Rules and Guidelines
It’s a team effort!
Newsletter Archive
The following age categories are per Rowing Canada Aviron (RCA) Rules of Racing, revised January 28, 2018:
1. Under 17 – A rower or coxswain may compete as an Under 17 competitor until the 31st of December of the year in which s/he reaches the age of 16.
2. Under 19 – A rower or coxswain may compete as an Under 19 competitor until the 31st of December of the year in which s/he reaches the age of 18.
3. Under 23 – A rower or coxswain may compete as an Under 23 competitor until the 31st of December of the year in which s/he reaches the age of 22.
4. Senior – A rower or coxswain of any age may compete as a Senior.
5. Master – A rower may compete as a Master from the beginning of the year during which s/he attains the age of 21. Master’s Age Classifications (age reached as of the current calendar year):
- AA age: 21-26 years
- A age: 27-35 years
- B age: 36-42 years
- C age: 43-49 years
- D age: 50-54 years
- E age: 55-59 years
- F age: 60-64 years
- G age: 65-69 years
- H age: 70-74 years
- I age: 75-79 years
- J age: 80-84 years
- K age: 85-89 years
- L age: 90 years and over
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MMAAC Rowing participation guidelines include:
- Please arrive 15 minutes before practice. Being on time will ensure each participant gets a seat in a boat. Late arrivals may not be able to participate.
- Please report all broken or damaged equipment to your Coach.
- Please wear snug fitting and weather appropriate clothing, as the MMAAC Rowing programs run ‘rain or shine’!
- Socks must be worn while rowing. This is an important measure to ensure proper hygiene in the rowing shoes.
- Follow the lake traffic pattern at all times.
- Conduct yourself in a mature and responsible manner and treat other club members and club equipment with respect at all times.
- Members, family, and friends are encouraged to become involved in all aspects of the club, including all social events! Members are encouraged to volunteer with the club including fundraising, boat bay maintenance and assisting with regattas.
- Click HERE to review the Mic Mac AAC Rowing Cold Water Rules.
The Mic Mac Amateur Aquatic Club Rowing program (MMAAC Rowing) designates a limited amount of space for members in good standing to store privately owned rowing shells (PORS). Details on the process for requesting and maintaining storage of PORS on site are outlined in the following document:
MMAAC Rowing Private Equipment Storage Agreement – March 27, 2017
Please feel free to contact the club at: micmacaacrowing@gmail.com with any questions.
All coaches at Mic Mac AAC Rowing are in-training, trained, or certified by Rowing Canada Aviron (RCA) as either Learn to Row Instructors, RCA Coaches, and/or RCA Performance Coaches. Each are experienced rowers, have completed Emergency First Aid / CPR training, obtained their Pleasure Craft Operators Card, and have been approved through the Criminal Records check with HRM Police.
Rick Storm, Coach – Junior / U23 / Sr / Adult Competitive Programs
Rick came to MicMac Rowing club in 2020 with over 30 years of rowing and coaching experience. He started rowing in his early teenage years winning several Henley medals and continues rowing to this date.
Rick started coaching rowing in 1990, coaching High School programs for many years. In 2005, Rick began coaching with the St. Catharines Rowing Club. He became Head Coach of the Jr.A mens program from 2012-2014, leading his crews to 4 gold Henley medals. During this time Rick was invited as assistant coach with the Jr. National Team winter training camp at Shawnigan Lake, British Columbia.
Rick will be overseeing and implementing the MicMac training and coaching program. He will also be coaching our Jr. Competitive and Adult Competitive program.
Mark Sebestik, Coach – Master’s Learn to Row, Novice
Mark started rowing in August 2017. He is an RCA Learn to Row Coach since August 2021 and is working towards RCA Coach Certification. His focus is coaching adult indoor rowing in the winter months and On-Water Adult Learn to Row, Novice, and Recreational rowers.
Mark has raced in several local regattas over the years and has participated in many Coastal Rows in the Maritime Provinces. He joined the Mic Mac AAC Master’s competitive group in 2022. He competed at the Canadian Henley Regatta 2022, Red Island Regatta 2019 and 2022 and the World Rowing Indoor Championships held in Mississauga in February 2023.
Mark has volunteered as timer and Safety Boat driver at many local Regattas since 2018 and has learned the role of Rowing Regatta Statistician.
An avid runner, Mark can be found racing in many 5km and 10km races around Nova Scotia since 2020 (Road and Trails), Hiking and camping when he has time are also some of his pleasures.
Catherine Ozon, Coach-Novice Rowing
Catherine started rowing in 2015 at Mic Mac AAC and has loved the sport ever since.
