Four rowers from the South Cariboo Rowing Club junior program competed in the 2016 North Shore Invitational Regatta held at the Deep Cove Rowing Club on Oct. 29.
Rowers from all over the Lower Mainland gathered to compete in 500-metre sprints in singles, doubles and quads.
The four South Cariboo rowers arrived early at Panorama Park to start rigging boats for the 8:30 a.m. start time, says head coach Will Van Osch.
The weather was clear and the water was calm when local rowers James Edge and Noah Betz launched their boats for the first races of the day, he adds. Both Betz and Edge competed in the men’s intermediate singles race.
The races are timed and overall placement is based on the times of each race, Van Osch explains.
“Both rowers had great races placing second in their heats. Overall, Edge finished second and Betz placed fourth out of 10 competitors.”
At 10:18 a.m., Courtney Cave and Lydia Kinasewich lined up to race in the intermediate woman’s doubles.
The weather had started to change and rain began to fall, but the water stayed calm providing good racing conditions, says Van Osch.
“Kinasewich and Cave had an excellent race and finished second against 11 other crews.”
Betz and Edge placed third in their men’s doubles heat in steady rain, he says.
“By the time the women’s singles races started, everyone was soaked to the skin. Despite the cold and rain, racing continued.
Cave and Kinasewich both finished in the top 5 of 14 in the intermediate women’s singles races.
“I think we had an excellent regatta. The athletes worked hard and the results reflect that.
“I think South Cariboo rowers are establishing a reputation as contenders in junior rowing.”