Hanlan Boat Club
Regatta Road Toronto, ON, Canada

In honour of Row Ontario’s 50th anniversary we will be celebrating just some of the many athletes, coaches, umpires and builders who have contributed greatly to... rowing in Ontario throughout the history of the sport. Today we honour the tremendous career of John Armitage . John was first introduced to rowing in his native Brockville, Ont., at the age of 13. He had a successful rowing career, which included an appearance at the 1975 World Rowing Championships in the men’s coxless lightweight four. Following his athletic career, John turned to coaching and was in luck as his alma mater, Queen’s University, was looking for coaches for their rowing program. In 1977, John became head coach of the women's program at Queen's and in 1982 assumed the role of men's head coach as well. He would hold both posts for the next 35 years . John also helped form the Kingston Rowing Club in 1977. He was named the new club’s Secretary and head coach and oversaw the building of the first clubhouse in 1979. He is still contributing to the club today as its head coach. During his coaching career at Queen’s John led the Gaels to 20 OUA Championships (13 women’s, 7 men’s) and a women’s national championship in 2007. In addition to coaching at Queen’s, he’s also coached at the national and international level, coaching for Team Canada at the 1987 World University Games and for Team Ontario at the 1989 Canada Summer Games . Over the years, John has earned many accolades for his work in coaching and as a builder, including 3 OUA Coach of the Year Awards, 1 CURC Coach of the Year Award, and Rowing Canada Coach of the Year in 1999. In 1993, John was presented with an award from the Ontario Ministry of Culture and Recreation for his work in fostering the growth of rowing in the Kingston area and was inducted as a builder into the Kingston & District Sports Hall of Fame in 2001 . Thank you John Armitage for your dedication and commitment to the sport of rowing. Your career is truly an inspiration to everyone in the Ontario rowing community and beyond! #RowOn

Hanlan is launching club-wide virtual/online and outdoor winter training. All rowers and aspiring rowers are welcome! Check out our Winter training page for more information: https://www.hanlanboatclub.ca/winter-program

"This photo is a representation of the beauty of rowing. This was taken at the last 250m of a race and to the average person it symbolizes, rhythm, beauty, and ...a sense of collectiveness. Whereas for the person in that boat you are experiencing excruciating pain, a sort of pain that makes you not remember the feeling as soon as you cross the finish line. A pain that makes you question everything you're doing, but also a pain that makes you reflect and change who you want to become. This is my favorite type of pain, where only the person who is experiencing it can truly reflect what they want to make of it." -Kristina Walker, Rowing, first time CAN Fund #150Women recipient All 4 athletes in this picture are 2020 CAN Fund #150Women recipients! (Kristina Walker, Madison Mailey, Jen Martins, Sydney Payne) See more

Canine Coxie:) Happy Friday Hanlan!

Heads up Hanlan! Own a piece of rowing history. Rare, vintage mens single up for auction. Get your bids in....live link will be posted across Canada this weekend!... https://www.32auctions.com//au/86034/auction_items/2374828