At Hatchets, we use rowing as a means to bring many of the things we value about the sport to our community: full-body fitness; love of the water and the outdoors; meaningful competition; and a reason to push yourself.
Our MISSION
We will grow the sport of rowing, in order to provide access to as many as possible to the physical and mental benefits offered by the sport. We will inject the communities in which we operate with the positive energy of those who are passionate about taking care of our environment and enjoying it in a manner that creates minimal impact and maximum connection. We will do this in a way that is sustainable for our growth, and yet accessible to all. We will help individuals meet and exceed their fitness goals and we will strive to bring peace, a sense of fulfillment and a desire to push boundaries to the minds and hearts of our rowers.
OUR PROGRAMS
As with many sports, we know that how programs are run makes a huge difference in both a participants ability to learn and grow, and the enjoyment of the sport overall.
Our priorities in running our programs include safety, consistency in coaching and personal connection.
Safety: Our coaches are all standard first aid and CPR certified. Coaches are trained every year in emergency action procedures in case of weather, health or other emergencies. Swim tests or swim level certification are required for those under 18. We have policies in place for cold water rules, distance rowers can be from a safety boat and review and train with these policies throughout the season.
Consistency in Coaching: Programs are created based on information from our federal sport body, Rowing Canada, but also heavily based on our own experience. Our programs are reviewed and tweaked every year by our own coaches. The days’ sessions are discussed at the end of each coaching day in order to share ideas for the next session. Notes on the rowers’ progress are kept and available at all times to all of the coaches so that we can provide consistent coaching on the water. We know that there is a fine balance between wanting to enjoy the solitude of rowing, and receiving enough feedback to learn and improve. We also know that this balance is different for everyone.
Personal Connection: We have a maximum of eight rowers in any of our group sessions, ensuring that our coaches get the chance to spend time with each of the rowers to work on technique, but also to ensure we know about why you’re here to row and ensure you get the most out of it. A lot of positive energy comes from working together on the dock getting equipment ready, and from reviewing how the row went once you get back to the dock.
If you have ever thought about rowing, now is the time to try it. With one of the most beautiful rowing courses in Canada, there is no better time to start than the present.
Our HiSTORY
Co-founders Kathy McCarthy and Jeremy Fowler both started rowing at their local high schools (1995 and 1994). Rowing became their motivation, their fun, their discipline, their drive and their social network. They both went on to row at university and coach at local clubs, and after working in different careers, they both realized that they wanted rowing to be something more, that they wanted to be able to use it as a tool and as their work to bring some of the same joy and passion to others that they got out of the sport.
In 2009, after coaching together at the Barrie Rowing Club, Kathy and Jeremy decided to move to Muskoka to start a rowing centre in a community with a seemingly endless supply of beautiful waterways.
Every year, we are fortunate enough to continue to grow our offerings in this community and beyond and look forward to each new step along the way.