Sixty emerging Canadian rowers have been selected to represent the nation at three prestigious international regattas this season, including the World Rowing Under 23 Championships next month.
Rowing Canada Aviron (RCA) is thrilled to announce the selection of 60 talented emerging rowers who will proudly represent the Canadian National Teams in the upcoming highly anticipated international competitions. These include the World Rowing Under 23 Championships, the World Rowing Under 19 Championships, and the CanAmMex international regatta.
After a fiercely contested selection period at the RCA National Training Centre, these talented athletes hailing from across the nation have displayed exceptional skill, determination, and dedication, earning their spots to represent Canada on the international stage. For RCA NextGen Program Lead, Chuck McDiarmid, the selection of these athletes showcases the promising future of Canadian rowing.
“We are excited to unveil the teams that will represent Canada in the international regattas this season. These selections highlight the promising future of Canadian rowing,” McDiarmid said. “Throughout the competitive selection period, our crews faced challenges and tough decisions were made, but this fostered a strong sense of camaraderie and passion as we head into the regattas. I am elated for these young athletes, many of whom will make their debuts at this elite level, and I have no doubt that the nation’s rowing community will rally behind and support them.”
Canada will be proudly represented by 29 rowers at the World Rowing Under 23 Championships (WRU23CH) in Plovdiv, Bulgaria from July 19-23, 2023. WRU23CH will bring up to 1000 of the world’s best under-23 rowers to compete in 22 boat classes including eight lightweight boat classes. The competition returns to Plovdiv’s artificial canal was custom designed to meet international rowing standards and specifically located to be surrounded by natural forests, to offer fair and equal conditions for all lanes, the first time the competition returns to the ideal venue since 2017.
Amongst the rowers bound for Bulgaria is 2022 World Rowing Under 23 Championships bronze medallist Stephen Harris (Guelph Rowing Club / Brock University / Ontario) aiming to return to the podium in the men’s lightweight single (BLM1x).
A contingent of 12 talented young Canadian rowers will represent the nation at the 2023 World Rowing Under 19 Championships (WRU19CH) in Paris, France, from August 2-6. These championships showcase the best rowers under 18 years old from around the world, competing in 14 boat classes over five days. The regatta will take place at the same rowing venue as the Paris 2024 Olympics and Paralympics, promising to inspire outstanding performances from the participants.
Additionally, 17 of Canada’s budding rowing stars will compete at the 2023 CanAmMex international regatta in Sarasota, Florida, on the weekend of July 14-15 . This regatta serves as a crucial step in the development pathway for the finest up-and-coming rowers from Canada, who will compete against their counterparts from the United States of America, Mexico, and Barbados. The friendly rivalry at the regatta fosters international camaraderie while showcasing the incredible talent and sportsmanship of the Canadian rowing community. These selected athletes have relentlessly worked to qualify for this event, and their participation will further strengthen the bonds between these North American rowing nations.
RCA extends heartfelt congratulations to the selected team members, their coaches, families, and their local rowing clubs, where they began their journey in the sport. We wish them every success. With their passion, skill, and determination, these NextGen rowers are poised to leave their mark on the international rowing stage, upholding the proud tradition of Canadian rowing excellence.
CANADIAN NEXTGEN TEAM ANNOUNCEMENTS
For more information:
Colleen Coderre
RCA Communications Lead
coderre@rowingcanada.org
Ren Thompson
RCA Communications Coordinator
rthompson@rowingcanada.org