ARA CAMP/ CSG UPDATE
Gridlock traffic, flat tires, and two hungry drivers delayed the start of our latest CSG Camp in Leduc, Alberta. When things finally got started the coaches witnessed the undeniable potential many of our prospective CSG athletes possess during a 90 minute small boat technical row. Following the on-water session the coaches held a lakeside chat along the banks of Telford Lake that outlined the ARA’s expectations in the year ahead.
For those who had conflicting priorities on this evening and could not attend, the ARA released the erg standards that athletes will be required to pull should they wish to garner an invite to the 2017 Team Alberta selection camp. The standards will be as follows:
Heavyweight Men 6:30
Lightweight Men 6:50
Heavyweight Women 7:30
Lightweight Women 7:50
We understand that these standards are aggressive but reflective of the quality of competition our athletes will face in 2017. With less than 14 months till the start of the Games it is imperative that our athletes get on the water no less than 8 times per week. In addition athletes who are serious about attending the 2017 CSG should look to compete at the 2016 Royal Canadian Henley Regatta and attend the provincial camps that will run throughout the summer.
The next ARA Camp will be held on Sunday July 3, 2016 from 8am to 2pm following the Alberta Open Championships. The camp 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 Wednesday June 28, 2016. To assist out of town athletes in attending this camp the ARA will make accommodation arrangements for all out of town athletes who wish to stay overnight in Calgary following the Alberta Open Regatta.
A detailed itinerary of the camp will be emailed to all participating athletes on Thursday June 29, 2016.
RCA Spring Trials and May Recap
If the month of May is any indication 2016 is shaping up to be quite a year for Alberta based athletes. Consider the following
- Nicole Hare of Calgary, Alberta and her partner Hillary Jansens competed in the women’s pair event at the World Cup II regatta in Lucerne Switzerland. The duo finished in 12th place; a remarkable achievement for two U23 Women competing in their first open (Senior) International event.
- Aline Belzil of Edmonton, Alberta finished in 3rd place in the junior women’s single at the 2016 National Junior Selection Trial regatta in Welland, Ontario. Based on Aline’s performance she has been nominated to the junior women’s quad. The boat will time trial later in the summer to determine whether they compete at the 2016 World Junior Rowing Championships.
- Helena Hlas and Karen Lefsrud both of Calgary, Alberta finished in 12 and 16th place respectively in the open women’s single event at the Non-Olympic World Selection Regatta in Welland Ontario. Helena and Karen’s performance in the single has them contending for a seat on Canada’s FISU Team.
- The province of Alberta hosted two successful regatta’s in the month of May with the U of C / U of A boat race in Calgary, Alberta and the Edmonton Sprints Regatta held on Telford Lake.
Congratulations to all athletes and clubs on a very successful month.
HENLEY FUNDING
Do you have aspirations of competing at the 2016 Royal Canadian Henley Regatta? If so, the ARA has introduced two separate documents that may assist qualified athletes in attending the 2016 Royal Canadian Henley Regatta. The two documents can be found on the ARA’s website.
In the News
A number of Alberta athletes can be seen racing at the 2016 Western Canada Sprints Regatta that was featured on the CBC website. Here is the link.
NCAA Division I Women’s Rowing Champion – the California Golden Bears had three Canadians on their team – all of whom are freshman. Patrick Keane of British-Columbia is likely to represent Canada at the U23 World Rowing Championships. Why is this notable? All four athletes and likely to compete against Team Alberta at the 2017 Canada Summer Games. Hopefully this provides some insight as to the quality of competition Alberta athletes will face at the 2017 CSG.
Upcoming Events
Alberta Open Regatta Calgary, Alberta July 2, 2016
CSG Camp Calgary, Alberta July 3, 2016