The Ottawa Rowing Club has the BEST volunteers! And, boy, do we need our volunteers to make this year another success. A number of special events coming up this spring and summer for the club…
May 4, approx. 10am to 12pm, Club Pancake Breakfast
May 11, 9am to 2pm, Tulip Cup Regatta
May 25, 7am to 12pm, National Capital High School Regatta
June 1, 10am to 2pm, Doors Open Ottawa and Try Rowing Day
June 15, 9am to 12pm, Try Rowing Day for Ages 12 to 17
Volunteering is a great way to connect with the ORC community, to add to the legacy of Canada’s oldest rowing club and to make the ORC the best place to be in Ottawa. THANK YOU for contributing!
The story of the Ottawa Rowing Club is steeped in history. Founded in 1867, Canada’s oldest rowing club is a non-profit, volunteer-driven, community organization. Its founding father was Sir John A. Macdonald and it has been in existence for more than 150 years.
The ORC’s story isn’t just a story of early hours and intense training to go fly on water. The ORC – and the sport of rowing – is about committing to a communal goal larger than any one person. It’s about team. It’s about giving heart and soul in pursuit of something great, something special, meaningful, inclusive and for many, life changing. While the ORC has always been and is still is today driven by the big, warm hearts of volunteers and rowers who make it a mission to strengthen and unite our greater community one stroke, and one smile, at a time; it is built on resources made possible by the generosity of sponsors, donors, partners and people like you. Rowing shells, blades, docks, motor boats, dryland training equipment and essential tools for our volunteer coaches are critical to our mission.
We are in the midst of a severe flood at the ORC. It is the second one the club has faced since 2017. The Ottawa River is our playground. But it has a life of its own and it will live, breath and go where it likes. We are at its mercy and right now it is devastatingly crippling. The clean up will be monstrous, the recovery challenging. We’ve done it before and will do it again. But not without all hands on deck and many kind hearts contributing to our team.
We are gratefully accepting donations to support our non profit. Tax receipts will be issued for donations given to the ORC via the National Sport Trust Fund – Ontario. Below are donation links to two ORC fundraising initiatives. Donations to Let’s Row Ottawa support equipment and general operating expenses. Donations to Shell Out for Shells support investment in rowing shells only. By giving though one of these links you will receive a tax receipt and you will make a big difference:
When the water level recedes enough and we can install our docks and clean up from the flood, we will need many, many volunteers to help. We will put a call out when that time comes. It will take many hard hours to put things back in place. These hours will be easier with well fed and cared for volunteers. We are grateful accepting donations of food, baked goods, beverages (i.e, water, juice) to help fuel the clean up that’s to come. If you are in a position to donate this way please reach out to melissa@ottawarowingclub.com.
Thank you for contributing. Our community is an incredibly strong, tight-knit one, for which we are so grateful.
The Ottawa River has risen since our last update of April 20th. It is possible that it will rise at least another foot in the next day or two. A lot depends on the snowmelt and rain forecast.
Our dock installation and club clean up has been moved to Saturday, May 4th and the spring ergatta originally scheduled for May 4th will be cancelled or possibly moved to another date (TBD). Note that the May 4th date for installation is very tentative and we just have to see what the next week brings. Another update will be provided as soon as possible. Thank you for your patience and understanding as we navigate this.
This is a really challenging time for many in Ottawa and the surrounding communities. Homes are at risk, some have already been affected by the flooding and we’re holding hope that the water level will not rise and will instead recede as soon as possible. Our thoughts and hearts go out to all who have been working hard to prepare for possible flooding and who are being affected by the flooding.
A big THANK YOU to all who have reached out offering help, support and words of encouragement. There are couple of ways to help as we wait this out:
We do not know if or what damage we may sustain. This is a challenging time for our non-profit operations. We are gratefully accepting financial contributions. Tax receipts will be issued for donations issued to the ORC via the National Sport Trust Fund – Ontario. Below are donation links to two ORC fundraising initiatives. Donations to Let’s Row Ottawa support equipment and general operating expenses. Donations to Shell Out for Shells support investment in rowing shells. By giving though one of these links you will receive a tax receipt:
When the water level recedes enough that we can install our docks and clean up from the flood, we will need many, many volunteers to help. We will put a call out when that time comes. It will take many hard hours to put things back in place. These hours will be easier with well fed and cared for volunteers. We are grateful accepting donations of food, baked goods, beverages (i.e, water, juice) to help fuel the clean up that’s to come. If you are in a position to donate this way please reach out to melissa@ottawarowingclub.com.
