“Oars & Encore: A Celebration of Niagara’s Rowing Community.” Photo Supplied.
As the Niagara Region prepares to host the 2024 World Rowing Championships, the organizing committee behind the event is hosting “Oars & Encore: A Celebration of Niagara’s Rowing Community,” a special evening combining a concert headlined by acclaimed Canadian musician Steven Page with a recognition ceremony honouring key champions in Niagara’s rowing community.
This will be the second time in three months the Juno-award winner and former Barenaked Ladies band member will take the stage at the PAC. Page, along with Moe Berg (The Pursuit of Happiness), Chris Murphy (Sloan) and Craig Northey (Odds) are set to hit the stage for a sold out show on May 7 with The Trans-Canada Highwaymen.
Prior to the concert, champions from Niagara’s Rowing Community will be honoured during a special recognition ceremony at 6:30pm. Platinum Concert Tickets, which include the recognition ceremony, are available for $150 (May 1st is the artist presale, May 3rd for the general public).
The ceremony will shine a spotlight on individuals who have made significant contributions to the sport of Rowing as athletes, builders, or volunteers.
Honourees of the ceremony include:
- Jim Hyman (Builder) – Niagara Falls Rowing Club
- Barb Little (Volunteer) – St. Catharines Rowing Alumni
- Rhiannon Zahorchak (Coach) – Notre Dame Rowing
- Mike Purcer (Builder) – Brock Rowing Club
- Don Baker Jr. (Volunteer) – Canadian Henley Rowing Corporation
- Susan Hazell (Volunteer) – Ridley College
- Garry Roscoe (Volunteer) – Henley Island Helpers of the St. Catharines Rowing Club
- Don McSween (Volunteer) – Ridley Graduate Boat Club
- Helen Taylor (Builder) – South Niagara Rowing Club
- Jim Minards (Posthumously) (Builder) – St. Catharines Rowing Club
“We are thrilled to host Oars & Encore: A Celebration of Niagara’s Rowing Community as a precursor to the August 2024 World Rowing Championships,” said Bill Schenck, Chair of the Mega Worlds. “This event not only highlights the exceptional talent and dedication within our rowing community but also provides an opportunity for everyone to come together and celebrate our shared passion for this sport.”
Row Ontario was behind compiling the list as well.
“With the 2024 World Rowing Championships being hosted in St. Catharines in August, the Oars & Encore Celebration is a fitting way to celebrate the outstanding accomplishments of individuals in the Niagara Rowing Community,” Andrew Backer, CEO of Row Ontario, said. “There have been many amazing contributors to the sport of rowing from the Niagara region over the years, and this group of club champions are very deserving of this recognition.”
“It’s fantastic to see all these Niagara-area clubs and organizations represented at the Oars & Encore Celebration and we’re looking forward to seeing them all honoured on July 26. And it goes without saying we’re very excited to see the rowing world come to St. Catharines for the World Championships in August.”
From August 18 to 25, 2024, St. Catharines is set to welcome the world for the 2024 World Rowing Senior, Under 23 and Under 19 Championships at the historic Royal Canadian Henley Rowing Course. Known for its legacy in hosting major competitions, including two previous World Rowing Championships, the Henley Rowing Course will bring together 2,500 athletes from over 80 countries in what is the biggest and most important World Rowing event of the season.
The 2024 World Rowing Championships is being made possible by the funding support of the Government of Canada, the Government of Ontario, including the Ontario Culture and Attractions Fund and the City of St. Catharines.
Rod Mawhood is a lifelong Niagara native who has had the pleasure of working in all three mediums – Radio, Print and TV – for over 20 years. His first announcing gig was with the then St. Catharines Stompers. Since then he’s worked in radio and TV in Toronto, and currently is the announcer for the Niagara IceDogs and Niagara River Lions.
Rod also covers the Buffalo Bills for FOX Sports and the Buffalo Sabres for NBC Sports.
