December Monthly Bulletin

A Holiday Poem ( A revival from 2015 and 2016) 

Twas the night before Christmas And all through the Boathouse
The ergs were a humming under the eye of Coach Nick Krause
The shells were slung on the stretchers with care
In hopes that St. Nick could somehow repair.   

Another erg done had my legs feeling like lead
What was I doing I must be losing my head.
I got ready to leave and put on my cap.
This boy was done.  He needed a nap. 

When all of a sudden there rose such a clatter
I grabbed an oar before pursuing the matter
When what to my weary eyes should appear
Was Mr. Peter Walsh the ARA’s fearless leader.

He was seen jumping and dancing with his executive team
And made it well known that 2017 was truly a dream 
Medals at CSG and NRC were records all around
And the organization itself was fiscally sound.   

But spoke not a word for he knew 2018 was near
And there are sure to be new challenges in the coming year.   

To everyone in the ARA all the best this holiday season 

RCA Board
The ARA congratulates Carol Hermansen – Past President of the ARA for being elected to Rowing Canada’s board of directors as a director at large.  We know that Carol will do a great job and will represent Alberta’s interests well.

ARA Executive
The ARA wants to thank Steve Payne and Audra Vair, for their efforts on the ARA board.  You will be missed.  The new executive team will see Amanda Cinnamon take over the role of VP Development, and Alexander Patton as Director at Large. Welcome Amanda and Alexander.   

2021 Canada Summer Games (CSG)
The 2018 season represents a transition year of sorts for the ARA.  With the 2017 CSG year now a memory the focus now turns to finding athletes in preparation for the 2021 CSG.  The first event in the lead-up to these games will be the 2019 WCSG in Swift Current, Saskatchewan.  Athletes 18 or under as of December 31, 2019 will be eligible to complete at this regatta.  The ARA looks forward to the upcoming year and meeting those athletes who have an interest in competing for the ARA in the next few years.   

2017 Year in Review (Bob and Doug McKenzie Style)
In the Year 2017 Alberta Rowing did see. 

Twelve – Henley Royal Athletes Competing (There were 13 but it worked well here) 

Eleven Coaches Scheming  

Ten –  Umpires umpiring 

Nine CSG Medals at the 2017 Canada Summer Games (A record for the ARA) 

Eight – Alberta Rowing Clubs Competing  

(Cold Lake, Lakeland, CABC, Telford, CRC, ERC, U of A, U of C) 

Seven –  Top 10 finishes at the 2017 CURC Regatta – (U of C – Women’s 8+, Men’s 2-, Men’s 1x, LW 2x and Women’s 2-; U of A –LM1x and LM 2x) 

Six –top 4 finishes by Alberta athletes at the 2017 Royal Canadian Henley Regatta 

Five Alberta Women in the NRC 2- Final (Nicole Hare, Kasia G.W, Colleen Nesbitt, Jessie Loutit and Amelie Schumacher) 

Four – Sanctioned Regatta’s (ERC boat-race, Prairie Champs, Alberta Open, and Head of the Weasel) 

Three – NRC Medals (Jeremy Hall, Nicole Hare, Karl Hare) 

Two – Henley Medals (Women’s 8+ and Women’s 4-) 

One – World Champion (Karen Lefsrud – U23 Women’s 8+) and one medal at the 2017 World Rowing Championships (Nicole Hare – Silver Women’s 8+) 

Congratulations to everyone within Alberta Rowing (Athletes, Clubs, Officials, and Executive members for a successful 2017 Season.   

From our Rowing Family to yours we wish everyone a healthy and prosperous 2018.