Peterborough Police Urge Community to Stay Safe During Head of the Trent Regatta

With the Head of the Trent Regatta and homecoming this weekend, the Peterborough Police Service and Trent University urge the community to celebrate the weekend safely.  

Photo by David Tuan Bui.

Despite no official celebrations taking place off-campus, both Trent and the Police Service are aware that many unsanctioned gatherings occur outside the campus. The two organizations have collaborated to ensure a safe weekend for all.

“We are excited for this weekend.  It’s good for the community; it’s good for Trent.  They are a close working partner with us,” said Staff Sergeant Mark Reesor. The weather is going to be great, and we ask that people enjoy the activities and weekend responsibly.”

He continues to state that as a result of these celebrations, there will be an increased police presence on campus and in certain areas throughout the weekend.

“We ourselves are bringing in our crowd management team, and then there will be additional paid duty offices both on-campus and off-campus,” he explained. “I think we have about four officers on campus and seven officers in addition to our crowd management team and then at night, an additional four, bringing us up to 11. We also have our auxiliary unit to support us so there will be a larger-than-normal police presence to respond appropriately and ensure everyone's safety.”

Part of the advanced planning also included meetings with neighbours and students.  The Peterborough Police Auxiliary Unit has visited areas that have seen an increase in unsanctioned student activity in previous years to offer suggestions on improving property safety.  Police say the feedback on this effort has been overwhelmingly positive, indicating that it was appreciated and well-received. 

During large events, 9-1-1 communicators tend to receive more calls regarding noise, disturbances, mischief, property damage and impaired driving. 

The Police Service ask the community to help ensure the safety of all and to call if they spot any suspicious or concerning activity. 

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54th Head of the Trent Weekend Rowing Its Way For Oct. 3 to 5

A major university tradition is back as the 54th annual Head of the Trent (HOTT) Weekend takes place from Oct. 3 to 5, featuring world-class rowing, spirited varsity competition, alumni gatherings and family-friendly activities.

Photo courtesy of Trent University.

“Head of the Trent is a time-honoured tradition where generations of Trent pride and spirit converge,” said Julie Davis, vice-president, External Relations & Development. “It brings together our alumni, students, and community along the river and across campus to celebrate what makes Trent University so special. It’s an experience unlike any other, and we invite everyone to be part of it.”

The Head of the Trent Regatta, hosted by the Peterborough Rowing Club, remains the centrepiece of the weekend. Since its inception in 1971 with just 13 boats, the regatta has grown into one of the largest head races in North America, with over 800 boats and 1,400 athletes competing along the five-km course on the historic Trent-Severn Waterway.

This year, regatta spectators can enjoy premium riverside viewing from the revitalized Founders Walk along the Otonabee River and a licensed area inside and outside of the Ceilie Pub in Trent’s Champlain College. The Peterborough Rowing Club is also providing livestream coverage and commentary available throughout the weekend.

The event pays tribute to the late Chris Leach ’70, who is considered a ‘founding father’ of the rowing community in Peterborough. He led the charge to establish the inaugural Head of the Trent Regatta in 1971 and was a founder of the Trent Rowing Club and Peterborough Rowing Club. The Trent University Rowing Club will sell a commemorative mug featuring one of Leach’s quintessential quotes as part of their annual merchandise sales at Head of the Trent in support of Trent’s renowned rowing program.

With premium rowing, varsity games, alumni gatherings, and family-friendly activities, the Symons Campus has activities for everyone all weekend. Featured activities include:

• Rowing Recognition: Join the Trent Alumni Rowing Social on Friday, Oct. 3, featuring the christening of a new single rowing shell and a tribute to the late Chris Leach ’70.

• Alumni Gatherings: Visit the Alumni Welcome Tent (9 a.m. to 4 p.m.) on the upper Bata Podium to activate your Trent Alumni Perks and enjoy giveaways, family games, and exclusive perks.

• Family Fun: Bring the kids to the expanded Kid’s Zone Children’s Area (Saturday 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.) at the Lady Eaton College lawn for play zones, giant games, Bluey & Bingo appearance with The Play Spot Peterborough and animal encounters with Zoo to You. This event is free to attend and brought to you by the Trent University Alumni Association.

• Food and Refreshment: Enjoy a range of cuisine in the food truck area in the parking lot near Bata Library, or enjoy eats with prime riverfront views at the Ceilie, the only licensed location on campus (no cover, and all ages are welcome).

