Kingston Rowing Club

🇨🇦🍁 Happy Canada Day from the Kingston Rowing Club! 🍁🇨🇦

Today we’re celebrating everything that makes Canada great—beautiful waterways, amazing communities, and just enough headwind to keep rowers humble. 😉

Whether you’re paddling, rowing, BBQ-ing, watching fireworks, or simply relaxing with family and friends, we hope your day is filled with laughter, maple treats, and plenty of Canadian pride.

Here’s to strong strokes, calm waters (or at least manageable ones!), and a summer full of adventures on the water.

From all of us at the Kingston Rowing Club, have a safe, fun, and unforgettable Canada Day!

❤️ Happy Canada Day! 🇨🇦🚣

Simply perfection

We are excited to be involved in this year's Beach Sprints events this summer - stay tuned for more details of the event at Grass Creak Park in August!

💙 Thank You, Play! Ontario! 💙

The Kingston Rowing Club would like to extend our sincere thanks to Play! Ontario for their continued support of our youth rowing programs.

Their funding helps make rowing more accessible for young athletes in our community, creating opportunities for participants to learn new skills, build confidence, develop lifelong friendships, and discover a passion for sport.

We would also like to recognize and thank all of the parents, athletes, alumni, and friends of the club who generously volunteer their time at local bingo events. Every shift worked helps generate funding that directly supports our programs, equipment, and opportunities for youth rowers.

Your commitment behind the scenes has a lasting impact on the experiences we are able to provide on the water.

Together, through community support and volunteerism, we are helping the next generation of rowers thrive.

Thank you for being part of our rowing family! 🚣‍♀️🚣‍♂️

Happy Father's Day to all the dads and male supporters of our rowers!

Pulling Beside Me

Dad,

You never sat in my boat,
never took an oar in your hands,
yet you've been in every race
I've ever rowed.

You were there in the early mornings,
when the sun hadn't found the water yet,
driving quiet roads,
coffee in hand,
while I chased a dream downstream.

You stood on docks in the rain,
on shorelines in the wind,
at finish lines where I could barely see you,
but somehow always knew where to look.

You celebrated the victories,
the medals,
the personal bests,
but more importantly,
you stayed through the tough rows—
the missed catches,
the disappointing races,
the days I wondered if I belonged.

You taught me that strength
isn't just found in powerful strokes,
but in showing up,
again and again,
even when nobody notices.

Every kilometre I've rowed
has been carried by your encouragement,
your patience,
your sacrifices,
and your belief in me.

So today, Dad,
I want you to know
that while my name may be on the results sheet,
there's a piece of every accomplishment
that belongs to you.

Thank you for the rides,
the advice,
the support,
and the love that never wavered.

The river has taken me many places,
but the greatest gift
has been knowing that no matter how far I row,
I'll always have you beside me.

With love and gratitude,

Your rower

It was a super busy day down at the water today! We welcomed some youth and their boats from Ottawa to launch and head up the river! Hope they stayed as dry as possible!

🚣‍♀️ Ever thought about trying rowing?

Here's a secret: every rower you see gliding across the water started exactly where you are now.

We all started in the same boat.

Whether you're looking for a new way to stay active, meet great people, enjoy Kingston's beautiful waterfront, or simply try something different this summer, the Kingston Rowing Club Recreational Rowing Program is the perfect place to start.

✅ No experience necessary
✅ All fitness levels welcome
✅ Learn new skills in a supportive environment
✅ Tuesday & Thursday evening sessions available in July and August

Rowing is one of those rare sports where fitness, friendship, fresh air, and sunsets all come together.

So what are you waiting for? Your seat in the boat is waiting.

🚣 July Session – Tuesdays & Thursdays Evenings
🚣 August Session – Tuesdays & Thursdays Evenings

Learn more and register:
https://www.kingstonrowingclub.com/recreational

🎉 Happy Birthday, John Armitage! 🎉

Today, the Kingston Rowing Club celebrates one of the most important people in our history — our founder, mentor, and lifelong champion of rowing, John Armitage.

John's vision, dedication, and countless hours of volunteer service helped build the foundation of the club we know and love today. Generations of rowers have benefited from his leadership, passion, and commitment to making rowing accessible to our community.

Whether on the dock, in a coach boat, at a regatta, or sharing stories from the club's early days, John has always embodied the spirit of Kingston Rowing Club.

On behalf of our athletes, coaches, volunteers, alumni, and members past and present, we wish you a very happy birthday and thank you for everything you have done—and continue to do—for our rowing community.

Please join us in wishing John a wonderful birthday! 🎂🎈🚣‍♂️

Many of our high school competive rowers made it all the way around to the CSSRA regatta where hundreds of Canadian high school rowers are going to compete over the next 3 days. Even though we can’t be there in person, let’s show them some love!

Congratulations to Sean Whitehall on being recognized with the Kiwanis Coach of the Year Award! 🎉🚣‍♂️

Sean’s dedication, leadership, and passion for rowing continue to make a lasting impact on the athletes and families at Kingston Rowing Club. His commitment goes far beyond the boathouse, helping young athletes grow both on and off the water.

As shared by Club Chair Sarah Roth:

“Great coaches do more than teach the game. Sean inspires confidence, builds character and helps shape future leaders. The young athletes that pass through his program leave not only stronger rowers but more disciplined, resilient, and community-minded individuals.”

We would also like to congratulate our youth program rowers, Oliver, Gabriella, and Josie, on their nominations. Your hard work, determination, and sportsmanship make our entire rowing community proud.

What an incredible celebration of leadership, dedication, and the future of sport in Kingston! 💙

Pictured with our club founder and head coach, John Armitage