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Local rowers on podium at Nicomekl regatta

More than 185 rowers from across B.C. and Washington took part in the event, which was held on the Nicomekl River near Blackie Spit and featured races singles, pairs, quad and eights categories.
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Gord Goble photo Darci Stenner joins other members of the Nicomekl Rowing Club’s hosting of more than 185 rowers from across B.C. and Washington for the club’s annual Head of the Water Regatta Saturday on the Nicomekl River near Blackie Spit. For more


Saturday was a good day to be on the water for members of the Nicomekl Rowing Club, who hosted their annual Head of the Water Regatta on the weekend.

More than 185 rowers from across B.C. and Washington took part in the event, which was held on the Nicomekl River near Blackie Spit and featured races singles, pairs, quad and eights categories.

"It went very well, and the weather turned out to be good, too," said Nicomekl Rowing Club president Malcolm Fletcher.

"It was a good event – it always is – and it's really become a fixture on the local rowing schedule."

The host club had quite a few podium finishers, too. In the single sculls event, Surrey's Karl Madsen, a relative newcomer to rowing, took top spot in the men's race, while Mary Tisdale was second among women.

"Karl is a fairly recent rower — he's been with the club about two years, but he's incredibly fit... a real athlete," said Fletcher. "For him to win, it's just amazing."

In the final race of the day, with the Head of the River trophy on the line, the quad team of Jon Moss, Gary Cumiford, Mike Hall and Fletcher came in second in a field of 20 boats.

The Nicomekl race was the first of the "head race" season, Fletcher said. Next weekend, many club members will travel to Washington for an event at Lake Samish, and in October will head to Vancouver Island for two more races.