Say it isn’t so Davo
After 16 years, the province is hearing rumours that long-time CRC and ARA coach Chris Davidson is hanging up his megaphone to pursue other ventures. Chris Davidson started coaching in Calgary in the fall of 2004 after a storied career as an athlete having competed at the 2000 Olympic Games in the Lightweight Men’s Four. Chris’s impact in Alberta was immediate with over 50% of the athletes representing Alberta at the 2005 CSG coming directly from his program.
Chris coached the first of his Henley gold medal winning crews in 2008 – a Junior B Men’s quad. Upon learning that his crew had just won Henley gold, Chris broke down in tears demonstrating the passion that he puts forth in developing athletes on a daily basis. Chris would go onto win 6 more Henley gold medals over the years in turn developing provincial, national and even world champions within our sport. In addition to Chris’s successes in Calgary, he coached Alberta teams at both the 2007 WCSG and as well the 2009 CSG.
Chris’s successes however are not defined by the number of medals he has won but rather the legacy he has created in developing young adolescents into productive members of our society. Chris has helped mould teenagers into doctors, lawyers, teachers, engineers, electricians and countless other professions many of whom are now long time advocates of our sport.
I personally met Chris back in 1999 looking to take the leap and become a member of Canada’s national rowing team. Chris was the first individual to offer a lending hand to someone looking to take his place on the Olympic Team. It became apparent very quickly that I could not fill Chris’s shoes and after 20 years as both a friend, teammate and co-coach have realized that few if any can. Chris, thanks for all your efforts.
CANADA SUMMMER GAMES – WINTER CAMPS
As acknowledged in ARA Bulletin #9 the 2019 Canada Summer Games are fast approaching. To assist qualified Alberta athletes with their preparations the ARA is in the initial stages of planning a series of camps. The first of the camps in January and February will be open to all athletes while camps planned for March and April will be invite only. Please stay tuned for details in the December report.
UNIVERSITY SEASON
The University of Calgary attended the Head of the Charles Regatta for the first time this year and returned home with a bronze medal in the Open Women’s 4+.
The 2019 Canadian University Rowing Season wrapped up on November 3, 2019 with the Canadian University Rowing Championships, which were held in Victoria British Columbia. Both the University of Calgary and University of Alberta had athletes represented at this event. The University of Calgary Dino’s finished 8th overall in the women’s point standings thanks in part to a 5th place finish in the Women’s 8+. Meanwhile the University of Alberta finished 9th overall in the women’s point standings thanks in part to 8th place finish in the women’s pair. Congratulations to both schools.
Rowing Tidbits
· RADAR Reminder. A reminder to all ARA athletes that RADAR submissions are due November 30th. Athletes who are carded under the ARA Carding initiative are required to complete the battery of tests to continue with their carding eligibility.
· The 2019 Alberta Rowing Association Annual General Meeting (AGM) is being held this upcoming Saturday (November 16th) in Red Deer, Alberta. The meeting starts at 9:00am with a general discussion on the year that was. The formal part of the AGM begins at 1:00pm. The event is being held at the Cambridge Red Deer Hotel and Conference Centre located at 3310 50thAvenue in Red Deer Alberta. For those interested in sitting on the ARA Board there are four positions up for election in 2019. They are President, Treasurer, VP Technical and VP Development. The event is open to all.
Upcoming Events
ARA AGM November 16th
RADAR Submissions Due November 30th