Summer Recap
It has been a busy summer within Alberta Rowing. With the fall now upon us, it may be easy to forget what we as a province accomplished but it was an impressive two months as evidenced by the following
- Three Alberta athletes were nominated to represent Canada at the 2023 World Rowing Championships in Belgrade Serbia from September 3-10. Jessica Sevick and Kasia Gruchalla Wesierski will compete in the Women’s 8+. Meanwhile, Curtis Ames will represent Canada in the Men’s 8+. Good luck to all of you.
- A record five Albertans represented Canada at the U23 World Rowing Championships in Plodiv, Bulgaria . Andrew Hubbard and his partner Michael Ciepiela finished in 16h place in the Men’s Double while Bob Bryden and his partner Michael Keane finished in 11th place in the Men’s Pair. Axel Ewashko finished in 8th place in the Men’s four. In the Lightweight single Karissa Riley with the support of her coach Alex Marchuk took home her first international medal at an international rowing regatta; a Bronze. Congratulations to you Karissa and your coach Alex.
- Patrick Milner, Alexis Vela, Albert Harkema and Carter Cranmer-Smith representing the Calgary Rowing Club, won the Men’s 4- event at the Royal Canadian Henley regatta. Meanwhile Gabrielle Yarema of the Calgary Rowing Club teamed up with Rachel Weber from the Ottawa Rowing Club to win gold in the Women’s Championship Pair.
- At the European Masters Regatta in Munich Germany Carol Hermansen and Wanda Murin took home gold in the MW 2x,
Rowing Participation
Thanks to the efforts of our clubs across the province, Alberta seems to be at the forefront of the sport across Canada. Witness the following:
- The Calgary Rowing Club had the largest number of entries of any club in attendance at the 2023 Royal Canadian Henley Regatta.
- For the first time if over 7 years the ERC had athletes compete at the 2023 Royal Canadian Henley Regatta and was the third largest Canadian club in attendance at the 118th NWIRA Regatta.
- The 2023 Lakeland Camp held in Vermilion Alberta was the largest camp (in terms of athletes in attendance) in the history of the event and had athletes from over four different clubs in attendance.
- A record number of Alberta athletes and coaches (11 in total) have represented Canada at a World Championships (U23/Senior / Junior) or Pan-American Games Event thus far in 2023.
Congratulations to all!
Provincial Carding
The ARA “Provincial Carding Program” was introduced in 2018 to provide direct funding assistance to support qualified Alberta athletes. Of the athletes the ARA has provided funding assistance to, four have gone on to represent Canada at the Olympic/Paralympic games, while five additional athletes have represented Canada at a World Cup / World Championships. Furthermore, the four Alberta athletes selected to represent Canada at the U23 World Championships this summer (Andrew Hubbard, Bob Bryden, Karissa Riley and Alex Ewashko) were all carding recipients at one time over the past two years. Needless to say, the ARA Funding program has been a success over the past six years providing Alberta athletes with the financial resources they require to reach their athletic goals.
The ARA has provided a copy of the 2023 Athlete Assistance Program in conjunction with this notice.
ARA Development Camp
The ARA is excited to work in collaboration with the ERC and Leduc Rowing Club in hosting an ARA Development Camp for U19 athletes on September 8 and 9th in Leduc, Alberta. Do note that the cost to attend the camp is $0 but athletes are responsible for arranging their own transportation to and accommodation while at the camp. We look forward to seeing a large number of athletes this coming weekend.
Upcoming Events
ARA Development Camp – September 8 and 9 – Leduc, Alberta
Dino Sprints Regatta- September 23, 2023 – Calgary, Alberta
National Rowing Championships – September 27th – 30 – Quamichan British Columbia