Humber Valley Rowing Club hits the water

CORNER BROOK A disappointing turnout to the Humber Valley Rowing Clubs recent annual general meeting didnt put a damper on president Bonnie Kings outlook for the upcoming season, which officially began on Monday night.

Thats not uncommon, she told The Western Star. Its happened in past years as well and Im not really surprised. At the meeting we usually discuss the past year and things that might happen this year, so youd assume everyone would be interested in being there to find out first-hand.

All of a sudden you say well start rowing on whatever day and it seems like the teams just appear and are ready to go, she added. We did have a few new people show up who are interested in rowing this year, so that was good.

King is optimistic the club can improve on last years numbers  22 teams, including four male teams, the most of any year yet.

Were expecting another increase, thats how its gone in the past, she said. We always see a slight increase every year and our plan this year is to do more advertising, so as long as were keeping visible it should be OK.

Theres no deadline for registration, she added. It might be halfway through the season and some people might just hear about it or just become interested in it, so if we still have teams looking to put someone on, or if the person interested as friends to pull a team together themselves, we allow it.

One avenue the club is exploring to boost membership is a free Learn to Row Day, slated for 2-4 p.m. on Sunday in Brakes Cove.

Its a day for anyone thats never rowed before or are inexperienced and want to find out what its like or if they want to take it on as a recreational sport for the summer, said King. They will get some instruction and some time in the boats

Another order of business at the annual general meeting involved voting in an president-elect to take over the presidency next season, along with a secretary, although an actual election process proved unnecessary.

I had three names up for president-elect and someone dropped out, so I had two names, King explained. Then the person who was nominated for secretary didnt come back, so one of the two names that were up for the president-elect role decided to take the secretary job, so there was no need of any voting.

The president-elect is Gerard Duffney, while Kathy Lukeman will handle the secretary position.

They were happy to do it and so was the club, said King. We had other positions, like public relations, where two people will handle those things and well put committees together for some of the other duties  the more people involved the better.