On Saturday, April 13 members of Rockies Rowing Club gathered at the Tamarack Centre to raise funds for new equipment such as oars and stroke rate metres (the meters measure how many strokes per minute the rowers are rowing which provides feedback in training and racing).

Our challenge was to finish 100,000 meters in the six hours we allotted to the project.

Dylan and Ally started the challenge with 50,000 metres on each ergometer and we all took shifts of five or 10 minutes. Five minutes equals about 1,000m and 10 minutes equals about 2,000m give or take.

We had club members rowing but non-club members joined us. Thanks to: Valentin from France, Glen from Fort Steele, Brenda from Cranbrook, Tim from Regina for taking time to lower our meter count.

Local residents watched with curiosity and enthusiasm. Some even tried our spare rowing machine to experience what it is like to row. There was a lot of cheering as rowers finished their pieces and the next two started rowing to steadily lower the number of meters left to row.

After three hours and 55 minutes it was obvious that we were close to finishing the 100,000m in less hours than anticipated. Josie and Erienne took the handles for the last five-minute row, both having done several stints on the machines already. These rowers gave it their best row on this day and ended the distance in four hours, two minutes and 34 seconds for Josie and four hours, two minutes and 40 seconds for Erienne.

This event was a super team building exercise as we only see each other during the winter at dry-land training or at our Christmas dinner. It looks like we are set for a fun season of recreational rowing for those who just want to be on the water and a full racing season for those who would like to challenge themselves to their best.

In the end we raised between $2,600 and $3,000 to support the rowers and programs of Rockies Rowing Club.

Thanks to our local businesses for their support of this event: Flaman Fitness (they sell concept 2 rowing machines); Tamarack Centre (they provide the venue); Huckleberry Books (they have books and other great things to challenge the mind); Soulfood Restaurant (food for the soul); Culligan (water for thirsty rowers); Real Deals (unique home decor and unique clothing items); Save On Foods (provided the fruit tray, oranges and snack bars as energy for the rowers); The Heidout and Fisher Peak Brewing Company (a gathering place with good food and uniquely named in-house brew); The Fire Hall Kitchen and Tap (hipster food and craft beer); and finally Fitness Inc. (this local gym provided one of the racing ergs, thanks Trevor).

Thanks to those who contributed on the day of the event and to those who supported our rowers with pledges.

You can still support Rockies Rowing Club rowers and programs if you go to our website www.rockiesrowingclub.ca and click on the donate button.

Learn to row lessons will be starting in May if you would like to learn this unique sport, a whole body exercise that keeps you guessing where you are going and if you race you are rowing backward across the finish line. We have trained, volunteer, Learn to Row Instructors.

Send an email to [email protected] with your contact information.

See you at a lake close by.

Lead image: The rowers from far and near. Photos submitted

Rockies Rowing Club

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