• Varsity Competition: Cheer on the Trent Excalibur with a full schedule of varsity games throughout the weekend, including men’s and women’s rugby, volleyball and soccer. Don’t miss Saturday’s pep rally at 11 a.m., led by the Trent Pom Team, designed especially to get Trent fans fired up.

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Virtual Homecoming and Head of the Trent Rowing Regatta Return

Trent University’s annual Homecoming will be virtual for the second year in a row, with the annual Head of the Trent Rowing Regatta being open to athletes and coaches only.

File photo.

‘Homecoming from Home’ will include virtual coffee houses, a virtual scavenger hunt and live streams of varsity games from Monday - Friday.

“While we are delighted to have our Trent University students back on campus for in-person learning, health and safety remains of paramount importance,” said Julie Davis, vice-president of External Relations & Development, Trent University. “We are looking forward to connecting with alumni virtually for Homecoming celebrations and to cheering on our Trent Excalibur student-athletes safely from home.”

To view the full virtual homecoming schedule click here.

This year marks the 50th anniversary of the Head of the Trent Regatta, due to last years event being cancelled.

The Head of the Trent Regatta, hosted by the Peterborough Rowing Club, will be open to athletes and coaches only.

The regatta beer garden will not take place and no social events will be held on campus or at the Rowing Club.

Visit the Regatta Central website for full details.

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Expanded Head Of The Trent Regatta For Trent’s 49th Annual Homecoming

Trent University’s 49th Annual Homecoming and Head of the Trent Regatta take place October 4th to 6th. The event features alumni activities, campus tours, varsity sports and a two-day rowing head race—all free to spectators and fans. Free parking is available to all on Trent’s East Bank, via East Bank Drive.

“The annual Homecoming and Head of the Trent Regatta has been running for almost 50 years,” says Lee Hays ’91, director of Alumni Engagement & Services. “This exciting fall tradition has something for everyone to enjoy, during one of the most scenic times of the year. In addition to rowing and varsity games, all Colleges are open and look forward to welcoming their alumni back to campus.”

The annual weekend has grown to feature not only two days of rowing—it includes over 500 boats and more than 2,000 athletes from clubs and universities across Canada and the northern United States—but also a full slate of varsity and alumni games including lacrosse, rugby, soccer and volleyball.

Head of the Trent photo courtesy Trent University

Highlights of the 2019 Homecoming & Head of the Trent Regatta include…

• Campus Tours: Future students are invited to experience the spirit of the Trent campus and community. Tours run hourly from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday from the Athletics Centre.

• Alumni: Visit the Alumni welcome tents on the Bata Library podium to pick up your Alumni bracelet for special perks, take part in giveaways, purchase swag, or enjoy live music at the Alumni pub gathering in the Ceilie.

• College Rally & Reunions: Stop by your college between 11:00 a.m. – 1:30 p.m., purchase swag and meet the college principals. Reunions culminate in an all-colleges rally at 2 p.m. on the Bata Library podium for a special announcement.

• 1969 Men’s Rugby Team Reunion featuring an alumni exhibition game, coffee and refreshments, as well as recognition of the team during half time of the 5:45 p.m. game between Trent Excalibur Men’s Rugby game as they play the University of Toronto.

• Varsity Games: Stop by the Justin Chiu Stadium and the Athletics Centre, wear your Trent green, cheer on the Excalibur.

• Family Zone: Crafts, games and face painting for the kids at Justin Chiu Stadium.

• Rowing, rowing and more rowing: New this year the Head of the Trent Regatta runs Saturday and Sunday!

• Rower’s Beer Garden: Saturday from 12:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., located in Lot G behind Lady Eaton College. Enjoy live music and food, collect this year's Head of the Trent mug and support rowing at Trent and in Peterborough. Alumni can bring their alumni cards to receive a green ID bracelet to access the fast track line.

Click here for a full schedule of events, and here for more details about the regatta. 

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Head Of The Trent Is This Weekend

A sign that Fall is upon us is when it's time for Head of the Trent, which is held this weekend. This annual regatta was started by the founder of the Trent University Rowing Club, Chris Leach, back in 1971 and has been a much anticipated event each year since. Check out the schedule of events or visit their Facebook page.  

[Head of the Trent 2010]

[Contributed by PtboCanada's Julie Morris]

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PtboPics: Head of the Trent!

A team from PCVSA team from Trent[Photos by PtboCanada's Evan Holt]

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