Thank you to all who contribute to our rowing family. The rowing community is an incredibly strong, tight-knit one, for which we are so grateful.
The scenario we found ourselves in, in Spring 2017, has returned. The Ottawa River has risen above its banks and the Ottawa Rowing Club is flooded.
Due to significant rainfall and melting snow the Ottawa River has swelled and has now reached our historic, old Boathouse. It will be a few days before the River peaks so we don’t know how high the water will rise. In May 2017 we experienced significant flooding. The Ottawa River Regulation Authority predicts the peak will be less than what it was in May 2017. However, predictions are approximate only and come with a high degree of uncertainty. More snowmelt runoff and precipitation will contribute to sustained high levels and flow for a period of time. The Ottawa River Regulation Authority provides forecasted updates and we are keeping an eye on those updates. You can view them here: http://ottawariver.ca/forecast.php
We want to express deep thanks to the volunteers who assisted with some flood preparation on Good Friday. You are amazing!
Our thoughts and hearts go out to all who have been working hard to prepare for possible flooding and who are being affected by the flooding.
We remain closed. Staff and volunteers are monitoring the situation. Prior to the flood waters increasing to the current level, boats were moved to higher ground and docks and other equipment tied down, as best we could and where we were able. We will provide updates on dock installation and clean up efforts as they come available.
When water levels recede and we can move forward with our dock installation and clean up, a widespread call for volunteers will be issued. We will need many, many volunteers to help clean up our grounds and boathouses. It will take patience, a lot of hard work and sweat, along with some cooperation from Mother Nature.
We do not know if or what damage we may sustain. This is a challenging time for our non-profit operations. We are gratefully accepting financial contributions. Tax receipts will be issued for donations issued to the ORC via the National Sport Trust Fund – Ontario. Below are donation links to two ORC fundraising initiatives. Donations to Let’s Row Ottawa support equipment and general operating expenses. Donations to Shell Out for Shells support investment in rowing shells. By giving though one of these links you will receive a tax receipt:
Thank you to all who contribute to our rowing family. The rowing community is an incredibly strong, tight-knit one, for which we are so grateful.
The ORC has stood proud and beautiful on the shores of the mighty Ottawa River for 150 years and it will continue to do so for another 150 years. Our community is resourceful, compassionate, dedicated, self sacrificing and proud – which saved us after the May 2017 flooding. We came out of that time as strong as ever, and this time will be no different.
The Local Athlete’s Fund is an initiative with the purpose of providing financial support to ORC athletes in need who are rowing at the local club level. It was established as a sister fund to the ORC’s existing Athlete’s Fund, which is designated to financially assist ORC athletes competing internationally. It has been established to recognize the efforts club athletes put into fundraising and volunteering, and therefore to provide an avenue for local athletes in need of financial assistance to access funds. The money for this fund will be raised through fundraising initiatives at the club.
Application and Selection
Money from the Local Athlete’s Fund will be awarded twice per year to athletes who currently row at the ORC. The recipients will be chosen based on individual financial need and circumstances, as well as level of commitment to the club as outlined in the application letter.
The current application deadline for the Local Athlete’s Fund is Wednesday, May 1, 2019, however, in extenuating circumstances the selection committee may approve funds to be released before this date. The selection will be made by a committee comprised of the former and current Athlete’s Representatives of the ORC Executive.
Application Process
Athletes may apply by sending a letter toottawarowingclub.secretary@gmail.com stating why they feel they are a deserving recipient of these funds. They may strengthen their application by addressing any of following criteria as they see fit:
Rowing
How long have you rowed? What are your racing goals this season? Which seasons do you competitively row with the ORC? (Summer, fall)
Financial
What is your student status? (full/part time) Do you maintain employment? Do you receive any type of financial aid for schooling not including bursaries? (ex: OSAP) Which monthly expenses do you pay? (Rent, vehicle expenses, tuition) How do you currently pay for expenses, including rowing-related fees? (Family assistance, personal employment, etc.) Any other means of financial aid you receive. Any further details on financial situation and individual circumstances which merit this support.
