the

Newsletter of the McGill University Club Volume XII Issue 1

• President’s Message probably the best decision that I have I am really happy and honoured to ever made. be this year’s president and to be Welcome to the wave edition of spring part of this success story. My goal, 2004! My name is Johanie Marcoux and So I started, like many of our rowers, in is to and share the love of the sport I am very privileged to be a part of an a Novice Crew. Brice Kolko, Head with as many people as possible. incredible group of athletes that we Novice Coach, made my experience We want to improve relations proudly call the McGill University and that of many other novice rowers between different rowing clubs, rowing Team. I am also excited to join extraordinary. This year, he got the and the Friends of McGill Rowing. this year’s executive committee as the recognition he deserved from the OUA On behalf of the executive and the President of the Club. committee – the Novice coach of the entire Crew, we would like to say Year award. Congratulations Brice and thank you for your devoted This all started on a beautiful day in thank you for your dedication and hard September 2002. As I was waiting in line support and generosity. Your work, making the Novice Rowing contributions are indicative of the for my ID card, I saw some people in Program, one of the best! unisuits jumping up and down trying to long lasting tradition of excellence get new and old McGill University I am now a proud member of the that the McGill University Rowing students to tryout for the sport they were Varsity Heavyweight women’s eight Club is so well-known for. If you truly passionate about. And then I and I am enjoying every moment of it. I have any questions, comments, or thought: “Why not! I have nothing to also have the great opportunity to learn suggestions, please don’t hesitate lose!” What I did not know at that time from very talented and knowledgeable to contact the executive was that I had just said goodbye to my coaches: Mike Modolo and Henry committee, coaches or myself. In late mornings in bed, my concentration Hering. Thank you! the meantime, we hope you enjoy in classes and free time. But it was the 2004 issue of the Wave!

