~ By Kerri (Jr. Coach) The Fraser Valley Rowing Club Juniors have been back in action this past weekend, after a long winter break filled with erging and rough water conditions. The crew travelled to Maple Bay just outside of Duncan for the annual junior regatta on Quamichan Lake. Approaching the site somewhat tentatively the racers waited for their race watching the havoc the rough water conditions wreaked on their competitors. Many a boat was lifted out of the water only to shower the rowers with a wave of water that had spilled in over the gunnels. And after watching three boats flip during warm-ups and racing it came time for the FVRC juniors to take to the water. Brynn Kirkness, Andrew, Michael and Nicole Fox all suited up to compete in the Men's Jr. B Nov. 4x event despite being a mixed crew with two Jr. B's and two almost-Jr. C's. The other crews out on the water didn't quite seem to know what to make of the unusual FVRC boat but they managed to make some friends out on the water anyhow. In their five boat race they came down the 1500m course solidly in third place with an MBRC boat way out in front but they had second place within grasp which was held by Brentwood College. Other competitors in the race included Shawnigan Lake School and a second Brentwood boat. In the last 400m FVRC turned up the heat and cranked it out to pass the Brentwood boat with about 150m to go. Brentwood gave them some competition and pushed them down to the finish but the FVRC crew held them off and took second place in a tight finish. Final results saw... Maple Bay with a solid 1st at 6:03.40 FVRC in 2nd at 6:23.92, followed by Brentwood in 3rd at 6:26.29.
All crews are to be congratulated for toughing it out on some rough water that had them utilizing their best boat-handling skills. Keep your eyes peeled for more FVRC jnr. racing. |