A Snowy Start to the Season

If you ask any Brentwood student about the weather, they would probably tell you about how cold was this winter. Having grown up in Ottawa, Ontario, I would like to say that Vancouver Island winters are mild ones, but as my numb hands struggled to keep hold of the oars in the last 500m of my race earlier this month, I had to admit – it’s been a little chilly. Anybody want to build a snowman? It doesn’t have to be a snowman. Snow sticking and staying isn’t the most common event in Mill Bay, so naturally it seemed pretty exiting – for about twenty-four hours. The school-wide snowball fights (which the girls rowing programmed missed – to erg…) and the ability to wear boots with the school uniform soon turned into never having enough dry layers and rugby practices in the snow. And while the rugby players had it rough, either having to relocate or push through the snow, I think the rowers had the worst time with the weather. Even though we got snowed on at the Head of the Lake Regatta at Shawnigan Lake, hailed on at the Elk Lake Regatta and rained on at both, the Brentwood rowing programmed pulled in some impressive results – about as impressive as Canada’s curling and hockey achievements at Sochi. Thirteen boats bravely headed out to conquer the elements at Shawnigan, coming back with 8 first place finishes, 2 second place finishes, 1 third place finish, and 1 fourth place finish. Later in the month 20 boats were set on the water to embrace nature, and came back to the dock with 8 first place finishes, 4 second place finishes, and 4 fourth place finishes. Most importantly, all crews made it back to the docks will all our fingers still attached (even if we couldn’t feel them) and most boat pieces, if not a touch damp (with a certain senior girls double feeling a little bit extra wet). With results as impressive as these, I am forced to conclude that like Canada, we are winter - but we sure wouldn’t mind a little bit of sun! Emily L, Mackenzie ‘16