigging, boat and oar maintenance and other valuable skills, under the guidance of head coach Chantelle Hanley. He will also be training as a Learn to Row coach, and has been an important member of our LTR team in July and August. He also drives the safety boat a lot, for which we are very thankful!

And, of course, other duties as required!  Including inflating giant buoys!!

Rowing PEI would like to acknowledge the support of the Government of Canada in allowing us to hire Sohrab this summer.

August Member Update

Hi Rowing PEI Members!

We hope you have been enjoying the start of the 2020 Rowing season! We’ve now been on the water for just over six weeks and we have even more time ahead of us.

With the opening of the Atlantic bubble, we were thrilled to have our performance coach, Chantelle Hanley join us from New Brunswick. Chantelle supported us through our winter training and it’s even better to have her here in person. If you’re following our Instagram or Facebook accounts, you will often see the juniors out with her in the early morning hours.

As of July 20, we were able to start our Learn to Row program. We saw unprecedented interest in rowing this year and have welcomed 24 new rowers to the club, which has made for a very busy schedule on the water. Luckily, the weather has been in our favour almost every day, allowing everyone to work towards their L2.

Thank you to everyone for adapting so well to this year’s new COVID restrictions. The attention to washing and sanitizing the equipment has been fantastic. We are very lucky to currently have no known active cases on the Island, but as Dr. Morrison has said “We are not out of the woods and we cannot afford to let our guard down.” Please continue to wash your hands, maintain six feet distance from others and wear your masks when that’s not possible – and always on the dock.

Please also continue to follow the self-assessment checklist and stay home should you develop any symptoms.

For the month of August, we are making some small changes to the schedule. We will no longer have rowing Mondays or Wednesdays after 6pm. Those days are race nights for the Yacht Club and it has proven too busy near the marina to operate safely. In order to open up a few more time slots, we will divide Tuesday and Thursday evening into two rows: 5:30-7:00pm and 7:00-8:30pm. Please ensure you allow time to return to the docks and wash your equipment before the next row starts.

Keep an eye on Signup Genius! We will add additional rows where possible. Let us know if there is a time you would like to row that is not currently available and we will do our best to accommodate where possible.

As I’m sure many of you already predicted, we have officially cancelled the Red Island Regatta for 2020. Events are currently not sanctioned by Rowing Canada and so we will not be able to go forward with this year’s event. We look forward to welcoming you and rowers from across the Atlantic to the 2021 Red Island Regatta!

If you have suggestions for how we can do anything better, please let us know. And, we’re always looking for extra support, so if you have time to volunteer, please reach out!

Your Rowing PEI board – Sparrow McGowan, Nancy Russell, Brian Higgins, Alex Forbes, Daphne Dumont, Jamie Moran and Alan Hilburg

Thanks to the Canada Summer Jobs 2020 program, Rowing PEI is looking to hire a Rowing Program Coordinator.

Here are the details.

Position:  Rowing Program Coordinator

Conditions of employment:

8 week contract, 35 hours per week (varied hours/weeks)

Salary $ 13.00/hr

Start date June 15, 2020

Location of employment: Charlottetown Yacht Club (CYC) on the Charlottetown waterfront and Brudenell Resort

Job summary

Rowing Prince Edward Island  is the non-profit provincial governing body for the sport of rowing in Prince Edward Island.

The successful applicant will assist in:

-providing rowing instruction and training times for members of Rowing PEI

-promoting the sport of rowing to the public

-assisting with the additional cleaning and sanitizing protocol as described in the club’s “return to rowing” plan, as submitted to the Chief Public Health Office and Sport PEI

Daily duties would include maintaining equipment, assisting with launching of boats, ensuring all safety policies of the club are being followed by all participants, operating the safety boat, and providing Learn to Row Coaching. 

Administrative duties will include maintaining logs of all boats on the water, when launched and when returned, and noting any damage or maintenance required by the rowing shells as well as the safety boat. 

Other duties would include the installation and removal of marker buoys to establish training and racing courses on the water.

-Assisting with the organization and delivery of our national sanctioned rowing regatta to be held August 22 and 23, 2020 *pending permission from Chief Public Health Office

Job requirements

The position will require the following qualifications, or willingness to obtain them as part of the summer employment:

-a valid pleasure craft operator’s licence;

-first aid training certificate;

-boat safety training; *will be provided

-LTR coach training or rowing experience;

-valid driver’s licence

The applicant must be between 15 and 30 years of age.

The applicant must be a Canadian citizen.

