A Brief History

The first rowing event on the Deas Slough was a BC Championship held on May 10 and 11, 1986. The event was a resounding success, and as a result, retired rowing Olympians, Lyle Gatley, Joy Fera, and Bill McKerlich and others formed a society, which was incorporated on December 3, 1986.

Coaches Murray Johnson and Lyle Gatley prepared students for the 1987 B.C. Summer Games hosted by the Delta Deas Rowing Club. West Shore terminals provided a dock for that event.

The following year, the GVRD gave approval for DDRC to operate in Deas Park and with the help of a "Go B.C." grant, donations from the Delta Credit Union and Delta Cablevision; ground breaking for the Boathouse took place in March 1988.

South Delta Secondary School students from Mr. Gatley’s Building Construction class, along with others, worked months on the project, completing it in time to host the B.C. Youth Championships in 1989.

In 1995 the DDRC members expanded the dock to reduce the impact on the foreshore, and to meet the growing needs of the rowing club and the community. Recently, DDRC has completed construction of a 1500 square foot boat-shed for external storage of shells, and dressed up the rowing site by placing paving stones on the water-side of the boathouse.

The DDRC has hosted an annual High School Regatta for the past 17 years, and a Masters regatta for the past 10 years.

Our Vision

"Promote, further and encourage the sports of rowing for the physical, competitive and social well being of the community."

Club staff, parents, volunteers and coaches are dedicated to help participants, and each other, realize their dreams and potential in a positive, constructive environment.