Rowing Canada Coaches Conference.
The 2023 Rowing Canada Coaches Conference held in Victoria B.C from January 27-29, represented the first time that coaches across Canada congregated in person to celebrate the sport of rowing in nearly 3 years. The two-day affair concluded with the Rowing Canada Excellence Awards Banquet which celebrates the achievements of athletes, coaches and officials from across the Canada over the past 12 months. Alberta athletes, officials and coaches were front and centre throughout the evening.
Errol Bosman – Umpire of the Year – Errol is one of two RCA trained Clinicians in the Prairies, and a local fixture at regattas across Western Canada. An umpire who is respected across the rowing community we are pleased to see Errol be recognized for all of his efforts over the past number of years.
Curtis Ames – George Hungerford and Roger Jackson Trophy – Men’s Pair Champion – Curtis and his pair partner Jacob Buczek were recognized for being the top Canadian (affiliated) Men’s pair at the 2022 NRC Championships.
Senior Athlete of the Year- Kasia Gruchella Wesierski, Jessica Sevick and their teammates from the Women’s 8+ were recognized for winning bronze at the 2022 World Rowing Championships.
Long Service Recognition – Walter Martindale – 35 Years – Walter has pretty much seen everything within our sport over the past 35 years. The ARA congratulates him on his service to the sport.
ARA Erg Championships
There was a time when the writer himself competed at the ARA Erg Championships. In those days the event was held at a local rowing club and would start and finish within a two-hour window. Today, the event attracts over 100+ athletes from clubs across the province, and has become a fixture event on the rowing calendar. The growth of this event is a testament to the efforts of our coaches, volunteers and athletes.
This year’s event is slated to take place on Saturday March 4, 2023 at the Blackfalds Field House just north of Red Deer. If you have not already registered but plan to do so simply inform your club coach and they will take care of the rest. The cost to register is $25. To check out details of the event visit https://www.regattacentral.com/regatta/?job_id=8276
Based on results from the ARA Erg Championships the ARA is looking to invite the top performers to race one another in a 8+ race in Invermere B.C at the end of April 2023. While details of the event are still being determined it hopefully will provide some motivation to those training on the erg in the weeks to come.
Canadian Indoor Rowing Championships
The 2023 year has barely begun but Albertans are already making their mark on the rowing scene. Mikaela Holthius took home gold and Kendra Hartley won bronze in U23 and Open Categories respectively at the 2023 Kraken Indoor Erg Event in Brentwood B.C. Congratulations to you both.
Lakeland Rowing Camp
For the first time in over four years the Lakeland Rowing Camp will be an open event with opportunities for athletes of all ages and skill levels to participate. We hope that everyone will mark the dates of July 21 to 23, 2023 in their calendars and come out to Vermilion to participate in this year’s event. Details to follow in the coming months.
National Rowing Day 2023
In conjunction with all rowing communities across the nation, Alberta rowers are challenged to heat up their indoor rowing machines for Indoor Rowing Day in Canada – Coast to Coast 2023!
The purpose is to gather Albertans and Canadians on an indoor rowing machine on Saturday February 11, 2023. We want to create a wave of indoor rowing with the goal of crossing Canada from coast to coast at least once! We encourage all Alberta clubs to participate. Many of the details associated with the event are now with your local clubs. The ARA encourages everyone to not only participate, but to also try and bring a friend down with you to the event. The event is an opportunity to grow rowing in our country.
Upcoming Events:
National Rowing Day 2023 – Saturday February 11, 2023 – Locations across Alberta
Alberta Erg Champs – Saturday March 4, 2023 – Blackfalds, Alberta
RADAR Submissions due between January 29 – February 4, 2023