May 2022 Monthly Bulletin

RCA Speed Orders

Coaches to whom this writer has associated with for the past two decades long for the return of the RCA Speed Order Regatta.  Once a staple of the regatta calendar, the speed order event; always held at the end of May served as an entry point onto Canada’s national teams.  Perform at the top of your class at the event, athletes could expect to wear Canada’s colors on the international stage a few months later.  In some ways then, RCA’s decision to hold an RCA Speed Order regatta this past weekend in Quamichan British Columbia represented a “Back to the Future” type of moment for many alumni in our sport. 

Alberta was well represented at this years event with 11 Alberta based athletes looking to secure spots on Canada’s National Team.  At the conclusion of racing on Sunday, five Alberta athletes were invited to stay in British Columbia for a U23 Selection Camp and two additional athletes were invited to the Senior Team. The athletes in no particular order were.  

  • Andrew Hubbard-U23 Camp invite – won a bronze medal in the Open Men’s Single
  • Carolyn (Shaye) -U23 Camp invited- finished in 7th place overall in the Open Women’s Single
  • Axel Ewashko –  U23 Camp invite – finished fourth overall in the Open Men’s Pair
  • Eliza Dawson – U23 Camp invite – was granted a medical exemption to attend the camp. 
  • Karissa Riley U23 Camp invite – won a silver medal in the Lightweight Women’s Single
  • Jessica Sevick and Kasia Gruchella Wesierski – Senior National Team – finished third in the Open Women’s Pair

Finally, while Olivia McMurray and Kendra Hartley did not garner an invite to a selection camp their 7th place finish in the Open Women’s pairs certainly raised some eyebrows.

Congratulations to all athletes!

Canada Summer Games Updates

  •    The Canada Summer Games Selection Camp will be held in Calgary, Alberta from Friday June 17th through to Sunday June 19th
  •    Attendance at the camp is by invite only.  Athletes who meet certain erg deliverables are guaranteed an invite to the camp.  The deliverables have been well communicated in past ARA reports.  Athletes will have until Saturday June 11th to meet the erg deliverable.
  •    Athletes who have not met the standard by June 11th but have shown marked improvement in their technique and are within target of the erg deliverable may still be eligible for an invite to the selection camp.  These invites are at the discretion of the ARA. Athletes who fall into this category will be notified of their status to attend the selection camp between June 12th and June 14th
  •   To date 12 men and 8 women have met the erg deliverable.  In addition, the ARA knows of a number of athletes who are within a few seconds of the erg standard with nearly 5 weeks remaining to hit the mark. 
  •  While erg performance is a requirement for an invite– final selection to the team is based solely on one’s performance in a single and or a pair. 

Invermere

For the first time in over 5 years 40+ athletes from across Alberta descended upon the Columbia Valley for a weekend rowing camp in Invermere, British Columbia.  Athletes rowed up to 100km often in near perfect conditions and amongst a backdrop that many of us will not forget.  The ARA thanks the Kirker family for all their support in making this year’s camp a reality. 

Athletes in the News

A nice article was written about the ERC’s Adonis Pederson.  To see the article please follow the link https://www.townandcountrytoday.com/local-news/barrhead-teen-among-best-rowers-in-the-province-5152544

Upcoming Events

CSG Selection Camp – Calgary Alberta – June 17-19, 2022