Competition/ Jul 22

First Ever RowOn Novice Festival a Hit

On Saturday afternoon on the South Course of the Welland International Flatwater Centre the first ever RowOn Novice Festival provided meaningful race opportunities for the competitors and excited the spectators at the same time.

The festival was a part of the 2025 RowOn Championships weekend and provided younger and less experienced athletes the opportunity to participate in the 1x in a time trial followed by a series of 250m or 500m races in a promotion-relegation format. Eligible athletes included those in the U15 category as well as novice athletes of all ages who did not race prior to Sept. 1, 2024.

A total of 61 (31 women, 30 men) athletes representing 11 clubs competed in the festival, which had U15, U17, U19 and U23, and Open age divisions. The short distance race format led to close and exciting finishes and meant spectators lining the banks of the South Course by the finish tower could see the entire race from start to finish, which led to boisterous cheering and applause for the competitors as they raced towards the finish line.

“It’s really entertaining,” said one spectator. “I think it’s great to see the younger kids come in and race and push along with some of the coxies as well. As a Grandma, this was fantastic to watch your Granddaughter row their first competitive race like this. I loved it.”

Row Ontario has been piloting shorter distance race formats over the last two regatta seasons, beginning with the first-ever Row Ontario Cup event last year in Ottawa. The innovative competition model’s goals are to better align competitions with the Athlete Development Model and the development pathway for rowing in Ontario and create a format that promotes co-learning opportunities as they relate to the roles and responsibilities of athletes, coaches, umpires, and volunteers during a regatta.

RowOn Novice Festival Medalists

U15 Men