The Beginning: Rowing in Saskatoon
Over 50 Years of Excellence on the South Saskatchewan River since its founding in 1972, the Saskatoon Rowing Club (SRC) has grown from a small group of passionate pioneers into one of prairies leading rowing communities. Built on a commitment to excellence, volunteerism, and athlete development, the club has produced Olympians, national champions, university medalists, and generations of lifelong rowers while helping shape the sport of rowing throughout Saskatchewan.
The Saskatoon Rowing Club was established in 1972 with the goal of preparing a crew to compete at the 1973 Canada Summer Games. At the time, Saskatoon had no rowing club, no boathouse, and no equipment. The club's first shell had to be borrowed from the Winnipeg Rowing Club until provincial funding allowed the purchase of its own boat. Without a permanent facility, equipment was stored behind the Bessborough Hotel, just blocks from the South Saskatchewan River. Despite these humble beginnings, the club successfully fielded a crew for the 1973 Games and sparked the beginning of organized rowing in Saskatoon. Many of those early members went on to help establish the Saskatchewan Rowing Association, creating the provincial organization that continues to govern and promote rowing across Saskatchewan today.
The Haver Family Legacy
No family has had a greater impact on rowing in Saskatchewan than the Haver family.
Founding member Bob Haver was instrumental in building the Saskatoon Rowing Club from the ground up. As an athlete, coach, administrator, and visionary leader, he helped expand the club's fleet, recruit new members, and establish a culture focused on athlete development and competitive excellence.
Serving as President of the Saskatoon Rowing Club and later in numerous provincial leadership roles, Bob also played a key part in strengthening the Saskatchewan Rowing Association and growing rowing opportunities throughout the province. His coaching and mentorship helped produce national champions, international competitors, and Olympians, earning him recognition as one of Saskatchewan's most influential sport builders.
The Haver family's contributions continued through John Haver, whose coaching has guided numerous athletes to provincial, national, and international success. Together, the Havers have inspired generations of rowers and helped transform Saskatchewan into a respected rowing province.
Founding member Bob Haver was instrumental in building the Saskatoon Rowing Club from the ground up. As an athlete, coach, administrator, and visionary leader, he helped expand the club's fleet, recruit new members, and establish a culture focused on athlete development and competitive excellence.
Serving as President of the Saskatoon Rowing Club and later in numerous provincial leadership roles, Bob also played a key part in strengthening the Saskatchewan Rowing Association and growing rowing opportunities throughout the province. His coaching and mentorship helped produce national champions, international competitors, and Olympians, earning him recognition as one of Saskatchewan's most influential sport builders.
The Haver family's contributions continued through John Haver, whose coaching has guided numerous athletes to provincial, national, and international success. Together, the Havers have inspired generations of rowers and helped transform Saskatchewan into a respected rowing province.
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A Permanent Home: The Victoria Park Boathouse
Throughout the late 1970s and early 1980s, the club continued to expand despite limited facilities. After Saskatoon was awarded the 1989 Canada Summer Games, plans accelerated for a permanent rowing facility that would serve the community long after the Games concluded.
The Victoria Park Boathouse officially opened in 1987 and was inaugurated by Queen Elizabeth II. Today, it remains the home of the Saskatoon Rowing Club, housing training facilities, fitness equipment, and a fleet of racing and recreational boats while providing year-round programming for athletes of all ages.
The Victoria Park Boathouse officially opened in 1987 and was inaugurated by Queen Elizabeth II. Today, it remains the home of the Saskatoon Rowing Club, housing training facilities, fitness equipment, and a fleet of racing and recreational boats while providing year-round programming for athletes of all ages.
Developing Champions
For more than five decades, the Saskatoon Rowing Club has been dedicated to developing athletes from their first Learn-to-Row lesson through to national and international competition.
The club offers programming for juniors, university athletes, masters rowers, para-rowers, and high-performance competitors, creating pathways that allow athletes to progress at every stage of their rowing journey.
The club offers programming for juniors, university athletes, masters rowers, para-rowers, and high-performance competitors, creating pathways that allow athletes to progress at every stage of their rowing journey.
National and International Success
Olympians and Elite Athletes The Saskatoon Rowing Club has proudly developed athletes who have represented Canada on the world stage.
