On-Water?
Are you tired of the weather yet? The seemingly unending Alberta winter has one wondering if we will ever get on the water in 2018. Rest assured that despite the latest blast of winter weather, spring is not too far away and we will all be on the water in just a few short weeks for the start of another exciting season. Until then, keep grinding it out on the erg and in the gym so that you are physically ready to put the miles on the water. The end is near.
ARA Funding
For the better part of the past decade, the ARA athlete-funding model has gone virtually untouched. All of this changed this past month when the ARA Board agreed to a new funding model that will see the implementation of a Provincial Carding initiative. Under the new Provincial Carding Initiative, the ARA will provide direct funding assistance to 15 athletes who meet certain deliverables on the erg and on the water.
As part of this new initiative 50% of all provincial cards will be directed towards to those athletes who have a demonstrated ability to represent Alberta at the 2021 Canada Summer games. The remainder of all Provincial Cards will go towards our Junior (but not CSG 2021 eligible) U23 and Senior athletes who demonstrate an ability to win medals at national events like NRC’s and Speed Orders.
Once the ARA works out the final details of the program, we intend to visit clubs across the province to meet with athletes and coaches with the hopes of answering your questions and providing clarity around this exciting initiative. In the meantime, we encourage all ARA athletes to make sure they have a pulled a 2K erg in 2018 (one that they are pleased with) so they do not miss out on this opportunity.
RCA Speed Orders
Do you have aspirations this summer of representing Canada at the U23 or Senior World Championships? If so you will be required to attend the 2018 RCA Speed Order Regatta in London, Ontario from June 22-24. Following the event certain athletes may be asked to stay for a selection camp, which is slated to take effect from June 25-30th. Details around this event can be found by going to http://rowingcanada.org/news-events/news/2018-rca-speed-orders-fanshawe-lake.
Alberta athletes interested in attending Speed Orders are encouraged to contact albertarowing@gmail.com, who can provide some details that may assist you with planning for this regatta.
Upcoming Events
Clubs get on the water in a city near you – TBD