The Western Allies Invade St. Catharines

31 May 2013Ms. Robyn Willow, Junior Boys’ Coach

It’s not even 6 am back home in Mill Bay and the BC crews are out in full force preparing for tomorrow’s races. Wearing the recognizable colours of blue and red, black and gold, purple and gold, and black and red, St. Michaels, Shawnigan, Vancouver College, St. Georges and Brentwood scatter along the 2000m course preparing strategic maneuvers and rehearsing race day attacks. Today marks the final day of practices before tomorrow’s qualifying heats. Competition takes on a dynamic form today. It is complex: coaches from opposing schools sit together and converse, rowers from other schools say hello, and together, the BC schools seem to ally together to best represent the West. For almost nine months, we have competed against each other at local regattas, but now, it’s different. While we will still go on to race each other this weekend, there is an unspoken agreement that seems to follow us; we are united because we share a commonality – we have all trained and travelled for long distances to earn the opportunity to race down the famous Royal Canadian Henley course. The rain and clouds of Tuesday and yesterday are long gone, replaced by humidity and a blazing sun. Our crews row on (and hydrate!). One key element to today’s practice was having Mr. Wismer and Mr. Amiel at the starting gates holding boats to simulate the race start. Quickly, other western allies noticed our tactic and joined in the rehearsal. Soon enough, Mr. Wismer and Mr. Amiel were holding boats for many BC crews and providing start simulations. One of our allied crews even thanked Mr. Wismer on his third stroke of his start sequence for holding his boat – great camaraderie! The afternoon was spent eating, sleeping and studying, with a trip to the movie theatre for the junior boys. As always “rowing revolves around food (Mr. Carr)” and dinnertime was spent at delicious Antipasto’s for a buffet Italian dinner. Our club captains Ailish T and Joel B spoke to us and provided words of advice and encouragement. With doggie bags in hand, we returned to the hotel for crew meetings and early bedtimes. The Junior Boys’ 4+ kicks things off tomorrow morning at 9:07 am, and we continue with nine other Brentwood boats striving to advance to Saturday’s semifinals. Fingers are crossed for fast water, calm winds, and more racing with our Western Allies a few more times this season. Ms. Robyn Willow, Junior Boys’ Coach

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