CSG Winter/Selection Camp
As noted in the January Bulletin the ARA will be hosting a winter camp from Friday Feb 22 through to Monday Feb 25, 2013 in Scottsdale, Arizona.
The camp itself is by invitation only and is based on the results from the 2,000m erg requirement that was part of the November RADAR Testing Protocol or alternatively a 2,000 erg test pulled between December 1, 2012 and January 31, 2013. The following erg standards were requirements for obtaining an invite to the camp.
Heavyweight Men 6:35
Lightweight Men 6:50
Heavyweight Women 7:35
Lightweight Women 7:50
While the standards are aggressive the ARA notes that 17 athletes to date have hit the aforementioned times with another 15 athletes within 15 seconds of these times. The ARA commends all athletes who have achieved / progressing towards these times and are encouraged with all of the great scores that are being recorded all across the province.
To all athletes, it is important to note that an invitation to the 2013 Winter Camp should in no way infer that an athlete has been selected to the 2013 CSG Team. The 2013 CSG Team will be finalized at a a Selection Camp tentatively scheduled for June 1 and 2 in Calgary, Alberta. The selection camp will be by invite only and will be granted to those athletes who have achieved the aforementioned erg standards. Final selection to the team will be based on water performance in a 1x or 2-.
ARA Coaching Conference
The Alberta Rowing Association in association with the Edmonton and University of Alberta Rowing Clubs hosted its fourth annual coaching conference on January 11 and 12, 2013 in Edmonton, Alberta. Each year the conference seems to get better in scope with speakers at this years conference ranging from Kavis Reed – Head Coach of the Edmonton Eskimos to Chris Davidson, Ali Williams and Ole Tietz – Alberta based coaches with international rowing experience to Neala McDonald – a well known ERC coach who was a guest speaker at the 2013 RCA Coaching Conference. If not enough, the 2013 event also featured speakers who were experts in the field of weight and mental training.
As the scope of the conference increases so too does the logistics in managing the event. The ARA wants to acknowledge the incredible efforts of Steve Fitzjohn who oversaw all aspects of this years event. Thank-you Steve for making the 2013 event a great success.
ARA Erg Championships
This year the date of the ARA Erg Championships seems to have changed more frequently than the weather here in Alberta. However, unlike the weather the date of this years event is now set for Sunday March 10, 2013 in Red-Deer, Alberta and we ask that all athletes set the date in their calendar.
As a reminder to all athletes attendance at the ARA Erg Championships is a requirement in qualifying for ARA Henley Funding. Furthermore, the ARA erg championships represents a tremendous platform for prospective CSG / Henley Bound and World Master Games athletes to achieve a personal best time.
Bobby Pearce Award
Congratulations to Nicole Hare for winning the Bobby Pearce award at the 2013 Rowing Canada award banquet. Named for the man himself, Bobby Pearce is an Australian-Canadian who won Olympic gold in the Men’s 1x sculls at both the 1928 and 1932 Olympic Games. Despite being ineligible to compete at future Olympiads, Mr. Pearce would go on to win the Lou Marsh Award as Canada’s top athlete in 1938.
The Bobby Pearce award goes to Canada’s top female junior sculler and in 2012 Nicole Hare is a worthy recipient having won both the Junior 1x at the Royal Canadian Henley Regatta and the 2012 National Rowing Championships. Congratulations Nicole.
Erg Standards
The Bronze, Silver and Gold erg standards that everyone has been accustomed are in the process of changing. Without going into great detail there should be little change to either the Silver or Gold Standards. The majority of changes will be focused on strengthening the Bronze standard. Please visit the ARA website later this month and familiarise yourself with the updated standards that will be in effect for this coming year.
Fundraising Opportunity
Is your club looking for extra cash? Is your club in need of additional equipment? Maybe the ARA can help. As has been disclosed, for every age eligible CSG athlete (born in 1993 or later) with no previous on-water rowing experience who hits a 2K erg Score of 6:45 Men and 7:45 Women at the ARA Erg Champs the ARA will give that club $500 to $1,000 to a maximum of $10,000 for the entire program.
We encourage all clubs across the province to be on the lookout for athletes who have the potential to hit the indicated standards. It could be of benefit to your club.
Upcoming Events
- ARA Winter Camp – Feb 22-25, 2013 Scottsdale, Arizona
- ARA Erg Championships – March 10, 2013 Red Deer, Alberta