Weekend Wrap: Two Head Races Run
A combined 641 entries populated two head races in Ontario this weekend, as the Head of the Welland Five Bridges Fall Classic took place from Welland and the Head of the Rideau took place in Ottawa.
The Head of the Rideau was celebrating a historic anniversary as this year was the 50th year of the annual event. The head race was a draw for clubs from near and far, as the 28 clubs who attended the event came from Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick, and New York, as well as a rower each from El Salvador and Colombia. The event took place on Sunday, Sept. 29 on the Rideau River.
The host Ottawa Rowing Club had the most entries in the event with 51 and came out on top of the gold medal standings with 16 first place finishes. Other Ontario clubs with gold medals included the Ottawa Gee-Gees (4), Peterborough Rowing Club (3), Carleton Ravens (3), Trent Excalibur (3), RMC Paladin (2), and Kingston Rowing Club (2). The event featured a mix of recreational, masters, varsity, junior and open events across a variety of race categories.
Meanwhile in Welland the Head of the Welland, hosted by the South Niagara Rowing Club took place on Saturday on the North Course of the WIFC. Like its counterpart in Ottawa, the Head of the Welland also featured a wide variety of race divisions and categories and was well-attended with 358 entries from 29 clubs. Most of the clubs came from across Ontario, but American clubs from New York, Virginia and Michigan were also represented.
Topping the gold medal standings at the event was the Notre Dame Rowing Club with 13. The St. Catharines Rowing Club and Niagara Falls Rowing Club were next with eight, followed by the Hanlan Boat club with 6 and the Ridley Graduate Boat Club with five. Other Ontario clubs earning first place finishes were the Argonaut Rowing Club (4), Don Rowing Club (3), Leander Boat Club (3), LaSalle Rowing Club (2), Ridley College (1), Branksome Hall (1), Georgian Bay Rowing Club (1), South Niagara Rowing Club (1), and Orillia Rowing Club (1).
For full results from the Head of the Welland, visit RegattaCentral
For full results from the Head of the Rideau, visit RegattaCentral
For the full regatta schedule in Ontario, visit the Row Ontario website.
