Somerwil enters his 10th full season as the head coach of the
Brock men's and women's rowing program.
He has been involved in rowing for over 30 years as both an
athlete and coach in all levels of rowing right from high school to
the world rowing scene.
Somerwil began his rowing career in 1977 at Niagara District HS.
From 1981-93 he rowed for the St. Catharines Rowing Club where he
made an impact on the national scene as a member of the Canadian
lightweight men's eight team (1989, 1992, 1993). He ended his
rowing career as an athlete on a high in 1993 capturing gold at the
World Championships in the lightweight men's eight.
After graduating from Niagara District HS in 1980, he coached the
rowing program there for seven years from 1981-88. He was the coach
of the lightweight men at the St. Catharines Rowing Club from
1996-98 and 2000. In 1999-2000 he coached Grimsby High School and
for eight years he helped out as a part-time coach with the Brock
University program.
Somerwil was the club captain of the St. Catharines Rowing Club
where he ran all operational aspects of the rowing activities. In
2004 he had the opportunity to be highly involved with the 100th
Anniversary of the club.
He also has been highly involved at the World level as an
athlete, administrator and coach. He played a major role in both
the 1996 World Junior Rowing Championships and 1999 World Rowing
Championships both hosted by the St. Catharines Rowing Club.
Brock University men's rowing program has won five National
Championships (1999, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2012) and nine Ontario
Championships (1967, 1972, 1998, 1999, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2010,
2012).