My Day at the CIRCs At last, our category had been called up of each athlete's machine, but it Per Unheim to the machines. While I was waiting can be dangerous to spend much anxiously for the clock on the screen to time watching your position in I was back from Toronto, slightly worse count down from 5 to 0, giving us the relation to everyone else when you for wear, but kept afloat by my bronze green light for pain, I was also mentally really have to focus on your stroke medal podium finish at the Canadian reviewing the race plan my coach Brice rate and split time on the monitor Indoor Rowing Championships on had written up for me, knowing that all directly in front of you. Before I th February 8 , 2004. the training and listless waiting was knew it the race was under way. I Any rower would agree with me when I now a thing of the past, and it was time began to watch the meters drop at say that delays are to regattas as red tape to race. alarming speed, an indication that is to any bureaucracy: a constant, a I was pulling too hard in my start The CIRC setup is great for spectators sequence and had to find the guarantee. We started an hour late. because you can see everyone's boat on Dealing with such delays is tough for any equilibrium that I would keep up a giant screen in the middle of the CBC for the entirety of the race. athlete, constantly having to warm up atrium, displaying the race as it would and subsequently cool down several be seen from a blimp over a typical With 500m to go I could feel the times over a span of several hours. regatta. These screens are also in front (Continued on page 3) PAGE 2 WWW.MCGILLCREW.COM VOLUME XII ISSUE 1 Head Coach’s Message I was an athlete, there were several process this fall and will present a crews that included elite or pre-elite proposed roster to the CIS Henry Hering (athletes on the verge of making the membership by summer 2005. As the long winter months in Canadian National Team) athletes. Ultimately the inclusion of rowing as Montreal slowly creep along, the This community plays a significant a CIS sport will raise the profile of MURC athletes are dutifully training role in initiating and developing the university rowing nationwide to a for this spring. The future Canadian National Team status already held by Canadian athletes are sweating away on the Members and what is especially rowing powerhouses like U. Vic, ergs, in the weight room, and the remarkable is that this has been UBC, Brock, and Western, all of , following a training done with so little. which have a tremendous amount of program that involves one to two There are so many successful support from their University and workouts a day. That amount of athletes that have come originally Athletic Department. training volume is required to be from university rowing teams that competitive at the university rowing function on volunteer coaching, In the immediate future, that level, and this is particularly true for alumni financial support, and ad hoc being next season, the varsity men’s the MURC’s upcoming dual meet organization. When compared to the and women’s eight will be stronger with Queen’s University. The MURC rowing powerhouses that are amply than last year. Based on the many Varsity women will have a mighty supported by their universities, it’s potential recruits and transfer task to challenge the OUA difficult to a club like the MURC to students who have contacted the champions, and the Queen’s Varsity compete against them on a level MURC, selection for the two eights Men’s squad have a lot of talent in playing field. will be very competitive given that their lightweight group to form a fast about three quarters of these crews eight to upset for the Challenge A significant bit of news that will have returning members. There Blade. will greatly impact the future are also a few promising novices from performance of McGill Crew, and all this past season who’ll row over the When I look at what’s happening of university rowing, is the summer to contend for a seat in the in the university rowing scene on a upcoming CIS program renewal and varsity eight this fall. From a larger scale, the best Canadian the prospect of rowing becoming a performance point of view for a head university rowers are really at a high sanctioned CIS event. The coach, I’m really looking forward to level in the sport, and this has been Canadian Interuniversity Sport next season and building on our past true for quite some time. Even when (CIS) board will begin their selection results. A note from the FMR welcome Anne-Marie Gerber, Aaron decades. A reunion of this scale is Jason Blair Pape, Jane Maxwell, Gerald Sheehan, long overdue, as we have much to and Sarah Pape to the Board of celebrate. I hope that you are as Bar des Pins was the site of an Directors. Their energy and expertise excited as I am about this prospect. extremely productive Annual General th will be invaluable to the FMR. Please contact one of the directors if Meeting on February 7 , 2004. The you would like to help with this ambiance was a powerful reminder of The most important decision of the project. old friendships and good times! It also meeting related to long-term compelled us to remember how we fundraising. The FMR is currently Before closing, I wish to recognize continue to benefit from our past working on a ten-year plan to ensure our outgoing directors. As president of experiences as McGill rowers. As a that the MURC has the coaching and the FMR, Rob McDowall oversaw last result, the FMR pledged to intensify equipment needed to succeed in its year’s strategic analysis of the MURC. its commitment to the McGill mission. I encourage all alumni to His efforts will benefit the FMR for University Rowing Club, and to a new contribute their ideas to this plan. some time to come. Despite loud generation of leaders. protests, Tony Tremain also decided to The other big news is that the MURC step down from the FMR. We owe The meeting’s vigour was fed from will be hosting the Canadian Tony a great debt for his tremendous multiple fronts. Several directors and University Rowing Championships at contributions over many years. It is alumni traveled from to the Olympic Basin on November 6-7, hard to imagine operating without attend, resulting in a very healthy 2004. The FMR will be supporting him. Thankfully, he has promised to turnout. The MURC executive showed this event, as it is very important to lend us his experience, when required. up in force and motivated us with their the club. We are also thinking of spirit and ambition. The election of organizing a major alumni reunion on 2004 will be an exciting year for the five new directors also generated a lot the same weekend, to thank alumni MURC and its alumni. Please contact of excitement. I am very pleased to for their support over the past three me at [email protected] with VOLUME XII ISSUE 1 WWW.MCGILLCREW.COM PAGE 3 Fundraising Corner Gates as well as checking coats at the off-season, as well as reducing the campus bar all bring in the money and ever-present stress on the rowing Nicholas Phelps the rowers. One spectacular day in late account. However, the current project November brought over 30 rowers to with the biggest money making Hi there- I’m Nick Phelps and I am the main gates for an Erg-A-Thon. In potential is not an event. It is a proud to be serving my second sub-zero temperatures, we rowed a partnership proposal with international continuous term as VP Fundraising. collective 100 000m in just under 8 corporations (including your company) Over the past year, fundraising hours making over $600. for mutual benefit. Another important outside of alumni support has served development was the establishment of McGill Rowing well. First and With six events over the past year we the fundraising committee. Bringing foremost the aim is money, however, have managed to raise over $2500 and together rowers has allowed for without help from the rowers counting. These events often give creative new ways of making money themselves this would be a daunting exposure to students otherwise and really increased our monetary task. An important windfall of unaware that rowing exists at McGill aspirations. Confident in the strength fundraising efforts is the preservation and provides the chance to recruit new and commitment of present and future of camaraderie among rowers. Events rowers. Beyond that, fundraising is an rowers, fundraising goals have been set such as an indoor rowing competition essential part of rowing at McGill; to $10 000 over the next year. in the winter to erging at the Roddick bringing rowers together even in the

