Adam Bliss takes the Gold!

On Saturday, September 28th, the Halifax Rowing Club hosted the annual Cogswell / Pelham Halifax Harbour Championship (Rowing) on the Northwest Arm. This historic event began 155 years ago when, in 1858, Dr. Charles Cogswell, physician and founder of the event, donated four hundred dollars and a belt for annual competition by single scullers in Halifax Harbour. The winner of three consecutive championships would retain the belt. In 1880, Warren Smith won and retained the belt after which the winner received a silver medal. A silver clasp was awarded for each subsequent win, but the winner of three consecutive races would receive a medal of Nova Scotia gold.

The traditional presentation of a silver medal and a cheque for $100 to the winner of the Cogswell HarbourChampionship persists to this day.  And those who win the event in three consecutive years receive the Cogswell Gold Medal and are ceremoniously awarded the historic Cogswell Belt, which is kept on display at the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic.

In the 2013 edition of the event, Adam Bliss of the Fredericton Rowing Club, won the event for the third year in a row. After winning in 2011 and 2012, Adam came to Halifax this year with one thing in mind, to win for a 3rd straight time and to win the Cogswell Gold Medal and to have his name inscribed on the historic Cogswell Belt.  Adam was up to this very tough challenge. Adam won the approx. 4 km rowing race in a time of 14 min and 23 seconds, finishing more than 1 minute ahead of his nearest competitor.

After the regatta, Adam was presented with the Cogswell Gold Medal by Tracy Cameron, rower and two time World Champion & Olympic Bronze Medalist.

The Halifax Rowing Club congratulates Adam on his success at the Cogswell / Pelham Halifax Harbour Championship over the past years, and on winning the Cogswell Gold Medal in 2013.