A Difficult Loss
On November 29, 2024 Alberta Rowing lost one of its greatest supporters with the passing of Blair Rasmussen. Blair was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease some 20 years ago and despite the adversities he faced his love for the sport of rowing continued to shine through with each passing day.
Blair competed for Canada on two separate occasions, 1979 at the Junior Worlds in Moscow and the 1984 World Rowing Championships in Copenhagen. Upon retiring from the sport as an athlete he continued to pursue his passion as a coach in Western Canada playing an integral role in the development of two Olympians – Colleen Miller & Tracy Cameron, and thousands of others. Blair stepped away from competitive coaching in 20005, but continued to play an integral role in the sport serving as the clubhouse manager at the Calgary Rowing Club for the next several years, Throughout the journey, his wife Judy stood by Blair’s side assisting every capacity imaginable.
Since Blair’s passing, teammates, athletes, alumni and friends alike have joined together to share pictures and stories reflecting on his April’s Fools day antics, his love of cycling, and his many successes within our sport. It is however, Blair’s remarkable love for rowing that left an indelible legacy on this writer. Even in his darkest days, Blair would call inquiring about how Alberta athletes were progressing, and wanting to know the inside scoop. Blair, from all of us within Alberta Rowing, – you will be missed.
A Celebration of Blair’s Life will be held in the new year. If friends so desire, memorial tributes may be made directly to the Branch Out Foundation,
https://branchoutfoundation.com/match-campaign-2024/ or the Parkinson Society of Canada https://donate.parkinson.ca/
A Holiday Poem (A revival from years past)
Twas the night before Christmas and all through the Boathouse
The ergs were a humming to the sounds of Strauss.
The shells were slung on the stretchers with care
In hopes that St. Nick could somehow repair.
Another erg done and a new best score.
But Coach Alex said she needed to see more.
My legs were done and feeling like lead
I was dizzy and shaky. I needed my meds.
The splits from my session; provided reflection
On a 2024 season that was close to perfection
Olympic Medals from Sevick and Wesierski
And World Cup Gold on the Rotsee.
When all of a sudden there rose such a clatter
I grabbed an oar before pursuing the matter
Away to the dock; I ran like a flash
Bad hip and all, I was bound to crash.
When what to my weary eyes should appear
Was Mr. Peter Walsh the ARA’s fearless leader.
More rapid than eagles; athletes and coaches they came
And he whistled and shouted and called them by name
Oh Hoskins, Oh Lois and Oh Mr. Nokes
Through your clubs we develop good rowing folks
On Walter, On Amelie, On Scott, and Pascal
Passion and dedication in Summer and Fall
And then in a twinkling I heard a knock on the door
The ARA President wanted to say more.
Lakeland 2024 was our largest group
Glad I took Kati out for good soup (Inside Joke).
As I drew in my hand and was turning around.
The 2025 rowing season; is nearly abound
And despite an on-water season that is a few months away
A whole new set of opportunities and challenges to weigh.
So to all of our athletes; keep up the great work
And listen to your coaches; even though they have quirks
The ARA is aware that expectations are high
With athletes like you who reach for the sky.
To everyone in the ARA all the best this holiday season
2024 Year in Review (Bob and Doug McKenzie Style)
In the Year 2024 Alberta Rowing did see.
Twelve – Really 16 Alberta Athletes winning medals at the 2024 NRC Regatta. Axel Ewashko Kai Elrich, Addyson Byomen, Georgia Skeans, Grace Turner, Julia Hill, Monroe Larochelle, Tryne Mamen, Karissa Riley, Albert Harkema, Elena Tsigozis, Mia Lastovka, Archer Larochelle, Angus Robertson, Diana Davis, Ali Hart.
Eleven – Umpires umpiring including one L5 Licensed Umpire in Audra Vair
Ten – Coaches Scheming
Nine – Alberta athletes representing Canada at the 2024 FISU World University Games in Rotterdam the Netherlands. Gabrielle Yarema, Gabriella Worobec, Gabrielle Kieser, Eliza Dawson, Bob Bryden, Andrew Hubbard, Axel Ewashko, Sam Ree and Mikaela Holthuis
Eight – Hard Working ARA Clubs (CABC, Lakeland, Somba K, ERC, CRC, UART, UCRC, Leduc)
Seven – Really one but we literally crushed one this year – 50th Anniversary Celebration at the ERC.
Six – Medallists at the 2024 Canadian University Rowing Championships Louis Ferraro,
Kaliya Javra, Gaby Kieser, Gaby Worobec, Gaby Yarema, Archer LaRochelle
Five – Five ARA Athletes & Coaches at the 2024 Mega Worlds in St. Catharines Ontario. Karissa Riley, Griffen Salmon, Bob Bryden, Anna Currie, Ciara Stevenson and coach Alex Marchuk
Four– Medals at the 2024 Royal Canadian Henley Regatta. Karissa Riley won both the Lightweight Women’s 1x and the Women’s Champ 1x. Orla Bailey, Trynne Mamen, Claire Ferraro and Heidi Wallin took home gold in the U17 W4x race, while Alexandra Hart and Hayley Buchannan won the Lightweight Women’s Pair.
Three – Sanctioned ARA Regatta’s. ERC Boat Race, Alberta Open & Dino Sprints.
Two – Olympic Medals Kasia Gruchella Wesierski & Jessica Sevick
One –Gold Medal at the Royal Henley Regatta in Henley England– Shaye de Paiva in the Town Challenge Cup.
From our Rowing Family to yours we wish everyone good health and fortune in 2025