FISA ROWING TOUR COMES TO CAPITAL 15 boats carrying more than 75 international rowers will launch in downtown Ottawa!
What: 2002 FISA Rowing Tour, Canada – launch and opening Where: Confederation Park along the Rideau Canal by the National Arts Centre When: Tuesday, Sept. 3, 2002 - 8:30 a.m.
OTTAWA – Local media and special guests are invited to help kick off the 2002 FISA Rowing Tour, Canada, at Confederation Park beside the Rideau Canal on Tuesday, Sept. 3, 2002 at 8:30 a.m.
Watch as 16 boats powered by more than 75 rowers from 15 countries set off along the canal at approximately 9:15 a.m. creating a spectacular flotilla, sure to draw plenty of attention.
Plan ahead and learn more about this international rowing tour, the first of its kind in Canada. Organizers predict new interest in recreational rowing as visitors from Denmark, Norway, Turkey, Portugal and Mexico, among others, get a chance to experience this country’s wild and pristine waterways.
“Interest in rowing touring is growing in Canada and we hope that this event will further promote the recreational aspect of our sport,” said Justin Fryer, president of Rowing Canada Aviron, the national association hosting the event.
“This is the third FISA World Rowing event that Canada has hosted in four years, following the 1999 World Championships in St. Catharines and the 2001 World Masters Regatta in Montreal,” he said. “This event demonstrates the recreational rather than competitive side of our sport and the team of organizers, led by Ernst Peters, have put together a spectacular journey from Ottawa to Kingston.”
The launch in downtown Ottawa marks the first leg of the six-day tour to Kingston. The tour includes 150 kilometres of rivers, lakes and locks that make up the Rideau Canal.
Starting with a parade of flags representing the various countries participating, the opening ceremony will feature short speeches from Justin Fryer, Stig Fischer Bjerregaard of the international rowing Federation FISA's Rowing for all Commission - touring, Inspector Larry Tremblay representing the Commanding officer of the RCMP, Michelle Comeau, vice-president of the NCC, and Dave Ballinger, Rideau Canal director of operations, representing Heritage Canada. The ceremony wraps with the rowers taking up the oars and heading out along the canal from near the National Arts Centre.
For more information: Tour organizer Ernst Peters ([email protected]) can be reached at 416-720-6135 or 905-276-6919. For local information, call Graeme Chase [email protected] at 567-0576.
Web site: http://www.rowingcanada.org/tour/