Rowing Toward Growth: Pine River Students Find Strength on the Water

Two people row on a calm lake with a forested shoreline in the background and sun rays breaking through a partly cloudy sky. — Rowers glide across Island Lake under a sky streaked with sunlight.

Island Lake Rowing Club partnership helps students build confidence, connection and skill through sport.

A Summer Evening on the Lake

On a perfect summer evening, with sunbursts casting shards of light on glassy water, Pine River students in the rowing club move their boats into the lake and receive instruction from their coaches as they hone their skills as a team for upcoming regattas.

“I’m still pretty nervous every time I come here,” said one student, brand new to the sport. “But I think it’s good because it gets me out of my comfort zone a bit and I’ve been really enjoying it.

“She’s doing great though,” another student is quick to add with encouragement. “I like the amount of skill and focus it takes — you really have to pay attention to everything you’re doing and it’s a really good way to get out of your head and into your body in an exercise because you’re focussing on your movements so much.”

A group of people carry a long rowing boat toward the lake, surrounded by trees and greenery. — Pine River students carry their boat to the water at Island Lake.

A Community Built on Passion

Island Lake Rowing Club (ILRC), a non-profit organization fuelled by volunteers, has been sharing its passion for the sport from its base on Island Lake in Mono Township since 1998.

Head coach Bill Stone says the partnership with Pine River Institute — now in its third year of offering club classes for Pine River students — has been rewarding. Last year’s team even glided into first place in their debut regatta in Toronto.

“The kids were thrilled with the racing,” said Stone. “It was fun working with them and seeing their hard work pay off and hearing that they wanted more.

Two coaches stand in front of the Island Lake Rowing Club boathouse, with rowing equipment visible inside and trees in the background. — Island Lake Rowing Club coaches Bill Stone and Deb Foreman outside the boathouse at Island Lake.

Finding Focus and Flow

Rowing takes practice and precision, especially when coming together as a team. Every new rower works at their own pace.

“For me, seeing the moment that they ‘get it’ is so enjoyable,” said fellow coach Deb Foreman, describing the smiles on their faces. “Whatever they might be struggling with that day, we have a rule: don’t bring it on the water. With rowing, you can zone out and just forget about the rest of the world for a bit. Once they’re out on the water, you see their smiles — and when they come back to shore, they’re still smiling.”

A person in a black t-shirt leans into a rowing boat to assist seated students, with others standing nearby on a wooden dock beside a lake with tall reeds. — Coach Deb Foreman helps Pine River students prepare to launch from the dock at Island Lake.

Eyes on the Regatta

Pine River’s student team will have the opportunity to put their new learning to work in two upcoming regattas:

The Hogtown Heats at the Argonaut Rowing Club in Toronto
The Muskoka Fall Classic at the Georgian Bay Rowing Club in Gravenhurst

A person sits in a rowing boat labeled “Swift Racing,” holding an oar near a wooden dock with water and floating debris. — A Pine River student prepares to row from the dock at Island Lake.

Connection in Motion

In the meantime, the twice-weekly practices at Island Lake provide students with a chance to sharpen their individual skills and come together as a team.

“The people you’re in the boat with? You really get in synch with them,” said one Pine River student. “It may not seem like a good way to connect because you’re not really talking — you’re rowing — but it’s really a great way to connect.”

Gratitude for a Shared Journey

We are deeply grateful to Island Lake Rowing Club and the opportunity its base and team graciously provide to our students.