Royal Canadian Henley 2017

WORDS DONNA McLUSKIE PHOTOGRAPHY KEVIN & RENATE HODGES

REGATTA

“The beauty of this regatta is it is so laid back and, yet, so well organised.”

For the 135th time, rowers, race organisers and spectators converged this August in Ontario at the annual Royal Canadian Henley Regatta to experience some of the world’s best multi-lane racing. What makes racing at RCHR so outstanding?

‘In my opinion‘, says Zimbabwe coach Mario Cunha, “the Canadian Henley is a regatta that allows athletes to develop and progress from U17 right through to masters, and this is where I believe Zimbabwe should be sending rowers. The beauty of the regatta is it is so laid back and, yet, so well organised, with many age groups. There are top class rowers, who all want that prized medal and, if you race in masters, you could be rowing against a former Olympian. The people are very friendly and the volunteers are always helpful”.

STATS

1

Island

8

Lanes FISA race course

6

Days of racing

84

Events total

600

Races

2400

Competitors plus 500

Masters competitors

2100

Entries plus 360

Masters entries

54

Masters events

2000

Covered grandstand seats

7

Para events

For the past two years, Cunha has sent his national junior squad abroad to race, with the top half taking on Junior Worlds and the bottom half racing at the RCHR. Despite serious funding issues, within a national collapsing economy, Cunha vows “We will come back to the Canadian Henley.