Among its distinguished alumni are:
Among its distinguished alumni are:
- Tracy Duncan, Olympian in the Women's Lightweight Sculls at the 2000 Olympic Games.
- Cam Baerg, an internationally accomplished rower and Olympic silver medalist in the Men's Four at the 2004 Athens Olympics.
- John Haver, Pan American Games gold medalist.
- Larissa Werbicki, World Rowing Junior Championships silver medalist.
- Jacob Wassermann, Paralympian in mens singles at the 2024 Paris Olympics
- Calvin Pally, medalist at the 2025 CANAMEX Games
Recent National Championship Performances
- Grayson Laycock and Max captured gold in the U19 Men's Pair at the 2021 Rowing Canada National Rowing Championships
- The 2022 Canada Summer Games showcased the strength of the Saskatoon Rowing Club's athlete development program, with numerous SRC rowers representing Team Saskatchewan and earning podium finishes on the national stage.
Leading the way was Pepper Howe, who captured a bronze medal in the Women's Single Sculls before returning just 90 minutes later to help the Women's Quadruple Sculls crew secure a silver medal alongside fellow Saskatoon Rowing Club athletes Lauren Matai and Megan Kish.
On the men's side, Johnathan McLeod and Grayson Laycock teamed up to earn a bronze medal in the Men's Double Sculls, adding another national podium finish for the club.
Saskatoon athletes also played a key role in Team Saskatchewan's bronze medal-winning Women's Eight with Coxswain. The crew featured Elsa Lissel-DeCorby as coxswain, along with Megan Kish, Pepper Howe, Daya Wilde, Lauren Matai, and Mya Kelln, demonstrating the depth of talent developed by the Saskatoon Rowing Club.
With multiple medals and strong performances across several boat classes, SRC athletes helped establish Team Saskatchewan as one of the top rowing programs at the 2022 Canada Summer Games and reinforced the club's reputation for producing athletes capable of competing at the highest levels in Canada. - At the 2025 Canada Cup, Saskatoon Rowing Club athletes delivered outstanding performances while representing Team Saskatchewan against the nation's top under-21 competitors.
Adam Martens-Koop and Calvin Pally teamed up to capture gold, showcasing the strength of Saskatchewan's developing talent on the national stage. Individually, Calvin Pally also earned a bronze medal in the Men's Single Sculls, adding another podium finish to an impressive regatta.
In mixed competition, Heidi Wall, Sofia Hyra, Adam Martens-Koop, and Calvin Pally combined to win silver in the Mixed Quadruple Sculls. - At the university level, Pepper Howe represented Canada at the FISU World University Games, racing in the Women's Double Sculls and placing 7th overall against elite international competition.
Club Recognition |
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The Saskatoon Rowing Club's impact extends beyond athletic achievement.
In 2021, SRC received Rowing Canada's "Outstanding Achievement of the Year" Award, recognizing the club's innovation, community engagement, and commitment to growing the sport.
That same year, SRC hosted the inaugural Head of the Saskatchewan Regatta, welcoming athletes from across Western Canada and establishing one of the province's premier rowing events.
In 2021, SRC received Rowing Canada's "Outstanding Achievement of the Year" Award, recognizing the club's innovation, community engagement, and commitment to growing the sport.
That same year, SRC hosted the inaugural Head of the Saskatchewan Regatta, welcoming athletes from across Western Canada and establishing one of the province's premier rowing events.
Looking Forward
Today, the Saskatoon Rowing Club continues to build on more than 50 years of history by welcoming new participants, supporting competitive excellence, and fostering an inclusive rowing community.
From borrowed boats and temporary storage in 1972 to producing Olympians, national champions, para-athletes, and university medalists, the club's story is one of vision, perseverance, and community. As it looks to the future, SRC remains committed to inspiring the next generation of rowers and strengthening the sport of rowing across Saskatchewan.
From borrowed boats and temporary storage in 1972 to producing Olympians, national champions, para-athletes, and university medalists, the club's story is one of vision, perseverance, and community. As it looks to the future, SRC remains committed to inspiring the next generation of rowers and strengthening the sport of rowing across Saskatchewan.
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