Other Skills:  Experience in client services and/or coaching a team

Bilingual an asset

Applicants must be able to swim

*The successful candidate will also need to obtain a Criminal Record Check. Rowing PEI will pay for the online application fee.

Application: Please send a letter and a resume to rowingpei@gmail.com

Deadline to apply: June 10, 2020

NOTICE OF ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING – ROWING P.E.I.

The Annual General Meeting of Rowing P.E.I. will take place on Saturday March 30, 2019.

ALL MEMBERS ARE WELCOME and encouraged to attend.  Family of rowers and others interested in our sport are also most welcome.

Date:  SATURDAY March 30, 2019

Time: 10:00 a.m. – noon and we plan to go for lunch afterwards!

Place: House of Sport, Royalty Centre

40 Enman Crescent (a left turn off University Avenue after UPEI and before Staples, then turn right. Next to Charlottetown Rural)

Room Room 125, first floor

Come and find out about our plans for the 2019 season, including the return of the Red Island Regatta and our new Skills and Drills program.

Thanks – and be sure to save the date!

Daphne Dumont – President, Rowing PEI

The minutes from the 2018 AGM are pasted below.

2017 Annual General Meeting – Rowing PEI
March 17, 2018 10:00 a.m. House of Sport Royalty Centre

Present: Michael Gibson, Daphne Dumont, Nancy Russell, Brian Higgins, Dinah Arviko, Ernie Morello, Heather MacKinnon, Stephen Murray, Stephen Mellish, Joeanne Woodard, Russ Bryden, Lea Bryden.

1. Call to Order:
   Daphne Dumont called the meeting to order at 10:15
   The official quorum is four members and 12 were present.
2. Agenda:
   The agenda was circulated and approved as presented.
3. Approval of Minutes of 2017 Annual Meeting:
   Moved by Nancy Russell, seconded by Michael Gibson that the minutes of the 2017 annual meeting be formally approved.
   Carried unanimously.
4. Business Arising:
   None that would not be dealt with during the reports
5. Reports:

5.2 Treasurer – Brian Higgins
(a) The Treasurer reviewed the annual statement of the 2017 year in detail.
He responded to questions from members about a contingency fund of some sort. We have about $9.5 k available if needed.
Question: at what point are we going to depreciate the assets. Board will take this on as a task.
Also need to finalize detailed inventory that was done in summer 2017. Board will also take this on.
Loan for quad will be paid off in mid-April. That will make us debt-free.
Moved by Brian Higgins, seconded by Michael Gibson that the 2017 annual statement of Rowing PEI be approved. Carried unanimously.

(b) The 2018 draft budget was circulated by the Treasurer.
Brian noted that we took in $30,000 and spent the same. He projects that number will be lower this year without the Canada Games income and expenses.
He highlighted that membership revenues were $2,000 more than projected because of the number of LTRs . 31 in 2017.
Ernie suggested we need to take a close look at maintaining and repairing the docks. Assess if they need work. They will deteriorate. Andrew at the CYC takes care of their docks.
Suggestion was made to have a look at them. Ernie will make contact with Andrew to have a look at them.
Our docks are from 2009 Games. There are 3 low profile and a finish and start and starter blocks in the woods at Brudenell. We sold 3 starter docks. They were the property of Canoe Kayak, which we were part of.
They could still be valuable if we could get them floated.
The board will continue to pursue this as a possibility.
Boat expenses are higher because we kept some wooden boats from Joyce’s barn. The board has agreed to store them for one year. But if nothing is done be fall, we will dispose of them.
Daphne – has to be part of the useful fleet.
There are two quads.
Heather did the repair clinic at the RCA Conference. We also have offers of help from Peter in New Brunswick.
Also discussed potential of selling them.
Moved by Brian Higgins, seconded by Michael Gibson that the detailed 2018 budget be adjusted as circulated

(c) Moved by Brian Higgins and seconded by Michael Gibson that Todd Gaudin continue to act as our accountant for 2017-2018 year.
Need a signed form from RCA that money comes from federal government. Has to be 40 per cent from government sources to get rebate.
If our income is not from government, then we will have to charge HST.
The board needs to deal with this immediately.
What about the threshold of gross revenue.
Brian will check with our accountant Todd Gaudin.