(continued from page 1) lean on and was able to walk away margin. My final time was clocked at from the machine which had caused 6:23.3, with the first place finisher from acid burning through my muscles, me such trauma. Brock posting an impressive 6:11.1, and every breath became shorter than (good enough for first place in Canada the last. I began to hate my For the uninitiated, the twenty minutes when compared to the Monster Ergs at provisional coxswain (Gerald following a race are the worst part of UVic held the previous weekend), while Sheehan, of McGill rowing fame) the experience. Nausea, dizziness, the silver medalist from Western came in standing behind me, for screaming headaches and thirst all combine to at a quick 6:16.4. out orders that I couldn't see myself create a perfect storm of discomfort. being able to follow, but with a little The last time I raced in November, I Reflecting back, I'm content with my persistence and masochistic was able to keep things under time and proud of my bronze medal, but determination, I brought the stroke control...or rather, inside. This time, no I know I can go faster. Rowing at the rate up by a precious one or two such luck. Despite not having eaten CIRCs is an experience I would points. Somewhere around this stage since 1:30pm, three hours back, my recommend to anyone, no matter how I made the mistake of looking up at body decided to reject the Chile Con they think they may rank in the end. It’s the screen in front of me, only to see Carne and Power Bar which I had a very useful objective to train for myself slipping away from the boat eaten for lunch. Luckily this made me through the dark winter months and will in second place, but I was still ahead feel much better, and I was able to remind you of all the other dedicated of that which was behind me in stand for what proved to be a very rowers who are training equally as hard fourth. The danger is that if you see short but triumphant two minutes on throughout the country. I can only hope the boat you’re chasing too far in the podium with the two guys who that next year’s MURC representation front to catch, you lose some beat me by an uncomfortably large will be bigger and better. motivation and may not end up pulling as hard as you could if you hadn’t checked the in the first place. Twenty painful yet supremely Per (third from the left) important strokes took me across the vying for a podium line. Once finished, not only could I position at the Canadian hardly breathe, but standing up was Indoor Rowing simply not an option. I was content Championships sitting on the erg for a good few minutes until I felt confident I would be able to stand under my own strength. Luckily I had a shoulder to Snapshots from the MURC’s 2003 Season VOLUME XII ISSUE 1 WWW.MCGILLCREW.COM PAGE 6

McGill’s 2004 CURC’s for placement into an A or B notify you of the next meeting. We are also final, the winner of the A being the looking for sponsors for the regatta. If you Canadian Champion. Last season, the know of any establishment that may want to Daniel Saks McGill participated in this regatta which sponsor this event, please let me know. This is an update on next years Canadian was held in Victoria. The University of I would also like to take the opportunity to University Rowing Championships that Victoria did a great job in hosting the thank Mike Modolo, for working so hard to will be held here, in Montreal - a colossal regatta, and we intend to set our prepare the bid for the regatta. Mike and opportunity for the McGill University standards even higher. Henri brought this event to Montreal for the Rowing Club to illustrate how strong of a A regatta committee separate from the first time. This landmark opportunity is not program we have. Organization of the MURC executive committee is going to just significant for McGill Rowing, but for event is underway, and it will take lots of be running the event. Having had the entire school, the city of Montreal, and preparation to run this event several meetings, we are still looking for the province! of Quebec. With proper successfully. people to help out, due to the immensity preparation this event is sure to be a The CURC regatta is unique - it gives of the project. I would encourage and be successful milestone in the McGill varsity athletes from all over Canada the grateful for any athletes, coaches, or University Rowing Club’s history. opportunity to compete against other alumni to attend meetings. If you are athletes from universities all over the interested please e-mail me at country. It is structured in the form of a [email protected], and I will

