Aerial View of an Eight Rowing Down the St. John
Above Don Dickenson and Jane Rumball - 2006 Endurance Tour Participants
Pat Cody, Former National Team Member
A Small Flotilla of Shells Rowing Down River
Sunday October 1, 2006 marked the First Endurance Tour from the Fredericton Rowing Club to the Two Rivers Rowing Club on the Oromocto/St. John River. Rowers from the Fredericton Rowing Club, and the Kennebecassis Rowing Club set out on the calm water of the St. John River towards the mouth of the Oromocto River approximately 20 km's away.
One of the first rowers to take to the water was a Fredericton Rowing Club oarsman, Dave Petit, who works as a Combat Engineer at C.F.B. Gagetown (Chemo!) in Oromocto. Dave rowed his single down river and made it to TRRC in just less than two hours. Following behind Dave was a flotilla of quads, pairs, doubles, eights, and singles; 11 boats in total. A number of safety boats followed behind the fleet of shells.
The even was honored to have some very special guests partake. Pat Cody, former National Team Member, and now Senior Coach for FRC, as well as former FRC coach and distinguished athlete, Don Dickenson dusted off their oars to join in the fun. Don is one of New Brunswick's most decorated athletes having been a Henley Royal Regatta and Pan Am Games Champion as well as a two-time Olympian. The event's marquee special guest was, however, Jane Rumball, who returned to her home club fresh from her 2006 World Championship victory in the Women's pair. It is worth adding that Jane had the chance to celebrate her recent win by rowing down the St. John River with her first coach Don Dickenson.
All told, over 50 rowers from novice to masters to world champion, participated in the tour. Every participant was treated to warm sunshin and smooth waters.
The tour ended at New Brunswick's newest Club, The Two Rivers Rowing Club in Oromocto. The rowers were welcomed as they docked by enthusiastic TRRC members and their family. Pat Cody entertained the crowd with an aerobatic display in hissingle as applause and cheers echoed along the waterfront.
Following Pats on water antics, the rowers and their families gathered at the boathouse for a Sunday afternoon feed of downhome hospitality, pictures, and some words of thanks and encouragement from Mr. Charles Thornton, the Chief Umpire for Rowing New Brunswick Aviron, and Two Rivers Rowing Club Coach Tim Sears, who may have shed a tear of joy at the overwhelming success of the event.
