Niagara College Broadcasting – Radio, Television and Film (BRTF) faculty, students and alumni were behind the livestream production of another major sporting event in the local community.
The 2024 World Rowing Championships, held from August 18 to 25, welcomed 2,500 athletes from over 60 countries to the historic Royal Canadian Henley Rowing Course in St. Catharines.
To help shine the spotlight on the athletes, the sport of rowing and the Niagara region to the world, NC professor Peter ‘Dutch’ VandenBerg and his broadcasting team captured more than 41 hours of live coverage during the Championships, streamed on CBC Gem, www.worldrowing.com, and the World Rowing YouTube channel.
The extensive coverage drew over 324,000 views on YouTube alone, enabling fans to watch the races from all over the globe.
Elevating the crew’s ability to produce a well-rounded broadcast, was the integration of multiple strategically placed microphones and cameras, including equipment mounted to the metered stanchions on the edge of the 2,000-metre course and in the new Aligner Hut built by students in the College’s Carpentry and Renovation Technician program. A live drone following the action was also used during the semifinals and finals, while some of the newer fiber optic technology available to the crew was acquired from BRTF’s involvement with the Niagara 2022 Canada Summer Games – legacy equipment that will benefit students for years to come.
Professor Dutch VandenBerg
VandenBerg described the opportunity as a “labour of love” and spent two full years working on the project. To have current students and alumni get involved and watch them flourish in their roles during the event was palpable for VandenBerg.
“I am always humbled and proud of the incredible efforts of our students and grads. They all bring their A-game when it counts and they manage to work so well in high pressure situations,” he said.
“The expectations for these types of productions are very high and the crew didn’t disappoint. The magnitude of this opportunity was understood, respected and they executed at the highest level. I am privileged to be able to work alongside them and witness their excellence.”
For third-year student Taiwo, who moved to Canada from Nigeria in 2022 to attend the BRTF program after working as a Technical Producer in her home country, covering the Championships was an opportunity to build on her skills and “up her game.”
Third-year student Taiwo
“The opportunities that we get here… even people in the industry don’t get these types of opportunities. Back home, I couldn’t get these opportunities if I tried, so it’s truly amazing,” she said.
Connecting with with alumni like Jon Kitiwano (2019), Lead Audio Mixer and Audio Designer for the broadcast, was also a highlight.
“I worked with Jon in audio and he’s a role model. He’s exactly what I would like to be when I finish school – he’s an audio engineer at Dome,” said Taiwo.
Alumnus Jon Kitiwano
“I’ve learned so much about what they do every day, what it’s like to work in the real world, how different it is, the kind of challenges, what you need to learn, the person you need to be, the hard work, the long hours.”
Gabriel Klassen (2017) and Carter Hendriks (2022) were also among the alumni who supported the broadcast.
With his experience working as a graphics operator at TSN and CTV, and a personal connection to rowing, VandenBerg recruited Klassen to fill the role of Director. It was an opportunity that he was excited, yet nervous to take on.
“I directed quite a bit in college when I was in the BRTF program, but I haven’t directed since then. I shook off the rust on the first day and then it all came back pretty quickly,” said Klasen.
Alumnus Gabe Klassen
In his role, Klassen kept a sharp eye on the various camera feeds and decided which camera would go live to air at all times. Directing the broadcast as a former rower and rowing coach helped him make those decisions with confidence.
“It’s interesting how it’s all come to this point. I was a rower for seven years and a rowing coach for five years; that was my previous job before I got my first job in television,” said Klassen, who rowed with E. L. Crossley Secondary School in Fonthill. “So, it’s like the last 16 years or so of my life have come together in this moment.”
For Hendriks, an engineering technician with Dome Productions who, as a student, worked as VandenBerg’s “right-hand” during the N22 Summer Games. Hendriks was honoured to serve as Technical Producer/Engineer for the Championships in his hometown.
“I was excited to get to work with [the program] again and after having more experience in the working world compared to when I was doing the Summer Games, I felt like I was able to contribute on a higher level than I was back then,” he said.
Hendriks was involved in the technical setup of the mobile truck, the control room and cameras, as well as the coordination of timing, networking and connectivity throughout Henley Island working with multiple event partners requiring a connection.
“The biggest thing was working with so many moving parts,” he said. “It’s one of the larger shows that I’ve been involved with in a lead position.”
This fall, Hendriks will be travelling throughout the United States to cover college football with fellow BRTF alumnus and Dome colleague Dakota Troup. The 14-week opportunity comes on the heels of covering games four and seven of the NHL Stanley Cup Final.
Watch the BRTF crew’s coverage on the World Rowing YouTube channel.
Alumnus Carter Hendriks (right) with President Sean Kennedy at Henley Island
The role of NC Community Relations and Events
President Kennedy presents medals on the final day of competition, Aug. 25
Leading up to and during the World Rowing Championships, NC’s Community Relations and Events (CRE) team played a significant role in supporting the needs of the BRTF crew and the host society.
The team developed a partnership agreement with World Rowing, which led to the College being a presenting sponsor at the Barenaked Ladies concert, held on April 25 at the Meridian Centre in St. Catharines, and a community sponsor in all World Rowing materials.
NC’s involvement included an opportunity for President Sean Kennedy to present medals during the Championship finals on August 25 and on August 21, the College hosted the World Rowing Media Night at Benchmark Restaurant for 50 guests and members of the host society.
At the event, students led interactive food stations, poured NC products and Sarah Scott, Community Relations and Events Specialist, hosted tours of the Daniel J. Patterson Campus for international media from all over the world.
Notable as well, the CRE led the media announcement and all supporting activities around the new Aligner Hut unveiling.
