The Quinte Rowing Club traces its roots back to 1985. Scott Withers, had been employed in the Brighton area, and approached ex-Olympian rower (Rome 1960) Frank Zielski about starting a rowing club in the Quinte region.

In 1986, along with other individuals such as Frank Pinder, efforts were made to acquire rowing shells and other equipment. The new group eventually managed to secure the use of a former bottling plant along the bayshore in Belleville, near the foot of Herchimer street, from the City. A major construction expansion was undertaken in 1996, with a tremendous amount of volunteer time and labour involved. This expansion added washroom and shower space for both male and female rowers, a workshop bay, an indoor rowing training tank a second storey exercise room with weights and rowing ergometers, and a small office.

Today, the club boasts a premier rowing facility for Eastern Ontario and serves as a regional training centre. Rowers from other clubs and even from the national junior level, have used our facilities.

The club has always prided itself for its contributions to the development of young rowing athletes. The spring high school rowing programs attracted nearly 100 participants annually from area high schools, and we have rowers that have gone on to Canadian National, Canadian University as well as US NCAA levels of competition.

There is also a growing dimension to the sport in the adult segment that engages in recreational touring events, as well as adult masters competition.