The Nicomekl Rowing Club
It started with a chance meeting of two rowers in the summer of 1994. Rick Fearn and Gary Cumiford had rowed for UBC and, at different times had represented Canada. Both loved rowing and happened to be sitting beside each other at a Surrey Swim Club event. Both marveled at what an amazing venue the Nicomekl River would be for rowing. Rick, who had rowed extensively in England and France where river rowing is the norm, knew that if it were in Europe the Nicomekl would be crowded with enthusiastic rowers and paddlers. With its five kilometers of sheltered, flat water; its natural setting; its diversity; plus an opportunity to row out into the bay and experience open water conditions -- the two realized it represented one of the very best places in the world for a rowing club.
By the summer of 1995 their dream began to take shape. They met with Surrey Mayor, Bob Bose who understood the vision. Bob and the City Council recognized that a rowing club could be a significant asset to Surrey; a recreational opportunity for Surrey residents and a real enhancement to the natural beauty and charm of the river. At the time, Surrey City Council were looking at options for the future development of Elgin Park. The city had purchased the property from the Ward family in 1984 and had restored the original Stewart Farm as a heritage site. The waterfront however consisted of a large number of sheds and shacks that had grown up over years of use for boatbuilding, boat repair, crabbing and oyster farming. Many were in poor repair and becoming unsafe. The city hired a consulting company to develop options for future use and development of the park and after a number of public hearings and much discussion, the current layout was agreed upon. In addition to the restored Stewart Farmhouse and outbuildings, the plan reserved space for the Yacht Club, the Sea Scouts, a heritage building …… and the Rowing Club. Wonderful news for the fledgling club.
By the end of 1995, although they had no boats as yet, the club had registered as a Society with a Constitution and By-Laws; had a promise from the City that a spot would be provided once plans for Elgin Park were finalized, and had some 30 people interested in becoming founding members. The focus shifted to an ambitious project to host the first Nicomekl Head of the River Regatta in the spring of 1996 and to start acquiring a fleet of rowing shells. Two training singles were salvaged and Surrey Sailing Club allowed them to be stored in their compound until safe storage was built at Elgin Park.
Early in 1996, Surrey Parks allowed the club to construct a temporary boat shelter at the West end of the park (where the boat trailer parking area is now). Delta Deas Rowing Club and the BC rowing community provided tremendous support and help. At the time, BC Rowing owned a few boats that were specifically there to help new clubs get started. Don Arnold, who was Executive Director of BC Rowing, arranged for the club to borrow the Dick McLure, (a Kashper double that remained a mainstay of the clubs fleet until 2015). Mike Hall, then President of Delta Deas, attended many of the initial meetings offering support and allowed the clubs founding members to row at Delta until Nicomekl was in a position to actually start their own rowing program.
On March 30th 1996, the Club hosted the first Nicomekl Head of the River Regatta. Two races were held, running up-river from the pier at Crescent Beach to finish at the Elgin control dam. Some 200 rowers, canoeists and kayakers took part and prizes were awarded by National Team Member Anna Van der Kamp and by Bob Bose, Surrey Mayor. It was a magnificent accomplishment for a newly formed club and helped put the club on the map of BC rowing clubs. The regatta has been hosted by the club every year since.
During 1996 and 1997 the club acquired a used four, a double and two eights from Vancouver Rowing Club. This allowed for more members to get out on the water and for the club to start a “Learn-to-Row’ program.
Unfortunately the boats had to be wet-launched on the narrow boat ramp – a complicated and difficult procedure. During this time the City finally completed the Elgin Park usage plan and the current site for the Rowing Club was allocated. A team of members set about moving the ‘temporary’ boat shelter to the new site – where it stayed for the next 15 years. The priority now moved to getting a dock low enough for rowing use.
The dock space problem was initially addressed by sharing the cost of construction with the late Robert Genn who owned the floating boathouse at Wards Marina. The small dock that is still in use was jointly constructed to serve access to the boathouse and as a rowing club dock. Meanwhile the lengthy process of lobbying the city to build a proper ‘paddle sport’ dock and getting a design approved by FREMP was begun. In 2006 plans for a rowing dock were finally approved and the city started construction. The pier was widened and an elaborate crib was built for the dock to rest on at low tide. The new dock was completed in 2007.
In 2007 the main priority was to construct a permanent boathouse. In September 2009 a Special Membership meeting was called to review options. A request was made for donations and a number of members made a donation to the fund -- especially Jon Moss who made a substantial contribution to the building fund which made it possible to proceed. A meeting was held with all park users and the Heritage Group, The Yacht Club, The Scouts and Surrey Parks were unanimous in their approval of the design. Parks agreed to allow some extra space to better accommodate shells. Detailed plans were prepared and taken to a local engineer for approval. These were submitted for building permission and after some vigorous back and forth maneuvering; approval was given for construction in the fall of 2011.
A team of Mike Hall, Malcolm Fletcher, Bob Wirtz and Ed Williams worked through the winter digging foundations, pouring concrete, raising posts and nailing beams. The city came through with a donation of $15k which paid for the cost of roofing and just about every club member showed up to help with the final job of paving the floors. In the spring of 2012 the new boathouse was complete. Racks were installed and the boats moved back in ready for the 2012 season.
