Graduating Athlete: Kenny!
An integral part of the team for many years, we’re sad to see Kenny go! Here’s what his teammate, John, had to say about Kenny and his time with Blues Rowing:
Well it’s finally happening, Kenny Kimmins is officially hanging up his personal croaker oars for the final time as a Varsity Blue. Most of us thought this day would never come, and many still hold out hope this is another classic graduation fake-out, myself included.
However, as I write this I am caught up thinking about why we always wanted him to come back. Kenny is one of the most incredible people I have ever met, and I know many people would say the same. He is an unbelievable teammate, the kind of rower who will always put 100% of himself behind the oar no matter how early, cold, dark, wet, or hard the practice is. Kenny is the kind of teammate you know you can always rely on for a word of advice. No matter how frustrating the morning row, he was always there to be uplifting and constructive for his crew.
I think that Kenny’s impact on this team goes far beyond his work ethic on the water however. I think that this all boils down to the kind of person Kenny is. He is the best kind of friend you could ever hope for. He is reliable, hard working, and empathetic. He is so trustworthy in fact, that I and many others have placed our faith in his 2002 Lexus ES300 to get us safely too and from practice, despite all mechanical evidence pointing in the opposite direction, based solely on the fact he was the one behind the wheel.
Kenny’s impact on my life has been immeasurable. Without our first call in late 2020, I would have never even come to UofT or been a Varsity Blue. I learned very early how hard it was to say no whenever he gave me one of those big charming smiles. He has changed my life in so many ways, and I know that I am not alone.
Kenny, while you will be missed in those early morning briefings, know that your impact on myself and everyone else who has been part of this team is so much larger. You hold a special place in all of our hearts, and we know that you are going to do amazing and incredible things.
Graduating Athlete: Simon!
Here’s what his teammate, Simon (a different Simon) has to say about his time with Blues Rowing:
The reels and posters for his infamous U of Tearless are everywhere. Simons’ passion and dedication to what he does is obvious.
The ex-wrestler attitude showed up just as much in his two years on the team, everyday from the moment he barreled into the Argos parking lot on a bike to the hotel cutting sessions late at night, and all the insane stretching in-between (and the occasional marathon or two). He pushed the whole lightweight team to work just as hard on and off the water, leading a competitive race in the 8+ at Brock Invite and a memorable OUAs.
Thanks for always being there for support, advice, or just an extra session on the water, the team won’t be the same.
Graduating Athlete: Roxy!
Here’s what her teammate Sami had to say about Roxy and her time with Blues Rowing:
Not enough can be said about Roxy during her time with us. She broke the varsity 2k standard as a go-getter novice in 2022, won in the mixed reserve at McGill, and learnt how scull the following summer. Returning to a stellar first varsity season in the women’s eight that set the Head of the Trent course record, claimed gold at Guelph invite, silver at OUAs, and landed the A final at CUs.
Come summer 2024, Roxy carried that heat into every race she touched, taking on the Canadian 4+ trials and making the 1x feel like home, picking up wins across regattas. In her second varsity year, she kept grinding, chasing silver linings and podium finishes with silver medals at HOTT, Western, and NRCs in the 1x, and another at Canadian Henley in the 4x, and earning a spot in the 4- for the Junior Pan Am Qualification Regatta.
When she was not busy being a silly goose 🪿 (or chasing them), she’d be studying at quiet nooks at the library, looking at cute dogs online, or working away on making the Nutritional Sciences Student Association function as its co-president. Snacks in hand, a cheeky grin on her face, and a wit as sharp as her catches. She’s always in a mood for banter, or is busy offering words of comfort to athletes, both old and new.
She is the personification of grit, perseverance, and not letting it run when the going gets rough. Having pulled one of the fastest 2ks in the program’s history, she is off to St Catharines this summer to train with team Canada for the 2026 FISU Rowing Championships. Best of luck! We love you, Roxy 🫶.
Graduating Athlete: Liz!
While we’ll miss her, we’re so excited to see what she does next!
Here’s what her teammate, Yun, had to say about Liz and her time with Blues Rowing:
If you were to ask anyone on the UofT rowing team to name their most indispensable teammate, many (including myself) would say it’s Liz. Over the years, she’s grown from a determined novice rower into a confident, proud athlete in our varsity boats. But what she has given to this team goes far beyond her skill on the water.
To many of us, she’s been the “team mom.” Liz is the one who keeps us organized, checks in on everyone, and somehow always knows the right thing to say at the right time.
Liz started every morning by gathering the crew in her Mercedes and bringing that energy before the sun was even up. Whether she’s motivating us through a gruelling 500m piece or texting a friendly message in the group chat, she’s the “mother” we all rely on.
Over her coxing career, she has brought us to incredible finishes at HOTTs, Brock Invites, OUAs, and Nationals. She has a gift for getting the best out of her rowers, and we brought many medals home thanks to her. We will never forget the amazing memories we made with you, Liz! You have always been there for us, and don’t ever forget that we will always be there for you.
Thank you for everything you have given us; we want to take this chance to express our gratitude to you. Stay as funny, kind, and wonderful as you are! (P.S. You will be the best marketer out there!)
We 💙 The Challenge
Last weekend, Blues Rowing faced off against McGill in the 100th year of the Challenge. Winning two of four races and posting a lower culminating time, the Blues secured the win and kept the Stevens Cup at home.
📸: @barry.mcc
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WE ALL #BLEEDBLUE | #WeAreTO
Continuing a storied tradition. 🏆
Varsity Blues rowing retained the Terry & Aileen Stevens Cup to win ‘The Challenge’ on Saturday, a now 100-year old rivalry regatta versus McGill.
U of T earned victories in two of the four races while posting a lower cumulative time in total.
Looking back into the archives ahead of the 100th year of the Toronto-McGill Challenge.
Races kick off at 8AM Saturday May 2nd at Argonaut Rowing Club. Tune into our stories for race livestreams and results or come down to watch in person!
Special thanks to Sophie @sophie.cor , for putting the information sciences degree to work and making this graphic!
Archive Images: University of Toronto Archives. Thomas Richardson Loudon fonds, B1973-0017/001P(17)
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WE ALL #BLEEDBLUE | #WeAreTO
100 years since the first Challenge.
This Saturday (May 2) will see another meeting between the University of Toronto and McGill University rowing programs for “The Challenge”.
Beginning at 8am from the Argonaut Rowing Club, the traditional rivalry showdown will feature four races on the Lakeshore Channel.
Reconnect + Row 💙
Alumni and their families are invited to Blues Rowing’s Alumni and Family Row event on Sunday, April 26th. Whether you’ve been itching to get back in the boat, are missing your old crew mates, or your family members just don’t fully comprehend how cool you were in university, this event is sure to be a blast! We can’t wait to see our alumni back out on home waters!
The Alumni and Family Row will be held at Argonaut Rowing Club (1225 Lake Shore Blvd W, Toronto) on Sunday April 26. Attendees will meet in the Henley Room to reconnect with teammates and mingle beginning at 10:30AM. The event will include both learn to erg and learn to row portions for family, as well as the opportunity for alumni to get out for a row together with current team members. All those planning to participate in the on water portions of the event should bring clothing that is suitable for the weather conditions.
#uoftrowing #blueswomensrowing #bluesmensrowing
WE ALL #BLEEDBLUE | #WeAreTO
