ARA AWARDS
At the conclusion of the 2014 ARA Erg Championships, the ARA recognized 16 athletes for outstanding achievements in the 2013 calendar year. The athletes were:
Sam Garber / Sam Hogman / James Kirker / William Kennedy
Each with ties to Canada’s west coast, this foursome won Alberta’s first medal of the 2013 Canada Summer Games (bronze in the LM4-) setting the table for what was to become a very successful regatta for Team Alberta. In addition to a bronze medal in the LM4-, this foursome also competed in the Heavy Men’s 4- where they finished fourth and the Open Men’s 8+ that finished in 6th place.
Stephen Holloway / Jack Dundas / Doug Doyle-Baker / Quinn Brandly
Three lightweights and one lightweight “wanna-be”, these four had originally set their sights on sweep events prior to the start of the 2013 Games. Fortunately for all of us, these four found an appreciation for sculling and more specifically the quad. Leading at the 1,000m mark at the 2013 Games, these four were able to hang-on over the last 500m and win Alberta’s second bronze medal of the 2013 Games.
Olivia McMurray / Olivia Fischer / Morgan Crilly / Mallory Turner
Each with a competitive fire that was sure to intimidate any rival, these four were able to set aside their rivalries and become a crew. What was to be a Western Canada sweep of the podium, these four saved their best row of the year for the final and would go on to beat Team Ontario for the bronze medal
Nicole Hare / Izabelle Belzil / Karen Guran / McKenzie Lukacs
These four found themselves at the start line of the Canada Summer Games after only 1 practice together. It did not seem to matter too much. The four would go on to win Alberta’s only silver medal of the games passing Ontario in the final few strokes to the finish line. In addition to a silver medal, Karen Guran and Nicole Hare would race together in the Open Women’s Double winning Alberta’s fourth bronze medal of the games. Nicole would also win gold in the women’s single, returning home to Alberta with a medal of every colour from the games.
Congratulations to each and every one of you for your accomplishments in 2013.
FAREWELLS
The ARA said good-bye to a couple of long time members in the month of March.
Sarah Laing: Since September of 2011, Sarah has been the Head Coach of the University of Calgary Rowing Club and overseen the Talent Identification and Development Program here in Alberta. While Sarah is hanging up her “Floater-suit” she isn’t going far; Sarah has decided to pull the cobwebs off of her uni-suit and return as an athlete. Sarah we will miss you.
Andy Nokes: A central figure within the Central Alberta Rowing Club, Andy has been a mainstay in Alberta Rowing for the better part of the past decade. Regatta Coordinator, coach, builder, official, and even athlete, Andy has literally done it all, and for that all we can say is thanks Andy.
While we do say good-bye as my uncle would say it is only for a while. We hope to see you both soon.
TID BITS OF ROWING NEWS AROUND THE ROWING WORLD
- Congratulations to Canada’s 2008 Gold Medal Winning Men’s 8+ for being inducted into the Canadian Sports Hall of Fame
- Brian Price – Cox of Canada’s Men’s 8+’s in both 2008 and 2012 retired from the sport in March
- Rabbit Lake in Kenora, Ontario will host the rowing events at the 2017 Canada Summer Games.
- Oxford won the 160th version of the Oxford –Cambridge Boat Race
ARA ERG CHAMPIONSHIPS
The ARA would like to thank the Central Alberta Rowing Club for all their efforts in hosting the 2014 ARA Erg Championships. The 2014 Erg Championships were the largest in recent memory if not the biggest of all time with over 130 athletes competing. Results from the event have been distributed to your coaches. Should you wish to obtain a copy of the results please get in touch with them.
Thank-you to everyone who participated in this year’s event. We look forward to seeing you at the 2015 event
UPCOMING EVENTS
Edmonton Boat Race – May 10, 2014