Rio!
A big shout out to Nicole Hare on her selection to represent Canada at the 2016 Summer Olympic Games in Rio, Brazil. Nicole started her rowing career in 2007 as part of the CRC Junior Program. Rowing under the tutelage of esteemed CRC Coach, and former Olympian Chris Davidson; Nicole progressed quickly winning Royal Canadian Henley gold in the Junior Women’s 2x with Ashley Vrielink. Two years later Nicole would go on to win Henley Gold in the Junior Women’s single and was a co-recipient of Rowing Canada’s Junior Female Sculler of the Year. In 2013, Nicole’s first as a U23 athlete, Nicole represented Canada at the U23 World Rowing Championships: afterwards, Nicole changed uniforms to represent Alberta at the Canada Summer Games winning gold in the Women’s single, silver in the Women’s quad and bronze in the Women’s double. In 2014 and 2015 Nicole won bronze and silver medals respectively at the U23 World Rowing Championships in the Women’s four event.
Nicole joins an exclusive list of Alberta rowers who have gone on to represent Canada at the Olympic Games. Since 2000, 8 different Alberta athletes have gone on to represent Canada at the Olympics / Paralympic Games more than the sports of basketball and volleyball combined. Not bad for a summer sport in a province that is covered by ice for more than 6 months a year. Nicole’s success in the sport is a reminder to all athletes that international success is possible.
More National Teams
There must be something in the water here in Alberta. In the past month two additional athletes from the wild rose province have been selected to represent Canada on the international stage. Aline Belzil of the Edmonton Rowing Club has been nominated to represent Canada in the Women’s quad at the World Junior Rowing Championships from August 21-28 in Rotterdam, Netherlands. Meanwhile, Helena Hlas of the University of Calgary & Calgary Rowing Clubs will represent Canada in the women’s double at the 2016 FISU Regatta in Poznan, Poland from September 2-4. Congratulations to the two of you.
In speaking with those within Canada’s inner circle the writer is aware of one additional Alberta athlete with an opportunity to represent Canada in the sport or rowing this summer. Stay tuned.
Canada Summer Games
The weather gods must be cheering for Alberta’s rowing team as it prepares for the 2017 CSG. At the latest CSG camp held in Calgary, Alberta athletes heard from Team Alberta nutritionists, were treated to a team BBQ and completed their second technical row of the day just before the skies opened up.
As we continue with these camps throughout 2016, Alberta coaches continue to be amazed with the commitment made by our athletes and this commitment is beginning to show. From the first camp in Invermere to the past camp in Calgary the quality of rowing has improved dramatically and the fitness base of our athletes continues to grow. Looking at our athlete base today there is no question in our minds that there are no fewer than 20 athletes today who can meet our erg deliverable to garner an invite to our 2017 Selection Camp – and we still have 11 months! To remind everyone, the erg standards necessary to garner an invite to the 2017 CSG Selection Camp are:
Heavyweight Men 6:30
Lightweight Men 6:50
Heavyweight Women 7:30
Lightweight Women 7:50
All CSG Age-eligible Alberta athletes attending the 2016 Royal Canadian Henley Regatta who pull an erg test between June 1 and July 25, 2016 and come within 5 seconds of the aforementioned deliverable will receive $200 to go towards their regatta expenses.
The ARA plans to host its fourth and final CSG Camp this summer on August 20 and 21 in Calgary, Alberta. The camp will be open to all CSG Age-Eligible athletes who pull an erg test between June 1, 2016 and August 15, 2016 regardless of experience or erg score. Please note that athletes who wish to attend the camp must email albertarowing@gmail.com no later than Wednesday August 17, 2016. . Said email is to indicate the athlete’s 2K erg score which was pulled between June 1, 2016 and August 15, 2016. To assist out of town athletes in attending this camp the ARA will make accommodation arrangements for all out of town athletes.
National Rowing Championships:
Canada’s National Rowing Championship in the sport of rowing will be held from September 22nd through to September 25, 2016 in Burnaby, British-Columbia. This years event will differ from those in years past in that the regatta will not be restricted to single and pair events. The 2016 NRC Regatta will see provincial teams square off in a variety of crew events. It is the intention of the ARA to send a full contingent of athletes to this event. Stay tuned on details surrounding this regatta.
In the News
- Former U of C rower and current CRC member Andrew Stewart was one of five students recognized with the University of Calgary’s prestigious President’s Award for Excellence. The award was established in 2008 to recognize exceptional students who have a record of academic achievement, who consistently demonstrate leadership and make significant contributions to our community. Congratulations Andrew.
- See what happens when former Alberta rower and Olympic medalist Tracy Cameron goes inside a car showroom in Nova Scotia http://thechronicleherald.ca/wheelsnews/1379210-bimmer-fever
Upcoming Events
Royal Canadian Henley Regatta St. Catharines, Ontario – July 31 to August 8, 2016
CSG Camp #4 Calgary, Alberta August 20-21, 2016