News
This page is dedicated to keep members up-to-date on news and events that effect our Club. If you have exciting information that you would like to share with us, whether it deals specifically with club programs or activities outside of the club (do we even have time for a life outside of paddling?) please send your news to info@westrougecc.org.
Message from the Mayor of Pickering, David Ryan
"The West Rouge Canoe Club plays an important role in our community by providing a wealth of recreation, fitness and sporting opportunities to our residents."
2008
06/19/08 - The West Rouge Canoe Club (WRCC) and the Pickering Fairport Aquatic Club (PFAC) created a Pickering Paddlesport program, thanks to a $70,200 grant from the Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF). Lloyd White, Durham OTF Grant Review Team Chair, joined MPP Wayne Arthurs’ executive assistant, Bill Hepburn, to congratulate the WRCC at their Family Day barbecue event held at Frenchman’s Bay.
“I am delighted that these two deserving community organizations, the West Rouge Canoe Club and the Pickering Fairport Aquatic Club, are the recipients of this funding from the Ontario Trillium Foundation,” said Wayne Arthurs, MPP for Pickering-Scarborough East. “These resources will be put to excellent use as the WRCC and the PFAC continue to provide their important services throughout our community.”
The collaborative WRCC and PFAC received funding from OTF in June 2007 to build a healthier and more physically active community through the creation of Pickering Paddlesport program. The OTF grant has been used to purchase safety boats and motors, canoes, kayaks, outrigger canoes, paddles, and life jackets, and the expansion of programs for youth and adults. The support has also contributed to the training of coaches and volunteers to build leadership skills, which in turn help enhance the quality of the programs provided to the community.
“WRCC survives and flourishes today from the support we receive from our volunteers, coaches, paddlers, and sponsors,” said Commodore Belinda Lyn.
The Ontario Trillium Foundation is an agency of the Government of Ontario. For over 25 years, the Foundation has supported the growth and vitality of communities across the province. OTF continues to strengthen the capacity of the volunteer sector through investments in community-based initiatives. For more information, please visit www.trilliumfoundation.org.
06/19/08 - Congratulations to all participants who took part in our 2008 Jr. Dragon Boat Challenge on Sunday, June 15th. This year we had 3 schools participating, George B. Little PS, Joseph Howe Sr. PS and Military Trail PS, with over 170 students taking part in the dragon boat races.
Thank you very much for all the volunteer coaching we received for Sir Oliver Mowat CI students and event sponsorship from Scotiabank. Your support made this day possible.
"I can't imagine a more perfect day! The students were delighted...your volunteers were truly amazing in every way! And know that for many of these students this is an opportunity that normally does not present itself. Hats off to you and everyone that put this together!" Ken Morden, Military Trail PS Principal
Race Results are posted here.
05/31/08 - The West Rouge Canoe Club's Canoe/Kayak and Dragonboat Summer Camp program offers children from ages 6 - 16 the opportunity to learn the Olympic sports of Canoe and Kayak, or participate in Dragonboat, the fastest growing water sport! Our Rouge Beach facility is home to the Canoe/Kayak day camp which runs for eight weeks from 9 am - 4 pm Monday - Friday. Our Dragonboat program, which also runs 9 am - 4 pm Monday - Friday is offered for six weeks of the summer. No paddling experience is necessary to participate in either program. All sessions focus on water safety and introductory to advanced instruction. Both camps also focus on land activities such as beach volleyball, soccer, and basketball, as well as camp-wide games and arts and crafts. A weekly trip to Petticoat Creek swimming pool keeps everyone smiling, and Friday BBQ lunch and Fun Regatta's allow us to end each week with a bang!
Our Rouge Beach site also houses our Leader-In-Training (LIT) program for youth ages 13 -16. This program provides older campers with a chance to learn about teamwork, communication, and leadership and counselling skills, while still being able to participate in the water activities. LIT's also complete a special LIT project each week, such as designing art projects, or running an end-of-the-week carnival! Upon completion of the program, LIT's receive 20 community service hours, a work-related reference letter and a certificate of completion. A great way for young teens to spend a week at camp while working off some mandatory community service hours for their high school diploma!
Registration forms can be found under our sites REGISTRATION tab. For more details, please contact our Camp Coordinator, Shannon McCarty at 905-767-3330 or by email at camp@westrougecc.org. For discounts please visit our Frenchman's Bay site on June 15th for WRCC Family Day.
05/28/08 - First off, a HUGE thank you goes out to Marlene for hosting a super successful event on her birthday, none the less!! She and her sister Linda did an incredible job!! Secondly, thank you so much to everyone who volunteered their time and valuable treasures to make the sale so worthwhile! Drum Roll please: The grand total was $1092.56!! All unsold items were delivered to or picked up by Second Time Around who supports Juliette's Place, a shelter for abused women and children, and they were ever so much appreciative of our donations. All in all, it was a tremendously successful day for both the Club and women and children in need! Thank you once again! By Susie McCarty, Fundraising Director.
02/13/08 - Four Club members will be traveling to Florida in March to attend the Ontario Canoe/Kayak Spring Training Camp. Brittany Main, Courtney Stott and Mary Ellery will be joining other participants across Ontario to prepare for the upcoming paddling season. Ryan Blair will be attending as one of the coaching staff.
02/13/08 - New to our site is our Buy & Sell page. Members have the opportunity to post paddling equipment and other items up for sale.
02/02/08 - West Rouge Canoe and Dragon Boat Camp Winter Newsletter.