Rowing for Rio

We all arrived within a few hours of each other on Friday, March 6th, from Ottawa, St. Catharines, Hamilton, Regina, Vancouver, Victoria, Shawnigan Lake and Mill Bay and descended on the Burnaby Lake Rowing Club, for the Rowing Canada’s Junior National team training camp.  12 of the top junior rowers in Canada, six girls and six boys, worked with four amazing coaches. Many of us had already met each other through previous events and programs, however new connections were made throughout the week. Each and every session presented itself as an opportunity, requiring much determination.  From 7am to 7pm every day we rowed up to 26 kms in either singles, doubles or pairs. These grueling sessions allowed each athlete to harness their skills on the water with beautiful conditions. Sooner than later the extensive workouts resulted in many blistered hands and bandaged fingers. High fiving was not possible so a fist bump was the thing to do.  Legendary Canadian coaches like Al Morrow spoke to us and imparted their years of wisdom in the rowing world along with many stories of their Olympic triumphs. It was an amazing opportunity to work alongside some of the best athletes and coaches in the country.  Not only was the camp a great experience and opportunity to harness our skills, but it also opened our eyes to what it takes to be a world champion on and off the water.  The goal of this camp was to work with this specific group of athletes to help prepare them for the upcoming selections for the junior national team and the Junior World Rowing Championships this August in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Sydney P ‘15 & Elliot R ‘15