SCRC celebrates past, present and future at Annual Boat Christening

Don Baker Jr. christens the boat in his name on Sunday, June 12 at Henley Island

​By Lauren Kelly
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“Take your time going up, but hurry back” mused Don Baker Jr, as he christened the new shell named after him on this Sunday, June 12 at Henley Island.  This advice, first told to him by his high school coach before races, is timeless.  In fact, it most certainly was taken to heart by 22 young men and women in the crowd, who were in attendance to officially be sent off to England for the Henley Royal Regatta this month. It will be the experience of a lifetime.  As SCRC sends both a men’s and women’s eight to the legendary English regatta, the athletes should expect to be thoughtful and reflective on their way to the starting gates, as they have been working towards this trip for nearly three years, having been sidelined by the COVID pandemic, but still remaining intentful in their athletic pursuit, and are now prepared to race with great speed down the legendary course.  

The women’s crew will compete for the Wargrave Cup Challenge, and the men for the Thames Challenge Cup.  The athletes are Lisa Bos, Sara Butler, Rebecca Dockray, Meredith Hilmayer, Gillian Jansen, Stephanie Mowder, Rowan O’Neill, Clara Sebastianelli, Arden Schirru, Rylie Wake and Grace Weaver, with Coach Liz Iannizzi, and Andrew Barry, Kai Bartel, Daniel Brophy, Owen Kudreikis, Jeremy Landelaan, Thomas Markewich, David Picard, Riley Pisek, Nikolas Schramm, Sam Stewart and Owen Voelkner, with Coach Tom Kent.  Mike Thompson will serve as team manager.  The announcement of these crews on Sunday was a nod to the present and the future of the St. Catharines Rowing Club, as their presence at the English regatta will certainly serve as inspiration for all the rowers rowing on this Henley course for years to come. 

It was therefore fitting to make this announcement at an event that celebrated those who had come before them.  Before christening the new eight, the Don Baker Jr (with the stern named “Little Joe Naps” by the Denis Morris crew), Denis Morris principal Colleen Quinn-Boyer reflected that an 8+ is all about “Discipline, Sacrifice and Camaraderie”.  There were three boats christened on Sunday, an eight, a quad and a double.  The eight and quad were cost-shared with Denis Morris and Sir Winston Churchill, respectively, and the stern name was chosen by those programs.  SCRC chose the names of each boat’s bows.  The boats were named after just a few of the people who have made the St Catharines Rowing Club the institution it is; one that enables 22 athletes to compete at the Henley Royal Regatta. 

The anecdotes shared by the honourees, and the loved ones who introduced them, spoke to the illustrious community and history of our club.  Liam Beedling, who spoke with his brothers about their father Paul Beedling having a double named in his honour, said, “(my father) never did it for the awards and accolades, but I can appreciate how much this means to him”.  Patrick Beedling said of Henley Island to his father, “this place has been in your psyche for so many years”.  But as much as Paul Beedling expressed his gratitude for this sport and our club, his son Callum Beedling poignantly returned that his father has had a “profound impact on the community”. 

The new quad shared with Sir Winston Churchill was named after Wayne Dick and Marion Markarian.    Wayne Dick also feels that Henley Island is home, being the fourth person in his family to have a boat in his name.  He encapsulated his feelings on Sunday for SCRC naming a boat after him as a “thrilling honour”.   Steve Smith spoke about Marion Markarian next, telling of her request for “Strength, Harmony and Victory” to be written on the shell, and how it epitomised our sport.  Markarian concluded her speech by saying, “I want to thank you for letting me be part of the memories”.  Indeed striking a harmonious balance of what one gives and receives as an outstanding member of the club. 
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The collective feeling at Sunday’s christening was a strong sense of community and history.  The individuals honoured with a boat christened in their name have given much of their lives to the club for the betterment of its institution and those within it.  It was thus particularly poignant to have the Henley Royal Crews present, exemplifying the effect of Paul Beedling, Marion Markarian, Wayne Dick, Joe Naps and Don Baker Jr’s involvement.  How special it was to see our club’s history, present and future gathered together.

Photos by Barry Springle, ​Digital Sports Photography