ARA & RCA:
The 2020 Paralympic Games concluded on September 5, 2021 ending what was an historic six weeks for Alberta based athletes. Much has been made of the success of Alberta based athletes at the 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games so it won’t be repeated here. However, what is unknown is the following
- Four Alberta based athletes (Jessica Sevick, Kasia Gruchella Wesierski, Nicole Hare and Jeremy Hall)represented Canada at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics and Paralympic Games equalling the previous at the 2000 Olympics Games. Alberta based athletes Mike Belenkie, Bryan Donnelly, Morgan Crooks and Heather McDiarmid represented Canada at the Sydney Games.
- Alberta based athletes have represented Canada at every single Olympiad since 1992.
- Starting in 1992, over the last 8 Summer Olympiads, Alberta athletes have now returned home to Canada with an Olympic medal in five separate games.
Let history show that Alberta’s success in developing athletes to represent Canada at the Olympic/Paralympic Games was not an exception in 2020 but is more the norm. Any athlete who is rowing in our province today has the ability to achieve their own dreams in our province. Who knows, you may be the next athlete to represent Canada at an Olympiad.
Congratulations:
- To CRC / ERC athlete Karissa Riley and her lightweight double partner Sophie Inkpen who finished in 9th place at the U23 World Championships Racice, Czech Republic.
- To all Alberta athletes who attended the 2021 CSG Camp in Vermilion, Alberta. The skill level demonstrated by many of our athletes in Vermilion provides the ARA with considerable anticipation for what will come at the 2022 Canada Summer Games in Niagara, Ontario.
2021 National Rowing Championships
The 2021 National Rowing Championships are scheduled from November 11th to 13th in Victoria, British Columbia. The National Rowing Championships is a small boat regatta that looks to crown a national champion in the Men’s and Women’s 1x event as well as the Men’s and Women’s 2- event. On account of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic this year’s event will be scaled down, however it is the ARA’s intention to support eligible athletes in attending this event so as to provide a quality racing experience.
At this time the ARA has not finalized its selection document for this event, but we anticipate that one will be distributed to all athletes by mid-September. Athletes who do not meet the qualification standards to represent the ARA may still be considered to race at the NRC event by registering with your local club. However, all athletes should be aware that the event features many of Canada’s best athletes and thus the competition is fierce.
Provincial Carding
Athletes interested in being considered for Provincial Carding for the 2021-2022 season should familiarize themselves with the ARA carding document which can be found by following the link http://albertarowing.ca/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Provincial-Carding-2021.pdf
High Performance Training Sessions
For the past four months the ARA has been holding Friday afternoon training sessions for qualified athletes interested in attending the 2022 Canada Summer Games. The ARA would now like to open up these sessions to both prospective CSG athletes as well as athletes who are interested in attending the 2021 National Rowing Championships. The
sessions take place every Friday from 2:45pm to 4:15pm and typically focus on technical skills. The next session will take place on Friday September 10, 2021 and will run through to the end of October
Athletes are free to come to any of sessions as their schedule allows.
Upcoming Events
High Performance Training Session(s) Every Friday starting September 10, 2021
Dino Sprints September 25, 2021 – Calgary, Alberta Western Canada University Rowing Champs Oct 2, 2021 – Burnaby British – Columbia