Weekend Wrap: Rowers Compete at Jack Nicholson Head of the Martindale

Typically held on Mother’s Day weekend in May, the Jack Nicholson Head of the Martindale slotted into the late-summer Ontario rowing schedule this year, taking place on Sunday in St. Catharines.

Hosted at its usual location on Martindale Waterways, the singles only head race started at the 1000m of the Royal Canadian Henley Regatta course. The participants rowed either one lap (4km) or two (8km) depending on the race category. The conditions in St. Catharines were beautiful on Sunday, with perfectly flat water for the 4km race. A breeze picked up later in the day, which resulted in all the rowers who were competing in the 8km race navigating some choppy waters during their second lap.

In the 4km race, category winners included Autumn Crowe from Ridley College, who crossed the line first in the junior women’s category in a time of 16:46.39, Rae Ceccato (St. Catharines Rowing Club) who won the veteran women’s category in a time of 18:19.44 and Eric Szonyi (Hanlan Boat Club) in the veteran men’s category. Szonyi won his category in a time of 15:23.63.

With 22 entries Brock University had the most of any rowing program at the regatta and delivered some strong results in the 8km race. The open men’s, lightweight men’s, and lightweight women’s categories were comprised of all Brock University athletes. Category winners included Sam Stewart (31:13.64) in the open men, Thomas Markewich (30:16.24) in the lightweight men, and Zoe Durcak (34:38.84) in the lightweight women’s category.

Caitlin Pauls of the host Ridley Graduate Boat Club took first place in the open women’s race in a time of 35:09.74 while William Hughes of the St. Catharines Rowing Club won the junior men’s race in a time of 32:00.17.

The regatta marked the 43rd edition of the Jack Nicholson Head of the Martindale. There were 78 entries in the regatta from 13 clubs from across Ontario.

For full results for the Jack Nicholson Head of the Martindale visit RegattaCentral.