Rowing concern a growing concern
George W. Dalby never rowed but he would have appreciated the connection and be honoured by the tribute to his memory.
Dalby, whose name was synonymous with horticultural as a Niagara Parks Commission superintendent and as a newspaper columnist who wrote about gardening, would have been pleased to have his name associated with such a growing concern as Niagara Falls Rowing Club.
“As a longtime Rotarian he was always interested in giving back to the community,” his daughter, Carol Thomas, said at a recent boat-christening.
Dalby, who died in 2016, was a member of the Rotary Club of Niagara Falls for 35 years.
His name is written on the bow of a new single the rowing club was able to purchase with a $10,000 donation from the service club.
The boat was one of five christened in a ceremony that celebrated increasing its fleet of singles, doubles, quads and an eight to 16 from 11 boats.
A double honouring the memory of Debbie Skerrett Hepburn, a beloved elementary school teacher who died 24 years ago at age 44, was donated by the family of Mark and Robin Hilmayer.
“She would have loved the sport, and she would have loved the kids, the grit, desire and dedication that everyone of your kids show day in day out,” Robin Hilmayer said of her friend, who taught at the former Bertie Public School in Fort Erie.
Saint Paul Catholic High School in Niagara Falls carried on a tradition by christening a boat in honour of retired principal Jeffery Smith.
Along with A.N. Myer, Greater
Fort Erie and Saint Michael, Saint Paul is one of four high schools with competitive programs rowing out of the Niagara Falls club. Westlane students currently row recreationally.
Club president Tony Arcuri said proceeds from fundraising at Delta Bingo and Gaming were used to purchase a pair.
That boat was christened Chemonda, the original name for Lyons Creek, the body of water on which the club trains, he said.
A quad purchased with a grant from the Ontario Sport and Recreation Community Fund was named Lyons R’oar, a play on words on the present name.
Six oars were donated through the club’s Adopt-an-Oar program.
Two-time Olympian Monika Seymour hopes the shells and the oars will be put to good use.
“It’s a lifelong sport,” she said. “You can row when you’re older, just not as fast.”
Seymour, president of the Ridley Graduate Boat Club, rowed for Canada in a women’s coxed four at the 1976 Summer Olympics in Montreal. She also made the national team four years later but didn’t compete as Canada boycotted the Moscow Olympics.
Founded in 2011, Niagara Falls Rowing Club moved to its current location next to George Bukator Park on Chippawa Parkway three years ago.
Breakdown of its 200 members is 60 per cent youth, 40 per cent adult, said Arcuri, who is also the rowing coach at Saint Paul.