5.3 Competitive Program and “blue sky” recommendations – presentation of report by Lea Bryden.

5.4 Coastal Program – 2017 and 2018 plans – Nancy
New punch card system for 2018 – offer 4 rows for $100 with possibility of renewing
Double on the dock and reconfigure the dock
New L2 training in 2018 – focus on hospitality and customer service
LTR certification – continue to offer LTR on demand
Rowing the World – Canada Day weekend
World coastal championship in Victoria BC – training camp

5.5 Regattas (indoor/outdoor)
First Red Island Indoor Rowing Challenge in February 2018 – about a dozen participants. Brought ergs to the Stratford Town Hall. Southport Room. Borrowed USB hub from Row Nova Scotia to run Concept 2 racing Program. Thanks to Stephen Mellish for computer wizardry. Hope to grow the event in 2019.

2018 Red Island Regatta – Russ Bryden co-chair
Budget and Regatta package have been approved by the board.
Package has been sent to Chief umpire Linda Lee.
Regatta Central system is still in the works.
Working on the anchor screws at Brudenell.
Want to make money in the event.
Same format as last year.
Saturday August 25th and Sunday August 26th

6. Bylaw Changes – Daphne
   Amendment to the amendment
   Change wording:
   To continue to act as the
   Motion – that the proposed bylaw amendment be passed as amended.
   Moved by Stephen MURRAY, seconded by Russ Bryden.
7. Nominating Report –
   Members at large: Joeanne Woodard, Lea Bryden (liaison with flatwater task force)

Secretary – Nancy Russell (2nd of 3 years)
Treasurer- Brian Higgins (1 of 5 years max)
President- Daphne Dumont (2 of 3 years max)
We have approved the slate as nominated.
Daphne officially thanked Mike Gibson for his years of service and presented him with a gift.

5.1 President’s Report – Daphne Dumont
There will be a refresher for officials after extensive changes to the Rules of Racing. That will involve Stephen MURRAY, Mary Lynne Bruvels, and Daphne. There is money in the budget.
Great welcome to visiting rowers. This matters as they help spread the word.
Great social events.
Hired a summer student. Thanks to Ernie for application. We have applied again in 2018, with emphasis on the Regatta.
Shannon MacAulay- training for 6 months in Halifax with Pat Coady through RBC Training Ground
Emily Cameron is getting married in September on P.E.I. Congrats to her and Ollie.

8. Other Business
   Registration in person will be Saturday April 28th 10-2 at House of Sport Royalty Centre
   Stephen Murray- we need to do succession planning for officials and coaches. The board will take this on as a project in 2018.
9. Adjournment:
   Adjournment there being no further business, the meeting adjourned.
   Minutes taken by board member Nancy Russell

Proposed Bylaw Amendments for Rowing PEI 2017 Annual Meeting — March 17, 2018

1. Addition to “Objects and Purposes”: MOVED that the following object be added to the objects and purposes of the corporation, as #5;
2. To act as the Provincial Sport Organization for the sport of rowing in P.E.I., provided this continues to be permitted by the province and by Rowing Canada.)

2: Reorganization of the Board of Directors: MOVED that Section 6(a) (Board of Directors) be amended to read as follows:

6.(a) The Board shall be comprised of three elected officers as well as one to six members at large, two of whom shall serve as:

(a)     Liaison from the Coastal Rowing Committee; and

(b)     Liaison from the Regatta Committee.

The officers shall be: (i) President;

(ii)     Secretary; and

(iii)   Treasurer.

The immediate Past-President may fill one of the member-at-large positions for one year, but may not vote.

Rowing Program Coordinator                                     

Position Rowing Program Coordinator

Conditions of employment 8 weeks contract, 30 hours per week (varied hours/weeks)
Salary $ 11.55/hr
Start date June 1, 2018  

Location of employment Charlottetown Yacht Club (CYC) on the Charlottetown waterfront
Brudenell Resort

Job summary

Rowing PEI is the non-profit Provincial governing body for the sport of rowing in Prince EdwarD Island. The successful applicant will be assisting in:

-the organization and delivery of our second national sanctioned rowing regatta to be held August 25 and 26

-the promotion of the sport to the public and tourists.

Daily duties would include maintaining equipment, assisting with launching of boats, ensuring all safety policies of the club are being followed by all participants, operating the safety boat, and providing Learn to Row Coaching. Administrative duties will include maintaining logs of all boats on the water, when launched and when returned, and noting any damage or maintenance required by the rowing shells as well as the saftey boat. Other duties would include the installation and removal of marker buoys to establish training and racing courses on the water.

Job requirements

The position will require:
-a valid pleasure craft operator’s license;
-first aid training;
-water rescue training;
-LTR coach;
-valid driver’s license

Education Post-secondary student in the current and upcoming year

Other Skills Experience in client services and/or coaching a team

Bilingual an asset

Applicants must be able to swim

Application Please send a letter and a resume to ernie.morello@gmail.com by May 26, 2018.