ARA CAMP/ CSG UPDATE
For many the imagery of a rowing shell breaking the reflection of snow-capped mountains against a crystal blue lake as the sound of the oars cascade off mountain walls and echo across the valley is reserved for an idyllic few living in small European resorts. Those who attended the CSG camp in Invermere British-Columbia on April 15 through 17 got to experience what many in our sport can only dream of; the opportunity to row 15km in a straight interruption free line on a mountain resort lake where the only swells to contend with are those from the loons as they escape the danger from oncoming shells. Chris Davidson, coach of the Calgary Rowing Club perhaps said it best “I have rowed in Switzerland, France, Italy and many other European countries and not one of these countries has can even come close to this today.
To those CSG athletes who attended the camp we hope that the experience is one you won’t forget, and the takeaways from the weekend will help motivate you as we push towards the 2017 CSG in Winnipeg, Manitoba. In collaboration with the coaches from the camp there is little doubt that there is a tremendous amount of potential but considerable work to be done if we wish to compete against the likes of Ontario and British-Columbia in a little over 14 months. Those athletes who were not in Invermere should not perceive that they are that deemed ineligible for the 2017 Canada Summer Games; quite the contrary. The ARA will be running a series of camps and information sessions throughout the summer which will hopefully educate and motivate all athletes born on or later than January 1, 1997 with the next camp being planned for May 27, 2016 in Leduc, Alberta.
The May 27, 2016 Leduc camp will run from 6:30pm through to 9:30pm. Athletes will be asked to meet in Leduc at 6:30pm and then proceed to row from approximately 7pm to 9pm. Following the row there will be a 30 minute information session. The camp itself will be open to all CSG Age-Eligible athletes born between January 1, 1997 and December 31, 2000 regardless of experience or erg score. Please note that athletes who wish to attend the camp must email albertarowing@gmail.com confirming their attendance no later than May 23, 2016. Also note that athletes are responsible for arranging their own transportation and accommodation (if necessary). As an aside the camp is the day before Prairie Championships on May 28th.
We look forward to seeing you in Leduc.
A video of the Invermere camp is found https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JzhnMjJX0Sw
RCA Spring Trials
Alberta will be well represented at both the 2016 U23, FISA and Non-Olympic Spring Trials on May 14th and 15th and the 2016 Junior Selection Trials from June 6th to 9th in Welland, Ontario. The ARA has proudly boasted for the past number of years that our athletes are amongst the nations best and the sheer number of Alberta athletes in attendance at these two events backs up our claims.
Best of luck to all Alberta athletes.
Edmonton Spring Sprints Regatta
It is hard to believe but the first prairie regatta on the 2016 rowing calendar is only 3 short weeks away. Regatta packages for this event have been distributed to all coaches here in Alberta. Athletes / parents please mark your calendars. The Prairie Championships regatta is scheduled for May 28, 2016.
In the News
Given the large number of athletes from Alberta who have rowed or are rowing with UBC an article about former tennis star Rebecca Marino who recently took up our sport may be of interest to some. http://vancouversun.com/sports/tennis/ex-tennis-star-rebecca-marino-in-a-really-great-place-finds-joy-in-ubc-rowing
Upcoming Events
ARA CSG Camp – May 27, 2017 – Leduc, Alberta
Edmonton Spring Sprints Regatta May 28, 2016 – Leduc, Alberta
Regina Sprints Regatta June 11, 2016 – Regina, Saskatchewan