Alumnotes Tom Laurie in 1993 intramural hockey team!). Please relay my greetings to the 2001 McGill men's lighties, Philip Hedrei wrote: and look me up when in NZ. I am in my fourth year of subspecialty Paul Sturgess (HM8+ '95-'98) has just training in Pediatric Gastroenterology moved to Paris with KPMG Corporate at McGill. I have continued to be Finance. Previously he was both working for involved with rowing, having co- KPMG and studying in London, founded in 2003 the "club d'aviron England over the past 5 years. Odawagan", Montreal's first gay and lesbian-friendly rowing club, in Ben Storey wrote: anticipation of the 2006 gay games. I I was married in Las Vegas on September 28, have been rowing on and off with the on from Queen's. Boston Bay Blades, and was able to 2003 to Elaine Sims of Red Deer. Fellow compete in Washington DC last year. Rob McDowall wrote: Alumni Geoff Klein and Bruce Smith were Once my medical training is over (there present, but Bruce spent the whole time IS a light at the end of the tunnel), I Not sure if this is news enough but I'm no gambling and no one actually saw him. The hope to get back into masters rowing, longer in Montreal these days or traveling wedding was fantastic and we drove down and re-align myself with McGill Best around North America. I've taken up from Calgary in a convoy of four motor of luck to the Crew at McGill-Queens! residence in France just south of Paris and homes full of people. Singapore for the year to complete my John J.S. Park wrote: MBA at INSEAD. I miss Montreal and As a member of the women’s eight, Sarah the MURC dearly and I hope to come Pape won a bronze medal at the 2003 World Just this past year, I have transferred back there some day. However, I must say Rowing Championships in Milan, Italy. She Law school to Queen's University from though that the French make a pretty is currently in Victoria, training with the the UK. And one day, as I entered the convincing case with their fine wine, national team and looking forward to law library, I saw this guy who seemed snowy Alps and mild winters. Hope all is competing in Athens this summer. very familiar. I kept on staring at him, well at the MURC and keep the news and he stared back at me. Then, I flowin'! realized that he was none other than Marios Russos, who rowed with me in Jonathan Albright wrote: Mr. Speaker back in '99! I was coxing McGill Crew 1999-2002 (varsity men back then, and he was rowing stroke. It lightweight) turns out that he was at Queen's Currently rowing for the University of studying Medicine. So, what's the point Auckland and West End Rowing Club, in this story? You just never know Auckland, New Zealand. Also playing ice where you will run into your fellow hockey for the New Zealand Ice Blacks rowing-mates in the future. Best wishes National Senior Team (about the to all and good luck with McGill- equivalent of a division A-B McGill Ben and his Vegas bride on Halloween… one Queen's Boat Race. I'll be cheering you month and still going strong! VOLUME XII ISSUE 1 WWW.MCGILLCREW.COM PAGE 7 2003 Season Recap While the heavy varsity men were unable to touch the two west locked in a guaranteed entry at coast schools that have the Lauren Robinson the Head of the Charles for next advantage of training on iceless Nine boats, Nine regattas, five year by placing in the top 25%, water throughout the winter. the other boats of the McGill Crew However, both men and women’s weekends away, twenty-three th th medals, seventy-three crazy hosted the annual Invitational eight boats came out with 4 , 5 people getting up at the crack of Regatta and dominated the medal places respectively. The lightweight dawn. One great season. This fall, podium in front of friends, family, men and women weighed in for the and alumni that came to show last time of the season, before the athletes of the MURC came th th together with awesome force to their support. The novice and capturing 6 and 4 places and dominate the water and show varsity boats cleaned up with 5 finished with a well deserved feast what we know best - how to give gold medals, the rest being silver for the whole team provided by ‘er. and bronze. proud parents of McGill rowers before heading back to Montreal. The competitive season began at The whole crew was then the Head of the Rideau with both altogether for their final weekend The crew is currently training hard lightweight boats capturing a 1st in at the Ontario University and will go on to challenge Queen’s the University 4 category and Championships in Welland. The at the annual boat race we are Red Dawn (women’s novice eight) hosting this year in Montreal on varsity women’s eight following th with an impressive 2nd. Head of and women’s double took away April 25 . the Trent, came around the corner the gold. The novice men still th The success of this season is for the novice’s first regatta, pulled through to 4 with only seven rowers after a collar fell off expected to heighten interest in the having only three weeks sport. As results have shown, the experience in the boat and a new and left the oar shooting into the water at 150 meters after the entire team had benefited from the love of spandex. Mr. Speaker recruiting and development (novice men’s eight) managed to start. The varsity men’s eight had an especially intense race and still programs that the entire MURC has row their way 4.5 km to an worked hard to build. The number of exciting gold. Looking to dominate took away the silver medal by only a hair. rowers coming to try outs in the fall the water again, the team has increased every year and a large travelled to St.Catherines only to As November rolled around, the number of the novice rowers catch find that the regatta had been four varsity boats ventured out to the fever and stay on to become cancelled due to fog. But the team Victoria, BC to test themselves varsity athletes. It is not surprising continued along to Rochester to against the best in the country, that there are over 70 men and compete in the Stonehurst and to experience the west coast women on the water in the cold, Invitational Regatta taking away th th for four days. The regatta was early fall mornings, and in the erg 6 for the varsity men’s eight, 5 held at the national team’s room on hot, sweaty winter evenings for the lightweight men’s four and th training facility where McGill Crew – it is only because they are all are 8 for the varsity women’s eight. showed their true colours but driven to achieve excellence.

