A Leap to the World Stage
Three weeks after the victory and loss at the Canadian Secondary Schools Championships in early June, and two weeks after the end-of-school madness and exams, on June 24th, my journey with the Canadian National Team began.
In St. Catharines, Ontario, a town passionate and involved in the rowing community, my Jr Women’s 4-, alongside the Jr Men’s and Women’s 2-, trained for our biggest event ever: The U19 World Rowing Championships. Four girls, four programs, four styles, four weeks to prepare. In an environment where you are expected to be at your peak every practice, your data is dissected, stroke by stroke, searching for a gap of imperfection to build up a crew ready to podium on the world stage.
No competition, video, or visualization could prepare me for the feeling of lining up with other countries for the first time. From when we arrived at the course until we left, we were being observed. For the first time in my life, I was referred to as one of “The Canadians.” A lifelong dream came true but with heavy weight.
Yes, take the time to enjoy the moment and have fun, but overall, you are there to perform at the highest level. I was no longer representing myself or my school, I was representing my country. I was Canada!
The experience was surreal as I had just finished my second year of rowing and Grade 10. Despite being at the event and training with the Maple Leaf on my chest, the fact that I was competing at a World Championship did not set in until the day prior to racing. The possibility of what I could achieve and what I have had not fully set in.
I took on a new role in the 4- as bow seat, a change from competing on the stern pair the last two seasons. It was a learning opportunity and allowed me to become a more adaptable rower. Observing what works best for each person in the boat, finding a way to keep us connected, and learning how to stay collected while having so much to think about while rowing was a growing opportunity for me. After three days of tough racing in suboptimal conditions and last-minute adjustments to the race plan, my 4- placed third in the B Final, 9th overall.
Although it is not the result we wanted, we all learned more about ourselves and the sport. Learning how to adapt on race day and deal with disappointing outcomes has given me more experience as an athlete, and being able to pick myself back up and race the best in the final the next day is an experience I have grown from.
Being on the Junior National Team this summer has not only given me some incredible opportunities, but experiences I am eager to share with my team back home, within and outside of the Brentwood Rowing program.
Novella R, Hope ‘25
