Who does a workout with another country at the World Championships? Seriously?  Looking over my shoulder I’m looking at good old glory on the LM8+ and wondering if I should be missing water every other stroke so they have something interesting to report back to their lightweight four. At least it’s not the confederate flag. Crafty move Jimmy, I just hope that if you guys beat us on the pieces you don’t start asking for our t-shirts. I know how it works in the collegiate system. Also here is my obligatory shout out to Conlin Mcabe, I hope you and Tony don’t struggle too much with the new shower before meals policy. Huskies!

As for the rest of the team, the maple leafs have now appeared on our blades. There are some much respected traditions in Canada in regards to racing the World Championships. For starters our unisuits differ from our attire at the World Cups. Our World Cup unisuits have a black and red base with the RCA logo on a white backdrop on the chest. The world Championships unisuit mirrors our flag with just a red and white colour scheme and ‘Canada’ marked on the back. The World Championship unisuits is never to be worn any other time other than when racing at the World Champs. The second is the presence of the Maple leafs on the oar. Once racing is over the Maple leaf is removed from the blade. Like the unisuit no one is to row with the Maple leaf on their blade outside of the World Championships and if there is a leaf on the blade it is expected to be removed before being used. These traditions honour the achievement of athletes reaching the World Championships and that it shouldn’t be taken for granted. It also serves the purpose of focusing the athletes as the appearance of these elements are an indicator for where they currently are.

I like that we do this and I think that it’s important that we continue to respect these traditions. Rowing is a very old sport and older rowing clubs tend to have different traditions rooted in their History. It’s a good reminder that what we are doing may in fact be greater than just ourselves.