Row Ontario Announces 2025 Annual Award Winners
Row Ontario recognized outstanding accomplishments during the 2025 rowing season on Monday with the announcement of the 2025 Row Ontario Annual Award Winners.
The deserving group of award winners from the Ontario rowing community included athletes, clubs, coaches, umpires and volunteers as eight annual award winners were announced, along with 52 long service recipients and 35 volunteer certificate recipients.
Row Ontario 2025 Award Winners
Athlete of the Year – Riley Watson, Peterborough Rowing Club / Brock University
Competitive Coach of the Year – Scott Feddery – Queen’s University Rowing
Learn to Row / Recreational Coach of the Year – Rebecca Orr, Argonaut Rowing Club and Kendall Rose, Peterborough Rowing Club
Chair’s Award – HUDSON
Club of the Year – London Western Rowing Club
Umpire of the Year – Margy Braga & Tom Boyer
Umpire Lifetime Achievement Award – George Darte
Performance of the Year – Masters Women’s 8+, Toronto Sculling Club
About the Winners
Athlete of the Year – Riley Watson, Peterborough Rowing Club / Brock University
Riley Watson had a season filled with podium finishes competing with both the Peterborough Rowing Club and Brock University but began his season by qualifying the men’s single for Canada at the Junior Pan American Games Qualifying event in March. In the summer rowing season, he earned four medals at the 2025 RowOn Championships, including two golds (U23 8+, U23 4x) and placed first in the U23 lightweight single at the Royal Canadian Henley Regatta. He also placed first in the Open single representing Team Ontario at the Canada Cup Regatta, helping Team Ontario win the Provincial Points Title.
Competing with the Brock Badgers in the university rowing season, Watson was dominant on the course, earning two golds (LWT 2x, LWT 8+) at the OUA Rowing Championships, and two golds (LWT 2x, LWT 4+) and a silver (LWT 1x) at the Canadian University Rowing Championships. He was named both OUA and CURC Male Athlete of the Year thanks to his performance at both Championship events. He also helped Brock earn their fifth consecutive OUA Rowing Championship banner and finish in second place at CURC.
Off the regatta course, Watson immediately became involved in helping in the junior rowing program at the PRC when he returned in the Spring, which included everything from boat rigging to coach boat organizing, to helping in the development program, to safety boat driving and support in coaching the advanced athletes.
Competitive Coach of the Year – Scott Feddery, Queen’s University Rowing / Kingston Rowing Club
As Head Coach of Queen’s University Rowing, Scott Feddery helped deliver one of the most successful seasons in the program’s history. Under his leadership, the Gaels earned their first national women’s banner at the Canadian University Rowing Championships since 2007 and the first by an Ontario school since 2017. A week prior to the national championship, the Gaels women’s team earned their third consecutive OUA Championship in an outstanding team performance.
Feddery also served as Performance Coach with the Kingston Rowing Club where he supported competitive athletes across multiple age groups. In both of this coaching roles, he has built a high-performance environment grounded in accountability, technical precision, and athlete trust. His ability to align training plans with individual athlete needs while maintaining collective standards has resulted in meaningful performance gains and sustained motivation throughout the season. Athletes under his guidance consistently demonstrate improved technical execution, race confidence, and a strong commitment to team success.
Recreational / Learn-to-Row Coach of the Year – Rebecca Orr, Argonaut Rowing Club & Kendall Rose, Peterborough Rowing Club
In 2025, Rebecca Orr continued to grow and develop the Argonaut Rowing Club’s already successful para program. Throughout the year, she assessed and classified a dozen newcomers at try-it sessions, ran training sessions for guide rowers and other club volunteers, coached learn-to-row sessions for new para rowers as well as autistic youth, led the para winter training program and coached one-on-one sessions with existing para rowers at club throughout the week and on weekends. She also took part in the Canadian Women and Sport training and helped obtain a grant from CWS that included subsidies for para learn-to-row sessions and club memberships. A long-time Argo’s member, Orr is always generous with her time and accommodates the schedules of the rowers wherever possible while balancing her own work and family commitments.
Kendall Rose became a certified RCA Learn-to-Row coach in 2025 and helped drive participation and engagement at the Peterborough Rowing Club. Among her accomplishments last year included creating and running her own program at the club, which resulted in a 100% retention rate with the athletes in the program, developing a PRC coaching handbook from scratch, managing, coaching and competing at the Head of the Trent Regatta, mentoring and supporting eight new coaches at the club, and running the PRC’s social media accounts, which has led to the club gaining more traction online and an increase in followers. Additionally, the club has had a 55% growth rate in recreational league memberships since Rose took over the role as well as an 85% retention rate. She also ran free Try-It days at the club which attracted over 50 people to try out the sport.
