Nelson Rowing Club provided one rower and Rockies Rowing Club in Cranbrook supplied 3 rowers who will represent Zone 1 in Rowing at the 2016 BC Summer Games in Abbotsford BC starting July 21. All four individuals are athletes in other sports and decided to learn to row this spring and have progressed well enough to go to the games in this new sport to them.
Rosie V. who rows out of the Nelson Rowing Club has been coached by Dominique Preney formerly of the French National Team. Rosie plays basketball, one of the many sports she pursues. Rosie will team up with Tomi S. who is also a basketball player in Cranbrook. The girls will row a double (2x) in a 1500m time trial and then a 1000m race and then they will do the skills test which is four of eight skills they must execute well to gain points.
The single sculler (1x) for the females will be Caisey C. who is also a hockey player. Caisey will do the same events only she will be by herself in the boat. Caisey is taking on the challenge and doing well.
Jared A. will represent Zone 1 in the male 1x (single) races and like Caisey will row with no other rowers in the boat. Jared was a swimmer and most recently took up parkour which looks like an energetic pursuit.
All four athletes have stepped up to the challenge of learning a new sport then doing their personal best in that sport.
Coaches Kurt M and Roberta R have been working these past few months with the athletes, they will travel with the athletes and make sure the rowers get food, good sleep and are ready for racing. It is a privilege to be selected to coach.
During the weekend of July 21 to July 24 think of all athletes in the various sport disciplines doing their personal bests at the BC Summer Games and cheer them on.