Welland, Ontario - Rowing athletes from across Canada will descend on the City of Welland again this year for the 2007 Canadian National Rowing Championships. In addition, the Canadian University Rowing Association Championships will be held during the same time period, with Brock University as the host university. Both events will be held November 1 - 4, 2007.
"The City of Welland, in conjunction with its partners Welland Recreational Canal Corporation (WRCC) and South Niagara Rowing Club (SNRC), is honoured to host these events," said Mayor Damian Goulbourne. "Welland is an ideal location for flatwater regattas of this calibre. We are delighted that Rowing Canada Aviron has again chosen Welland for these championships. This decision reinforces the rationale behind our original $175,000 investment in the flatwater centre and should result in significant economic benefits to the community."
Rowing Canada Aviron is recognized as the national governing body for the sport of rowing by the Government of Canada and the Canadian Olympic Committee. The National Rowing Championships (NRC) regatta is open to all nationally-carded athletes for 2007, athletes selected by their respective provincial rowing associations who are potential national team candidates, and athletes who will compete in the 2007 Canadian University Rowing Association Championships.
In the all-important year leading up to the 2008 Olympics in Beijing, the NRC will serve as a step toward the Olympic team for Canada's top rowing athletes. "We are very pleased to have the support of local organizers and the City of Welland," said Rowing Canada's president Brenda Liski. "Our athletes deserve to race at top-notch facilities leading up to the Olympics, and Welland has demonstrated its commitment to help provide an ideal rowing course for athletes of all levels."
Representatives of both the WRCC and SNRC were thrilled with Rowing Canada Aviron's decision. Stephen Fischer, Business and Operations Manager for the WRCC, stated "This is further confirmation that the Welland National Flatwater Centre is on the road to becoming internationally renowned. We are proud to be the host centre for rowing athletes from across Canada."