Chair’s Award – HUDSON
Since 1981, HUDSON has been an essential contributor to the advancement of rowing in Ontario, and their leadership this past year has been particularly noteworthy. As an Ontario‑based manufacturer employing Ontarians, HUDSON plays a role not only in the sport’s development but also in supporting the province’s broader economic and industrial landscape. Their continued support of the Ontario NextGen Performance Centre (ONGPC) has also strengthened the province’s high‑performance pathway and elevated the development environment for emerging athletes by ensuring consistent access to world‑class equipment.
HUDSON has also demonstrated a commitment to coach education and community development, most recently through their role in bringing Arshay Cooper to the RowOn Coaching Conference this past December and their ongoing support of his inclusion‑focused initiatives through significant boat donations in other rowing communities outside of Ontario. Initiatives like Arshay’s have the potential to broaden Ontario’s rowing talent pool and, most importantly, expand access for equity‑deserving athletes. HUDSON’s investment in this work reflects a meaningful and forward‑looking vision for the sport. Their commitment extends nationally as well, including support for the Rowing Canada Aviron NextGen U19 and U23 national teams through the provision of high‑quality equipment—further demonstrating their dedication to athlete development.
Through these contributions, HUDSON has made a positive impact through partnership, and leadership of the highest standard, making them a highly deserving recipient of the 2025 Row Ontario Chair’s Award.
Club of the Year – London Western Rowing Club
The London Western Rowing Club was honoured for their exceptional year on and off the water with the Row Ontario Club of the Year award. All programs at the club experienced meaning growth, starting in the spring where the high school program expanded by 40%. The recreational program grew from five to 18 participants, while the learn to row program also more than doubled in size, going from 18 to 44 participants. The club also piloted a successful women’s-only learn-to-row program which attracted 16 participants.
The growth in the programs was brought on by hard work behind the scenes by the club’s dedicated coaches and volunteers. The number of volunteers at the club also increased, thanks to an active parents’ group that was essential in running the London Western High School Invitational Regatta. The LWHSI also experienced growth, increasing by 25 entries and welcoming clubs from Ontario and the US to Fanshawe Lake. The club also made investments in staffing and equipment, hiring a part-time manager for the club and adding a new HUDSON 4+/x heavyweight to their fleet as well as some ergs and safety equipment. Some other highlights from 2025 at the LWRC included hosting an indoor training day run by Al Morrow for high school athletes which also welcomed coaches from Western, Brock and McMaster, hosting high school athletes from the Bahamas in advance of the LWHSI Regatta, running a 1x rowing camp led by Volker Nolte, and prioritizing coach development through subsidies for RCA Learn-to-Row and RCA Coach certifications.
LWRC athletes were also impressive in competition in 2025, entering 38 events during the summer season in U17, U19, U23, Open, and masters categories. The club’s master’s program continued their success on the water as well, winning multiple events at the Tony Biernacki Sr. Memorial Regatta and RowOn Masters Championships. Internationally, four LWRC masters rowers represented the club at the World Rowing Masters Regatta in Banyoles, Spain. Across ten entries, they medaled in every event, capturing eight gold and two silver medals.
Umpire of the Year – Margy Braga & Tom Boyer
Margy Braga is a dedicated umpire who has been counted on to volunteer at regattas across the province at all times of the year. She skillfully applies her knowledge of the rules of racing to ensure all races are run in a fair and safe manner. Well-respected by her peers, Braga applies her vast rowing and coaching experiences to her application of the rules of racing. Although not an official mentor, Braga consistently embraces new umpires to welcome them to the regatta and provide any information or guidance to help them successfully execute their umpiring duties and have a positive experience.
Tom Boyer is a long-time dedicated volunteer as a Canadian and US umpire who has volunteered across Ontario and the United States. He utilizes his vast rowing knowledge to the events he umpires in and provides valuable insights and recommendations to the juries he serves on. This allows him to support athletes who may be struggling to prepare to race to keep the regattas moving and ensuring that athletes have a safe, fair and positive race experience. Boyer is respected by his peers and uses his coaching experience to provide guidance and mentorship to new umpires and is an asset to every regatta he attends.
Umpire Lifetime Achievement Award – George Darte
An umpire for more than 30 years, Darte has been a respected administrator, coach, athlete and umpire in the Niagara Region and across Ontario. He is an active recruiter of new umpires and has been an umpire mentor to both associates and developing umpires throughout his umpiring career. Darte can always be relied on to work any umpire station and always has the confidence of the Chief Umpire to deliver his duties with a tremendous knowledge of the rules and in a way that is safe and fair for the competing athletes. He can be found throughout the summer at most major Ontario regattas such as the Royal Canadian Henley Regatta and CSSRA Championships where he generally runs the weigh-in area.
