February 2022 Monthly Bulletin

CSG Camp Update

Ongoing COVID-19 restrictions that have transpired across the country have made it difficult for the ARA to make any long-term plans regarding CSG activities.  Last month the ARA indicated that it was organizing a winter camp for prospective CSG athletes in British-Columbia.  Unfortunately, on account of ongoing restrictions across B.C it became difficult to find clubs interested in hosting the ARA.  Consequently, the ARA will shift gears and host a weekend camp here in Alberta from Feb 18-19h

The winter camp will be open to all CSG athletes who attended the 2021 National Rowing Championships and as well athletes who have achieved a 2K erg standard of 7 minutes (men) and 8 minutes for women.  The lightweight standard will be 7:20 and 8:20 for men and women respectively. 

The format for the camp will be

Friday Feb 18, 2022  –  7:00-9:00pm – Calgary Rowing Club – Erg and Tank

Saturday Feb 19, 20229am – 2pm – Canmore Nordic Centre – Cross Country Skiing

The ARA will cover the cost in obtaining a trail pass at the Canmore Nordic Centre.  All remaining costs including transportation to and from Canmore will be at the athletes own expense.  Athletes who reside outside of Calgary will be provided with a $150 travel subsidy.  Athletes who are interested in attending the camp are to email albertarowing@gmail.com no later than February 16th, 2022.    

Canada Summer Games Selection Camp

The ARA has finalized the dates for its selection camp.  The selection camp will be held June 17-19, 2022 in Calgary, Alberta.  The selection camp is a small boat regatta where athletes will compete in singles and pairs to determine the final make-up of our team that will represent Alberta at the 2022 Canada Summer Games.  The selection camp is by invite only with invites only being granted to those who hit the following 2K Erg Standard

Heavyweight Men                6:40*

                         Lightweight Men                 6:55*

                          Heavyweight Women          7:40*

                          Lightweight Women            8:05*

* Ergs must be pulled between January 1, 2022 and June 15, 2022.  Ergs pulled outside of this window will not be deemed eligible.  Furthermore, all scores must be pulled in front of an accredited RCA Coach to be considered eligible.  Once a score has been pulled athletes are asked to send a picture of their achievement to albetarowing@gmail.com at which time their spot at the selection camp will be confirmed. 

Congratulations!!

At the RCA Coaches Conference and AGM, Rowing Canada announced its recipients of the 2021 Long Service Awards and amongst this list were a number of Albertans.  They are in no particular order.

Ray McKall – a long time ERC member, Ray was a member of the TOGS 8+ in Edmonton and still serves as an active volunteer with Vic City. 

Linda Huebscher – was a long time president of the Alberta Rowing Association and still serves as a member of the Edmonton Rowing Club today. 

Carolyn Taylor Smith – A past president of the Edmonton Rowing Club, an executive member with the Alberta Rowing Association, Vice-President of Rowing Canada Aviron and member of the international rowing commission for the International Federation of Rowing, Carolyn’s contributions to the sport are endless


Peter Walsh – Peter Walsh started rowing in St. Catherines Ontario before making his way out west.  Settling in Vermilion, Alberta, Peter helped found and then served as president of the Lakeland Rowing Club before becoming ARA President in 2015 – a position he has held ever since. 

RCA’s Long Service Awards recognize individuals who have served as a rowing volunteer, in any capacity, for 15 years or longer. Thank you for all that you do for our sport

Invermere Camp

Up until 2017, a staple of Alberta rowing was an April camp held on the waters of Invermere B.C but for a variety of reasons the camp has not been held ever since.  The ARA will be looking to resurrect this camp in April of 2022.  Stay tuned for details in the months to come. 

Upcoming Events

ARA Erg Championships – Scheduled for March 5, 2022 in Blackfalds Alberta