The Grimsby Eagle Rowing Team has a long tradition of excellence including 8 national high school championships (CSSRA) and 3 Stotesbury Cup victories (the largest and most competitive high school competition held in Philadelphia, PA every year). Three of our recent graduates have gone on to make the national rowing team including Chris Jarvis ( 2004 Athens Olympics, 2005, 2006 World Rowing Championships), Jeff Bujas ( 2003-2006 World Championships- Silver & Bronze Medalist Lightweight Men’s Quad) and Brandon Batey ( Bronze Medalist 2004 Junior World Rowing Championships Men’s 4+. Brandon is currently attending Boston University on a rowing scholarship. Connie Dayboll (2004) currently at Queen’s University won 2 golds as a member of Team Ontario at the 2005 Canada Games in addition to her 4 golds at the Canadian Henley that summer. This past summer she competed at the national speed order trials in Victoria B.C. and narrowly missed making the under 23 team.

More recently, a senior member of our team made the Canamex Squad this summer and won 2 golds in the men’s 8 and 4 respectively in Mexico. Five eagle rowers captured Henley gold this summer. These victories came on the heels of an outstanding high-school season where our rowers captured Silver in the Men’s 72 Kg. 4+, Bronze in the Men’s 64 Kg. 4+, 4th in the Senior Men’s 2- and 6th in the Junior Men’s 4+ at the CSSRA Championships.

For those interested in joining the rowing team, sign-ups generally occur during the 2nd-3rd week of November ( listen for the annoucements over the P.A. ). The rowing season can be divided into 2 separate and distinct periods. Winter training begins in the Spartacus Room (Rm119) in early December and continues through until late March when our crews are selected for on-water training. The on-water competitive season culminates at the CSSRA (Canadian Secondary Schools Rowing Association Championships) held the first weekend of June. During the winter training period we also compete in several rowing ergometer competitions and use the Ontario Ergometer Championships ( held annually at Ridley College the first Sunday of March ) for final crew selection. The training for rowing is very demanding as is the commitment to the sport. When our on-water training period begins we row 6-7 days per week including weekends when most regattas (competitions) take place. Rowing fees are due in early March once crew selection has occurred. The fee is assessed by the St.Catharines Rowing Club and was $165 this past year. In addition if athletes are selected to the team they will be required to purchase a Unisuit (racing suit) which costs approximately $85. This high performance rowing apparel is retained for the duration of their rowing career at GSS. Athletes are encouraged to join the Brock indoor rowing facility which generally runs about $30 for a 4 month membership. Additional funds may be collected for out-of-province regattas such as the Stotesbury Cup in Philadelphia to cover the expenses of hotel and travel.

Come out for the team and become part of our winning tradition! Grade 9's are especially welcome.