The following year the first Canadian University Rowing Championships (CURC) was held at the basin with McGill acting as hosts.

In 2004 the men's eight won a silver medal, with current national team member Derek O'Farrell as bow seat.

The blades are coloured red with two white triangles on the edge forming a sideways M. The logo is the McGill shield in front of two crossed McGill oars with the university's motto Grandescunt Aucta Labore (By work, all things increase and grow) on the bottom.

These facilities include: The club also has an ergometer room at the Currie Gym, part of McGill's athletic complex.

Considered the Canadian equivalent of the famed Cambridge-Oxford and Harvard-Yale boat races, it takes place in late April alternating between Montreal and Kingston.

As of 2018, the race has not been held for a number of years, due to logistical challenges involving exam schedules.

Initially set to take place at the Lachine Rowing Club, the challenge was moved to the Olympic Basin after extreme weather conditions nearly sank one of Toronto's reserve eights.