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The Challenge - a 100-year-old tradition 💙

Graduating Athlete: Peter!

A huge contributor to the program’s success, we’re sad to see Peter go, but excited to see what he’ll accomplish moving forward! Here’s what his teammate, Jack, had to say about Peter and his time as a Varsity Blue:

A few days into his first year, Evanston Township High School’s most locked in hockey player Peter Hansen rolled up to novice tryouts with the intention of continuing his legacy as a varsity athlete. While he didn’t quite make the cut for on-water tryouts, his small-yet-potent persona captured the attention of our coaches, who reached out and asked about his interest in coxing the novice women’s team. After a stellar season, this “novice woman of the year” made our varsity team and soon became a central figure in the UofT Rowing community, which seemingly patched his gender incongruence and resulted in him being named “most improved man” for his first-year varsity season and “coxswain of the year” in his second.

Peter has an unwavering care for his teammates’ success both on and off-water and has formed close bonds with each of us to make sure we’re managing life and rowing successfully. When on the water, he is laser focused on our success, running practices with care and making sure we’re all reminded of why we do what we do, and what we can do to do better. Off the water, check-ins with individuals who might be struggling with personal issues or more broadly with the team regarding expectations are subtle reminders that he is leaving behind some enormous shoes to fill.

Graduating Athlete: Charlotte!

Bringing great vibes and huge watts to the team this season, we’re sad to see Charlotte go, but so excited to see what she’ll accomplish going forward! Here’s what her teammate, Augusta, has to say about Charlotte and her time with Blues Rowing:
Charlotte began rowing in the fall of 2024 with UofT’s novice program and quickly established herself as a staple member of the team. In her novice season, she helped secure a gold medal at Trent, followed by a silver at OUAs, and a reserve boat win at McGill. Over the summer, Charlotte kept that momentum going, putting in the work with the Argonaut Rowing Club and continuing to build on her strength and skill. Her commitment and dedication paid off, earning her a spot on the varsity team in the fall, where she raced in both the eight and the four, taking home a gold medal at the Guelph Invitational.

Charlotte’s success on the water is matched by her achievements academically. Balancing the demands of a chemistry specialist with a full training and racing schedule, she has excelled in both areas and earned a spot at ETH Zurich, where she will be heading for graduate studies next year (viel Glück!).

Charlotte brings competitiveness, commitment, and dependability to everything she does. She’s the kind of teammate who shows up, puts in the work, and leads by example, consistently pushing those around her to be better (and she also happens to be the best Trent double partner!).

I am so grateful to have gotten to know Charlotte over the past two seasons, and we are all so excited to see what’s next for her. We look forward to hearing about everything she accomplishes in the years ahead!

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

#uoftrowing #blueswomensrowing #bluesmensrowing

WE ALL #BLEEDBLUE | #WeAreTO

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

#uoftrowing #blueswomensrowing #bluesmensrowing

WE ALL #BLEEDBLUE | #WeAreTO

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

#uoftrowing #blueswomensrowing #bluesmensrowing

WE ALL #BLEEDBLUE | #WeAreTO

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

#uoftrowing #blueswomensrowing #bluesmensrowing

WE ALL #BLEEDBLUE | #WeAreTO

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

#uoftrowing #blueswomensrowing #bluesmensrowing

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Women’s Varsity Eight

Men’s Varsity Result - McGill 1st place

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)

#uoftrowing #blueswomensrowing #bluesmensrowing

WE ALL #BLEEDBLUE | #WeAreTO