A Holiday Poem (A revival from years past)
Twas the night before Christmas and all through the Boathouse
The ergs were a humming under the purview of Nick Krause.
The shells were slung on the stretchers with care
In hopes that St. Nick could some-how repair.
Another erg done had my legs feeling like led
What was I thinking. This boy was losing his head
The splits from my session; provided reflection
On a 2023 season that was close to perfection
Pan-Am gold from dePaiva, Hartley and McMurray;
Helped offset a swim at the Gorge by Obrien and Perri
There was also Henley gold and Olympic Qualification
But my bet with Mr. Fleming required additional clarification
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 knew I would soon 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
On Hoskins, Oh Young and Oh Andy Nokes
You support the infrastructure for nice rowing strokes.
On Martindale, On Pascal, On Alex and Maki
Coaches like you ensure our technique isn’t wacky.
And then in a twinkling I heard a knock on the door
The ARA President wanted to say more
Ryan and Kati White, I am happy you eloped
And to all our athletes – you make darn fast boats
As I drew in my hand and was turning around.
The 2024 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
2023 Year in Review (Bob and Doug McKenzie Style)
In the Year 2023 Alberta Rowing did see.
Twelve – Boats a rowing.
Eleven – National Team Athletes & Coach – (Andrew Hubbard, Shaye de Paiva, Jessica Sevick, , Curtis Ames, Kasia Gruchella Wesierski, Karissa Riley, Olivia McMurray, Kendra Hartley, Bob Bryden, Alex Ewashko, Alex Marchuk)
Ten – Coaches Scheming
Nine – Really eight but I already have something for eight – Alberta athletes winning medals at the 2023 Canadian University Rowing Championships ( Bob Bryden, Alex Ewashko, Kaliya Javra, Mikaela Holthius, Gaby Worobec, Gaby Yarema, Madison Laing and Megan Rogers.
Eight – Alberta athletes winning medals at the 2023 National Rowing Championships (Andrew Hubbard, Karissa Riley, Robert Davis, Bob Bryden, Alex Ewashko, Griffen Salmon, Hayley Buchanan, Madeline Bartek).
Seven – Talented and hard-working ARA Executive Members (Peter Walsh, Tim Fleming, Audra Vair, Kim Chang, Hillary Bakker, Alex Marchuk, Amelie Schumacher)
Six – I got nothing in 2023 – The ARA was not good at six this past year – but we crushed two.
Five – Umpires Umpiring and special recognition to Errol Bossman for being selected as RCA Umpire of the Year in 2023
Four – We have lots for two but two x two = 4. Two ARA Athletes qualified for the 2024 Olympic Games in 2023 – Jessica Sevick and Kasia Gruchella Wesierski. And Two medalists at the 2023 European Masters Regatta – Carol Hermansen and Wanda Murin
Three –ARA Camps (Lakeland, Invermere and Leduc)
Two – Henley Gold Winners (Men’s Four and Championship Pair)
One –U23 Medal – A bronze from Karissa Riley in the Lightweight single.
From our Rowing Family to yours we wish everyone good health and fortune in 2024