It was with delight that we received this email from Dr Tim Prince in Canada who was re-aquainted with our 'genius of the stage' Lewis Hancock!!

Sent: 03 February 2007 14:23
To: Williams, Richard
Subject: Lewis Hancock-"Genius of the stage"

Good Morning Richard,

I was researching the ARA today (My wife Michelle is rowing ? for Canada.. we hope this year so I was dragging up erg results of the oppo) when I decided to find an old friend Lewis Hancock, lo and behold at your website I discover his mugshot and of course had to get in touch.

Lewis and I had an amazing three years of tolerating each other every summer. We rowed together in 2-,2x ,4x, and 4-'s. We rowed  at the Canadian Championships,Royal Canadian Henley Regatta and the World Rowing Champs in Milan 1988-Ltwt2x. He was a genius of the stage even then and could be often heard bellowing out a little ditty accompanied by some sort of musical instrument, fortunately we had some sound-proofing in our home!!

He was one of the toughest b******* when it came to pulling and made the most of his physical attributes. My fondest memories in rowing are still with Lewis, he always had my back whether on the water or off...We set some unprecedented records in Canadian rowing, as we are both very stubborn individuals. After losing the Pan-Am trials in 1997 due to some political inadequacies, so to speak, we decided to conquer the local rowing scene to prove a point. We determined to not only take on the sculling gods but also the sweep. In the end we remained undefeated in both 2x's and 2-'s. We won four golds at Royal Canadian Henley for Fredericton Rowing Club including IntLtwt2-,Int2-,SenLtwt2- and2x. We qualified for the Sen2- as well but could not fit it in on the Finals day. As it was  this feat will never be duplicated  as we won the Senllwt2- and 2x just 20 minutes apart on the race schedule, we finished the 2- rowed to the dock jumped in the 2x and rowed directly into the starting gates, history and redemption!

The next year we rowed in Milan. Lewis will remember that we were self -funded having to buy our own uniforms and rent our own Stampfli, another story...I could go on and on but all I can say is that Lewis is quite a man and continues to give back to the sport he loves as do I. Could you please forward this to him and post at the club site if you wish. Tell Lewis I missed his spirit but it appears it is still alive and well.

Carpe Diem.

Respectfully yours in rowing,
Dr Tim Prince (Ridley Graduate Boat Club)

P.S. If any of your club members require any kind of help re-visiting Canada,rowing at Canadian Henley (road trip!) please let me know.