She has coached both Juniors and Masters, from Learn to Row to Recreational groups. Catherine trains and competes with the Master’s Competitive team. Catherine has had opportunities to row in regattas in the Maritimes and Ontario and is a keen competitor and a fantastic team player!
In October 2022, Catherine crewed in the Women’s 8 that raced at the Head of the Charles Regatta in Boston. She is excited to return to coaching this year.
Angela Hersey, Coach – Adult Learn to Row, Novice
Angela started rowing as a Junior in 1998, right here at Mic Mac AAC. In 2001 she rowed with team Nova Scotia at the Canada Games, competing in the W8+. Soon after, she was recruited by Halifax Rowing Club to cox their master’s women’s 8+ crew that went on to compete at the Head of the Charles Regatta in Boston. In 2006 Angela taught Learn-to-Row at the Vancouver Rowing Club, sharing her knowledge and love for the sport to the eager new athletes. After a few years hiatus from rowing she came back to rowing in NS, and rowed for several years at Halifax Rowing Club and Mic Mac AAC. After successfully leading the Adult Masters Competitive program from 2017 to 2019. Angela now coaches the University Programs.
A committed group of volunteers serves as the Steering Committee for the MMAAC Rowing Club. They manage all aspects of club operations including membership, programming, staffing, finances, equipment, and facilities.
Steering Committee Members for 2024-25:
- Mark Sebestik – Chair of the Rowing Committee
- Sandra Bermingham
- Rhonda Wilson
- Catherine Ozon – Registrar Rowing
- Linda Young
- Leah wood
- Daniel Chevalier
Rowing Representatives on the Mic Mac AAC Board of Directors (effective March 2023)
- Mark Sebestik
- Sandra Bermingham
- Rhonda Wilson
MMAAC Rowing is organized and managed almost exclusively by volunteers.
“It takes a village” to maintain and grow the club, and provide a positive experience for program participants. MMAAC Rowing encourages its members to become involved in the clubs operation. Volunteering is a great way to make friends and to become part of the rowing community.
There are various ways you can help out at the club!
- Volunteer at regattas as a timer or safety boat operator. Consider becoming certified to serve as an Official.
- Be on a Committee
- Volunteer specific skills, services, or materials
- Fundraising activities
Our goal is to share the work, make new friends and have fun!
Parents – you are already supporting our athletes by engaging them in an activity that allows them to be active and outside, learning life skills such as teamwork and communication. Thank you for the many drives back and forth to their practices; for ensuring they are well fed, hydrated, and rested; and that they can pursue their rowing dreams of success!
Coaches – Most coaches work many hours beyond what they are paid for. They attend various training sessions to ensure they are providing a safe environment for their athletes to perform their very best. Ask your Coach what you can do to help… simple acts of assistance help the Coach focus on what is most important.
Fans – Come cheer us on! Whether at a local or international regatta, Novice or high performance, all athletes deserve a cheering section. See our calendar for a list of upcoming events.
Fundraising – there is a cost associated with providing suitable equipment, environment, programs, and coaching to athletes, The best fundraising strategy is to build our membership. Please consider any of the following financial contributions:
- Refer a friend to join one of our programs
- Support a young athlete by sponsoring their registration fees, uniform purchase, etc
- Attend or support one of our many annual fundraisers
- Contact our Steering Committee regarding a large contribution. We are open to various forms of recognition, to be discussed with the donor.
April 5, 2018 – SPRING / SUMMER PROGRAM INFORMATION AND REGISTRATION
October 30, 2017 – REMINDER: WINTER PROGRAMS START TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 14
October 22, 2017 – WINTER PROGRAMS START TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 14
August 23, 2017 – FALL PROGRAMS START SEPTEMBER 5
June 16, 2017 – SUMMER PROGRAM REGISTRATION REMINDER
June 11, 2017 – FEELS LIKE SUMMER!
May 9, 2017 – SPRING INTO ACTION
May 8, 2017 – SPRING / SUMMER REGISTRATION REMINDER
April 7, 2017 – SPRING / SUMMER REGISTRATION REMINDER
March 25, 2017 – SPRING / SUMMER REGISTRATION
March 3, 2017 – SPRING AND SUMMER PROGRAM REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN!
November 13, 2016 – PREPARING FOR WINTER
November 5, 2016 – WINTER TRAINING REMINDER
October 18, 2016 – WINTER TRAINING
September 16, 2016 – FALL ROWING IS FUN!
August 22, 2016 – LAST WEEK OF SUMMER ROWING!
August 14, 2016 – FALL REGISTRATION INFO