The
Bohemian
Amateur Athletic Association was founded
1897 alongside the other Brockville clubs "to embrace
every manner of sports" (Montreal Gazette) and
was also a founding club of the Canadian Canoe Association
in 1900. The club started out as a more viable option
for the working men of the community, initially christened
the Mechanics Athletic Association
of Brockville. Many members were from the Brockville
Rowing Club. Bohemian continued with C15 racing
until about 1906 at which point it left the CCA (after
the Dominion Championships which they attended). By
1913, the club disbanded and did not revive after WWI.
The building on Lachapelle Bay was taken over by the
Gilbert Boat Builders. Members were often known simply
as the "Bohs". Bohemian entered war canoe
races at the ACA Sugar Island Regatta while members
of the CCA. They finished runners-up to Brockville YMCA
in both C15 events in 1905.