Fall Schedule Head of the Rideau Sunday, September 26 Ottawa, Ontario Head of the Trent Saturday, October 2 Peterborough, Ontario Brock Invite Saturday, October 9 St.Catharines, Ontario Rochester Invite Sunday, October 10 Rochester, New York Head of the Charles Saturday– Sunday, October 23- 24 Boston, Massachusetts McGill Invitational Saturday, October 23 Montreal, Quebec OUA Championships Friday– Saturday, October 29-30 Lake Fanshaw, London, Ontario CURC's Saturday– Sunday, November 6-7 Basin, Montreal VOLUME XII ISSUE 1 WWW.MCGILLCREW.COM PAGE 8

The 2004 Executive President- Johanie Marcoux VP Finance- Lauren Robinson VP Internal- Christine Vigneault, Sarah Sanowar VP External- Clare Raspopow, Isabelle Teolis VP Communications- Andrew Howard VP Fundraising- Nick Phelps Club Manager- Dan Saks VP Truck and Trailer- Jared Steingard Alumni Affairs- Carol Burbank & Priya Patel

Established in 1996, the McGill-Queen’s Challenge Boat Race adds another dimension to the long-standing athletic rivalry that exists between these two universities. From year to year, McGill and Queen’s alternate hosting the event, and this year it will take place in Montreal, Quebec on Sunday April 25th. After training very hard all winter, our athletes will once again go up against the Queen’s crews with the goal of bringing back the three trophies of the Challenge: Men’s Challenge Blade, which was won last year by the McGill Crew; Women’s Challenge Trophy, won by Queen’s crew; and D. Lorne Gales Challenge Cup, which was won again by the McGill Crew. Good luck to all the athletes and let the challenge begin…

In-Between McGill Crew a great McGill season with just as implementation of their requests. By many memories and lessons, I received the end I had semi-mastered what was Dallas Smith a call one cold January day. It was expected, even though it took massive As I marched into the Juan Pablo , and it took me all of bruising on my back and aching legs Stadium in Santo Domingo, five seconds to say yes, I would go to (from bracing for support). Did I Dominican Republic with 30,000 their Olympic Training camp in mention blisters? I did not think coxies people cheering the Canadian Berkeley California. This intense trip ever got blisters, but the combination contingent, an unbelievable wave of had to be the most challenging of my of salt-water and steering strings made confidence and pride swept over me coxing career. These 18 men had been for some impressive wounds. I really as I realized I was there. From the training for over a year to earn a spot felt like a rower! The lesson I have sweat runs in sweltering humid on the team. As we did hour-long side come away with is that you need to try weather making sure I was at weight by side “training” pieces it became to maintain the same strength of for my crew, to the adrenaline clear there was no room for error. Any character and integrity in the face of pumping through my body as we chance error meant I faced the wrath any situation. In victory, it is hard not fought off the charging Cuban team of men twice my size, in addition to a to think you are better than others, and to capture the silver medal, I gained calm, yet very intimidating talk from in defeat, it is hard to get over the fact some incredible memories and the well-known Mike Spracklen. In that you lost. Whatever lies ahead of learned some valuable lessons that I order to survive I had to perform to me, I know that that the lessons I was eager to bring back to my boys my max everyday. Twice. I learned have/will learn through rowing will at McGill (Note: Alumni Gen more in those two weeks than I had give me insight to make life’s journey Meredith was also a member of the my entire coxing career. The athletes all the more fulfilling. I thank McGill Canadian team winning a silver and a were very helpful and encouraging. I for being a big part of that. gold). Last summer taught me about listened to everything that was said, coxing, but it did not end there. After and impressed them with the