Brentwood College School made history at the 78th annual Canadian Secondary Schools Rowing Association National Rowing Championships, held from May 30 to June 1 in St. Catharines, Ont. The team's impressive performance set several school records, cementing its position as a Canadian secondary school rowing powerhouse.
Brentwood crews excelled across multiple events, winning 10 gold medals and two silver medals en route to a historic first for the program — claiming both the girls and boys national championship banners.
"2025 is the first year that Brentwood won both the boys and girls national championship banners in the same year," said Brentwood head of rowing, David Calder.
The team's 10 gold medals this year shattered the previous record of seven gold medals, set in 2023. Notably, Brentwood students won the Junior Girls 8+ (eight) for the fourth consecutive time, with each win coached by legendary Brentwood teacher and rowing coach Brian Carr.
Additionally, the Senior Girls 8+ (eight) won gold for the first time in the 50-year history of the girls rowing program.
"Placing second many times in its storied past, and inching ever closer each of the past two years (third in 2023 and second by three feet in 2024), Brentwood's seniors won the race by a whopping 11.5 seconds," Calder said.
Crews earning gold included: Novice Boys 8+, U17 Boys 4+, U17 Boys Lightweight 4+, U17 Boys 8+, U17 Girls 4+, U17 Girls Lightweight 4+, U17 Girls 8+, U19 Boys 2-, U19 Boys 4+, U19 Girls 2- (A), and U19 Girls 8+.
All told, 54 rowers represented Brentwood at the nationals.
"Every member of the 2024-2025 rowing program owns a piece of this historic outcome, and should be proud of their contributions to this team," Calder said.
Silver medallists were the Novice Boys 4x+ and the U19 Boys 8+ while the U19 Girls 2- (B) crew was fourth.
Joining Brentwood at the event was a smaller contingent from Shawnigan Lake School.
"We were thrilled with the conduct and performance of the Shawnigan Lake School rowers at Canadian nationals," said Shawnigan head of rowing Jennifer Parfitt. "Competing in highly competitive events like the Women’s Lightweight Double and Men’s U19 2x, our happy and hardworking team proudly brought home two silver medals and a bronze from incredibly deep fields."
