Rowing Canada Aviron's Spring Trials events kicked off this weekend at Burnaby Lake, BC, in conjunction with the host Burnaby Lake Rowing Club.
Approximately 120 athletes at the senior, junior and under-23 levels competed in the trials. The results are used as one of the performance measurements for selection to National Teams.
"This is a good opportunity for athletes to race and for the coaches to collect information," said Peter Cookson, RCA High Performance Director. "The results are used to assist in selection and are especially valuable for those who have designs on the Junior and Under 23 teams."
National Training Centre - Victoria - athletes had the top times in all the men's senior events (men's single, pair and double).
For RCA?s development staff such trials are important events on the racing calendar.
?The trials in junior small boats provided a great opportunity for all athletes to measure themselves against the best in the west. There were some good performances in all single and pair races with a large number of club-based athletes able to demonstrate their ability in an area where rowing schools normally dominate,? explained Rowing Canada Aviron Talent ID Director, Peter Shakespear.
The Junior age rowers (U19) have been provided with a performance ranking in three areas based on: the time trial, finals racing and matrix racing.
?This ranking of athletes in their preferred club boats, and also in new combinations from the matrix racing, provides good opportunities for all athletes to look at their next improvement goals required for selection in the Canadian team for the Junior World Championships in Trakai, Lithuania, in August,? said Shakespear.
The Spring Trials (East) will be held in Welland, Ont., May 4 and 5. This event will include women from the National Training Centre in London, Ont., other senior athletes, as well as younger athletes from eastern Canada testing their speed against the best athletes in their age categories.