The Mustangs Old Oars Club would like to invite you to celebrate 50 Years of Women's Rowing at Western University!

In 1969, the first women’s crew at Western competed as a club team.  Although there had been women’s crews at Western off and on before, this trailblazing group of women established women’s rowing at Western and laid the foundation for the first women’s intercollegiate rowing team at Western, in 1973.

Since its inception, Western’s rowing program – both its women and men - has become one of the most formidable rowing forces in Canada. 

Get your teammates together and join us as we celebrate these 1969 innovators on September 13-15, 2019.   

Weekend Schedule At-A-Glance
Friday, September 13, 2019
4:00 pm: Facility Tour at Althouse College, Western University. Come see Western rowing’s new, on-campus training facility.  
8:00 pm: Firepit at Ivey Spencer Leadership Centre, 551 Windemere Road. A chance for current members of Western’s team and Mustang alumni to meet each other, and learn what Western rowing means to them. A cash bar will be available. 

Saturday, September 14, 2019
Cheer on the current Mustangs at the Western Invitational Regatta, Lake Fanshawe, then join us for a memorable dinner at Storm Stayed Brewing Co., 169 Wharncliffe Road South.  Racing begins at 8:00 am, with the last race to go at 3:00-4:00 pm. Appetizers at 6:00 pm, with dinner at 7:00 pm. Enjoy an evening with old friends, good food, and local craft beer.  Beer, cider and wine are included with dinner. Storm Stayed has made a special beer just for this event and it can be purchased that evening.

Sunday, September 15, 2019
Step into a boat again and race at the annual Western Mustang’s Old Oars Regatta, Lake Fanshawe.  Meet at the Doug Wells Rowing Centre at 9:00 am for crew assignments.  Brunch, provided by our favourite, James’ Place, at 12pm at the Lake. 

Also on this special weekend, Western rowing will be honouring our long-time friend and teammate, Scott Frazer. Scott joined the Western Rowing program in 1977 and quickly became a major influencer.  His friends continue his legacy today. We will christen a new Western boat with Scott’s name following the Old Oars Racing. 

Registration fee is $110 per person. This price includes all events from Friday through to Sunday. 

Dress code is business casual. 

Please register online by Monday, September 9, 2019

Other Information Accommodations: rooms for out-of-town guests have been reserved at Ivey Spencer Leadership Centre for the nights of Friday, September 13th and Saturday, September 14th. Please use “Rowing 50th” when reserving your room. **Guests of Ivey Spencer are responsible for their own reservations, including booking, room rates, and incidentals. 

*With thanks to Heather Cartwright for the historical information from her book, Purple Reign:  60 Years of Western Crew (2017). 

Western Alumni is committed to accessibility for persons with disabilities. Please contact us if you have any particular accommodation requirements or require information in an alternate format.