By the summer of 1995 their dream began to take shape. They met with Surrey Mayor, Bob Bose who understood the vision. Bob and the City Council recognized that a rowing club could be a significant asset to Surrey; a recreational opportunity for Surrey residents and a real enhancement to the natural beauty and charm of the river. At the time, Surrey City Council were looking at options for the future development of Elgin Park. The city had purchased the property from the Ward family in 1984 and had restored the original Stewart Farm as a heritage site. The waterfront however consisted of a large number of sheds and shacks that had grown up over years of use for boatbuilding, boat repair, crabbing and oyster farming. Many were in poor repair and becoming unsafe. The city hired a consulting company to develop options for future use and development of the park and after a number of public hearings and much discussion, the current layout was agreed upon. In addition to the restored Stewart Farmhouse and outbuildings, the plan reserved space for the Yacht Club, the Sea Scouts, a heritage building …… and the Rowing Club. Wonderful news for the fledgling club.
By the end of 1995, although they had no boats as yet, the club had registered as a Society with a Constitution and By-Laws; had a promise from the City that a spot would be provided once plans for Elgin Park were finalized, and had some 30 people interested in becoming founding members. The focus shifted to an ambitious project to host the first Nicomekl Head of the River Regatta in the spring of 1996 and to start acquiring a fleet of rowing shells. Two training singles were salvaged and Surrey Sailing Club allowed them to be stored in their compound until safe storage was built at Elgin Park.
Early in 1996, Surrey Parks allowed the club to construct a temporary boat shelter at the West end of the park (where the boat trailer parking area is now). Delta Deas Rowing Club and the BC rowing community provided tremendous support and help. At the time, BC Rowing owned a few boats that were specifically there to help new clubs get started. Don Arnold, who was Executive Director of BC Rowing, arranged for the club to borrow the Dick McLure, (a Kashper double that remained a mainstay of the clubs fleet until 2015). Mike Hall, then President of Delta Deas, attended many of the initial meetings offering support and allowed the clubs founding members to row at Delta until Nicomekl was in a position to actually start their own rowing program.
On March 30th 1996, the Club hosted the first Nicomekl Head of the River Regatta. Two races were held, running up-river from the pier at Crescent Beach to finish at the Elgin control dam. Some 200 rowers, canoeists and kayakers took part and prizes were awarded by National Team Member Anna Van der Kamp and by Bob Bose, Surrey Mayor. It was a magnificent accomplishment for a newly formed club and helped put the club on the map of BC rowing clubs. The regatta has been hosted by the club every year since.
During 1996 and 1997 the club acquired a used four, a double and two eights from Vancouver Rowing Club. This allowed for more members to get out on the water and for the club to start a “Learn-to-Row’ program.
Unfortunately the boats had to be wet-launched on the narrow boat ramp – a complicated and difficult procedure. During this time the City finally completed the Elgin Park usage plan and the current site for the Rowing Club was allocated. A team of members set about moving the ‘temporary’ boat shelter to the new site – where it stayed for the next 15 years. The priority now moved to getting a dock low enough for rowing use.
The dock space problem was initially addressed by sharing the cost of construction with the late Robert Genn who owned the floating boathouse at Wards Marina. The small dock that is still in use was jointly constructed to serve access to the boathouse and as a rowing club dock. Meanwhile the lengthy process of lobbying the city to build a proper ‘paddle sport’ dock and getting a design approved by FREMP was begun. In 2006 plans for a rowing dock were finally approved and the city started construction. The pier was widened and an elaborate crib was built for the dock to rest on at low tide. The new dock was completed in 2007.
In 2007 the main priority was to construct a permanent boathouse. In September 2009 a Special Membership meeting was called to review options. A request was made for donations and a number of members made a donation to the fund -- especially Jon Moss who made a substantial contribution to the building fund which made it possible to proceed. A meeting was held with all park users and the Heritage Group, The Yacht Club, The Scouts and Surrey Parks were unanimous in their approval of the design. Parks agreed to allow some extra space to better accommodate shells. Detailed plans were prepared and taken to a local engineer for approval. These were submitted for building permission and after some vigorous back and forth maneuvering; approval was given for construction in the fall of 2011.
A team of Mike Hall, Malcolm Fletcher, Bob Wirtz and Ed Williams worked through the winter digging foundations, pouring concrete, raising posts and nailing beams. The city came through with a donation of $15k which paid for the cost of roofing and just about every club member showed up to help with the final job of paving the floors. In the spring of 2012 the new boathouse was complete. Racks were installed and the boats moved back in ready for the 2012 season.
The First Nicomekl Head of the River RegattaOn March 30th 1996 the Club hosted the first Nicomekl Head of the River Regatta. Two races were held, running up-river from the pier at Crescent Beach to finish at the Elgin control dam. Some 200 rowers, canoeists and kayakers took part and prizes were awarded by National Team Member Anna Van der Kamp and by Bob Bose, Surrey Mayor. It was a magnificent accomplishment for a newly formed club and helped put the club on the map of BC rowing clubs. The regatta has been hosted by the club every year since.
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