December Monthly Bulletin

A Holiday Poem ( A revival from 2015)

Twas the night before Christmas And all through the Boathouse
The ergs were a humming to the sounds of Strauss
The shells were slung on the stretchers with care
In hopes that St. Nick could some how repair.

Another erg done had my legs feeling like lead
What was I doing I must be loosing 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 dancing with his executive team.
And for good reason, the 2016 season was truly a dream
But spoke not a word for he knew 2017 was near
And expected even more success in the coming year.

To everyone in the ARA all the best this holiday season

CSG Winter Gala
On December 21, 2016 the ARA will host a fun and enjoyable CSG kick-off gala from 8-9:30pm at the Calgary Rowing Club for all aspiring CSG Athletes. Athletes who attend the event will have the opportunity to speak with nutritionists, mental trainers, former athletes and possibly some of the CSG coaching staff about the year ahead.  The Gala is open to all interested.  Athletes interested in attending this event are encouraged to email albertarowing@gmail.com.

The ARA will make travel and accommodation arrangements for all out of town athletes who wish to attend.

CSG Updates
The ARA is distributing bi-weekly updates to all prospective CSG Athletes across the province.  If you are not on the email list and wish to get the updates please email albertarowing@gmail.com

ARA Executive
The ARA wants to thank Shawn Eccleston, Kris Davis, Mark Laidlaw and Neala MacDonald for their efforts on the ARA board.  You will all be missed.  The new executive team will see Steven Payne take over the role of VP Development (Pending Board approval), Alex Marchuk assume the role of VP Technical, Amelie Schumacher as Treasurer, Hillary Bakker as Secretary and Audra Vair as Director at Large.

2016 Year in Review (Bob and Doug McKenzie Style)

In the Year 2016 Alberta Rowing did see.

Twelve CSG Standards Broken (There are way more but worked in this context)

Eleven – Umpires Umpiring

Ten –  Top four finishes at the Royal Canadian Henley Regatta.

Nine – U of A Novices Crushing (U of A Novice Men dominated the field at WCURC)

Eight Alberta Rowing Clubs Competing

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

Seven – Rowers Swimming – ( I am sure that seven ARA Rowers flipped in 2016.)

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

Five  Henley Medals (Women’s 8+, Women’s 4-, Women’s U23 2-, Women’s U23 4-, Men’s Junior B 1x)

Four National Team Representatives (Aline Belzil, Nicole Hare, Karen Lefsrud, Helena Hlas,)

Three NRC Medalists (Jessie Loutit, Amelie Schumacher, Nicole Hare)

Two Alberta Schools competing at the Canadian University Rowing Championships (U of C and U of A)

One Olympic Rower (Nicole Hare)

Congratulations to everyone within Alberta Rowing (Athletes, Clubs, Officials, and Executive members for a successful 2016 Season.

From our Rowing Family to yours we wish everyone a healthy and prosperous 2017.