Somerwil enters his 7th season as the head coach of the Brock men's and women's rowing program.

He has been involved in rowing for over 30 years as both an athlete and coach in all levels of rowing right from high school to the world rowing scene.

Somerwil began his rowing career in 1977 at Niagara District HS. From 1981-93 he rowed for the St. Catharines Rowing Club where he made an impact on the national scene as a member of the Canadian lightweight men's eight team (1989, 1992, 1993). He ended his rowing career as an athlete on a high in 1993 capturing gold at the World Championships in the lightweight men's eight.

After graduating from Niagara District HS in 1980, he coached the rowing program there for seven years from 1981-88. He was the coach of the lightweight men at the St. Catharines Rowing Club from 1996-98 and 2000. In 1999-2000 he coached Grimsby High School and for eight years he helped out as a part-time coach with the Brock University program.

Somerwil was the club captain of the St. Catharines Rowing Club where he ran all operational aspects of the rowing activities. In 2004 he had the opportunity to be highly involved with the 100th Anniversary of the club.

He also has been highly involved at the World level as an athlete, administrator and coach. He played a major role in both the 1996 World Junior Rowing Championships and 1999 World Rowing Championships both hosted by the St. Catharines Rowing Club.

Brock University men's rowing program has won four National Championships (1999, 2002, 2003, 2004) and eight Ontario Championships (1967, 1972, 1998, 1999, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2010).