The Beginning
In the spring of 1975, Mike Weld, Peter Phillips, and Andy Hutchins were looking for a purpose for the old Maple Bay Yacht Club building. Andy and Tom Gavaghan met briefly with the Municipality, and soon after, the building became home to the new Maple Bay Rowing Club for just a dollar a year, with a five-year lease and a grant of $600 per year. In its first year, the Club welcomed 283 members, with Gudy Gudmundseth serving as the first President and Chris Clark as the first official member. That first year was dedicated to planning, building, and painting, with J & C Wrought Iron generously donating time and equipment to construct boat racks, a BBQ spit, and fencing.
A Community Club
From its inception, the Club was not just a place for rowing but also served as a vibrant community hub for Maple Bay. The building hosted a variety of activities, including yoga, aerobics, Maple Bay Painters meetings, and Girl Guides and Brownies gatherings. Social events were a major part of Club life, with celebrations ranging from New Year’s Eve parties to summer formals. These events played a crucial role in raising funds to support the Club, with Joe McGeachy managing the bar up to five nights a week.
New Boats
The Club’s first boats were two wherry fours purchased from the defunct Cliffside School in Shawnigan Lake. These heavy shells required considerable effort just to carry to the water. To finance the purchase, six members signed a loan on behalf of the Club. In 1976, the Club acquired its first brand-new shell, a Pocock “Cedar Speeder” for $3,000. Though originally designed for 160 lb rowers, creative rigging adjustments allowed the Club to make the most of its new boat.We found out later that it was designed for 160 lb rowers but imaginative rigging got us over that hurdle.
The Regatta
The Club held its first sanctioned regatta in 1976 at Art Mann Park, drawing participation from universities and elite crews. By the late 1970s, the Club was even hosting the BC Championships. The regatta, under the leadership of Kathleen Hutchins and a dedicated group of volunteers, grew into a well-organized event known for its great hospitality, excellent food, and well-run races. A highlight of this era was a trip to Green Lake in Seattle, where the Club’s 16-year-old girls’ crew impressively defeated the University of Washington women’s crew by five boat lengths.
Brentwood College hosted an Officials Clinic, leading to members such as Mike Weld, Pam Varty, and Andy Hutchins becoming accredited officials. They officiated not only at Maple Bay’s regattas but also at other rowing events for many years. Later, Tom Gavaghan, Linda Milne, and Sheree Moffatt followed in their footsteps.
Today, the Club’s regatta remains an important event, now dedicated exclusively to junior rowers. Spanning two days, it continues to offer an outstanding experience for athletes and volunteers alike.
School Boys
In 1980, under the presidency of Anne McGeachy, the Club shifted its focus toward youth rowing, recognizing that adult members often lacked the time for serious competition. With the help of teachers Tom Gavaghan, Glenn Harvey, and Bill Murray, the Club introduced rowing programs to local secondary schools, a focus that has remained central to the Club’s mission. These school programs have included trips to prestigious regattas such as the Canadian Secondary School Rowing Championships in St. Catharines.
Anne McGeachy also made history as the Club’s first female president, paving the way for a legacy of strong female leadership. Over the years, the majority of the Club’s presidents have been women, including Jane Phillips, Kathleen Hutchins, and Donna Rozen.
The Masters
The Masters program developed as a way for former rowers to stay active and compete at their own level. Sunday morning rows followed by brunch at the Club or a local café became a tradition, and summer evening rows added to the program’s appeal. The Masters have participated in numerous local regattas, as well as international competitions, including World Masters events in Edmonton and Australia. The program continues to thrive, with participation boosted by the Club’s summer “Learn to Row” programs.
Competitive Success
The Club has helped develop talented rowers who have gone on to compete at the highest levels. Michael Braithwaite (2014) and James Dunaway (2008) both advanced to row at other institutions and eventually represented Canada on the National Team, achieving success at World Championships. Agata Minka (2024) was selected to row for Canada at the Junior World Championships and as part of the CanAmMex team, continuing the Club’s tradition of fostering elite athletes.