Performance of the Year – Masters Women’s 8+, Toronto Sculling Club
Chosen by an online vote by the Ontario rowing community, the Performance of the Year winner is the Toronto Sculling Club’s Masters Women’s 8+ (Katharine Myler (c), Marisha Roman, Kelley Ainley, Tracy Brooks, Natalie Mills, Tara Hunter, Kate Cochrane Brink, Jeany Ellis, Tracey Black). The crew’s award-winning performance came at the Head of the Charles where they won the women’s eight 50+ category and set a new course record in the process. In the race, they were so fast that they caught and passed four men’s crews from the previous race. Their time was fast enough to have won the women’s eight 40+ division, and to have placed second in the women’s eight 30+. Truly a magnificent race, and fantastic cap on a great season for the crew, which also included victories at the Heineken Regatta in Amsterdam and at the San Diego Crew Classic.
Long Service Awards
Given to participants of a member club who has volunteered in the Ontario rowing community for 15 years or more.
15 Years
John Megarry – Collingwood Rowing Club
Beca Lloyd – Peterborough Rowing Club
Rebecca Brinkman – Peterborough Rowing Club
20 Years
Walter Hill – Barrie Rowing Club
Dave Boyd – Brockville Rowing Club
Brian Howe – Don Rowing Club
Bill Rankin – Georgian Bay Rowing Club
Jeff Garms – Georgian Bay Rowing Club
Diane Barr – Georgian Bay Rowing Club
Ralph Manktelow – Island Lake Rowing Club
Meredith Smith – London Western Rowing Club
Richard Vincent – Ontario Adventure Rowing
Mike Nevills – Peterborough Rowing Club
Gary Fenn – Peterborough Rowing Club
Rayf Shiell – Peterborough Rowing Club
Beverley Cameron – Peterborough Rowing Club
Mario Ventresca – South Niagara Rowing Club
Jim Finley – St. Catharines Rowing Club
25 Years
Derek Vair – Barrie Rowing Club
Shane Curry – Island Lake Rowing Club
Andrew Smith – London Western Rowing Club
Wernher Verbraeken – Niagara Falls Rowing Club
Rhonda Lauer – Orillia Rowing Club
Ed Fournier – Ottawa Rowing Club
Julia Fournier – Ottawa Rowing Club
Scott Taylor – South Niagara Rowing Club
Helen Taylor – South Niagara Rowing Club
30 Years
Kevin Roye – Barrie Rowing Club
Elaine Bursztyn – Barrie Rowing Club
Arnold Vandermeer – Ontario Adventure Rowing
Homam Michael – Ontario Adventure Rowing
John Nelson – Peterborough Rowing Club
Ugette Vanderpost – Peterborough Rowing Club
Spencer Martin – Ridley College Rowing
Siobhan McLaughlin – Ridley College Rowing
Dereck Schwandt – Ridley College Rowing
35 Years
Cheryl Arends – Barrie Rowing Club
Georgia Hess – Barrie Rowing Club
Mark Potter – Barrie Rowing Club
Ramona Turnbull – Barrie Rowing Club
Deanne Moore – Brockville Rowing Club
Lynda Dundas – Don Rowing Club
Glen Burston – London Western Rowing Club
40 Years
Chris Marshall – Brockville Rowing Club
Ernst Peters – Don Rowing Club
Scott Matthews – London Western Rowing Club
Brian Fisher – St. Catharines Rowing Club
50 Years
Tom Kent – Brock Rowing Club
Brian Love – Peterborough Rowing Club
Brian Thorne – St. Catharines Rowing Club
Ken Campbell – St. Catharines Rowing Club
Mike Purcer – St. Catharines Rowing Club
55 Years
Jim Marino – St. Catharines Rowing Club
Club Volunteer Certificates
Presented by member clubs to their hard-working volunteers who have invested countless time and energy into the sport of rowing.
Argonaut Rowing Club
Henry Dillon
Mishaal Ali
Bill McGuire
Dar Corrigan
Adrian Hall
Caireen Ryan
CSSRA
Hilary Huisman
Collingwood Rowing Club
Brenda Smith
Don Rowing Club
Laura Heberle
Ani Altounian
Michael Mendes
Island Lake Rowing Club
Keri Burnside
Val Moore
London Western Rowing Club
Bryan Froese
Ian Boyd
Niagara Falls Rowing Club
Simon Matthews
Ontario Adventure Rowing
Shelagh Baker
Orillia Rowing Club
John & Arlene Jackson
Peterborough Rowing Club
Keith MacIsaac
Ellen Watkins
Beverley Cameron
South Niagara Rowing Club
Robert Flintoft
Catherine Timms
St. Catharines Rowing Club
Aiden Djerfi
Alex Hardy
Dan Corso
Kira Moor
Lauren Kelly
Mia Penetito
Owen Bartel
Joslyn Calloway
University of Toronto Rowing
Dave Wigg
Western Rowing
Leslie Kelley
Welland International Flatwater Centre
Jeff Carl
Wellington Sculling Club
Jennifer Pollock
Certificates and Long Service Award pins will be sent to all clubs who submitted nominations for distribution to their award winners at a later date.
Row Ontario thanks everyone throughout the Ontario rowing community who submitted nominations and/or votes for the 2025 Awards, and for making 2025 a year to remember.
