Tillsonburg rower wins at provincial masters

Donna Sykes recently came home with some hardware around her neck after competing in a rowing competition in Welland. She started as a rowing competitor in high school. (Submitted Photo)

Jeff Helsdon, Editor

A Tillsonburg rower came home from the Ontario Masters’ Rowing Championship with some hardware around her neck.

Donna Sykes was first in Class D (50-54 years of age) at the RowOn Masters Championship held recently in Welland. She also placed second in the Singles Lightweight All-Ages Category.

Starting rowing in high school, Sykes took a break from it for several years. Then someone she knew in high school convinced her to come back to the sport.

“She hounded me and hounded me, I came out and got hooked,” Sykes recounted.

She contacted Tricia Giesbrecht (Sandham), her high school rowing partner, and convinced her to row again. The two of them have been racing doubles since 2020, and Sykes also raced singles.

The club isn’t as large as it once was. Members practice regularly on Lake Lisgar. There is no longer a high school team, and the club has less than 10 rowers. For Sykes and Sandham, this means there is no coach, so they coach themselves.

“It’s tough when you don’t have anyone there in a coach boat to critique you,” Sykes said.

Still, they do win, as evidenced by Sykes’ recent performance.

They are presently the ones in the Tillsonburg Rowing Club competing. They are hoping to convince some of the newer members to try competing this fall.

“We’re trying to get some of the new rowers out and hoping they like it,” she said.

Club president Frank Tamasi is leading efforts to try to increase membership. At one time, the Tillsonburg Rowing Club had a large membership of high school, recreational and competitive rowers.

“We’re trying to get this thing revived,” Sykes said.

For more information, visit the club web site at http://www.tillsonburgrowingclub.com or contact Sykes at tfc1975@kwic.com or 519-550-3370.