Day Six - Finals Day

66^th Canadian High School Rowing Championships.  

Sunday Finals

Making it to Sunday and racing in the finals brings a completely different set of preparations for the crews. Now they are racing for a national championship. The lightweights and coxswains weighed in before breakfast. When Jack K weighed in, the weigh in umpire stated “oh – the big race!” It is the big race because the trophy, known as the Calder Cleland Trophy, is the most expensive trophy in amateur sport in North America. Everyone made weight and only Reilly M had to carry an insignificant amount of weight.

The weather was rather hot (okay really hot), and this caused the coaching staff to make sure all of the athletes. The other big thing we had to do on Sunday was load the trailer for the big trip back home.

After the races and the loading of the trailer, we had our annual BCRC banquet with the parents attending the regatta. It took place at the hotel in one of the banquet halls. More on that later.

Here is how the Brentwood crews did:

Sr. Women 2-: Anastasia K and Stephanie T had a great race and finished fourth. Considering they are both in Grade 11 and had only raced this boat once before, this was a great result.

Jr. Men 8+: There were many great races today. This was one of them. The Junior Men’s 8+ was down by almost a length with 750 meters to go. They had a great finishing sprint, but placed second and won the silver medal.

Sr. Men 72 kg 4+: Going in with the fourth fastest time, the lightweights knew they had to race the race of their lives if they had any chance of winning a medal. Vancouver College and E.L. Crossley were out in front. Our guys held on to them as long as they could. Sprinting to the line our boys won the bronze medal.

Sr. Men 4+ - Knowing that Brockville were the defending champions and boating the same line up as last year, we knew we were in for a tough final. Going into the last 500 meters, we trailed Brockville by less than a boat length. Jack K urged his crew on and in the end, they won the silver medal, only 1.7 seconds behind the winners.

Sr Women 2x: Going into the final with the fastest time means that you have a target on your back. Claire and Deirdre had that target on their backs. Going through the last 500 meter pylons, they were less than a length up on Ridley College. Racing into the last 50 meters Brentwood held on to their lead. The horn sounded as almost one beep as they crossed the line. It was a photo finish! The crews waited at the finish area for what seemed like eternity. Once at the dock to receive their medals, it was announced that Brentwood were first and were crowned National Champions.

Jr. Men 4+: What a race! Going into the last 500 meters, the Brentwood crew were in a battle with three other crews for the top spot. Governor Simcoe School finished first and the next three crews finished within 0.42 of a second. Unfortunately we were at the wrong end of the 0.42 of a second and finished 4^th.

Jr. Men 1x: Tom L, our Grade 9 student from Tasmania, had a horrible start and was in last place after the first 25 strokes. He fought back and was in third place with 750 meters to go. With a slight head breeze, he was unable to sustain the speed and finished a very close 4^th in the event.

Sr. Women 1x: Claire V did not have a great deal of time to decompress from the double’s race to get in the boat for the Sr. Women single final. Going into the last 500 meters, Claire was in third place. She tried every move to get into the silver medal spot. In the end she placed third and won the bronze medal.

Sr. 72 kg 2-: Michael L and Paiton B, rowing in their second race in the pair. A few course adjustments in the middle of the race hindered their progress and in the end they finished 5^th. This a great result considering the amount of time they have had in this boat.

Sr. Men 8+: Going into the final, we knew we had a shot at one of the three medals. The boys were set on putting down a great race plan and having a chance at winning the race. St.George’s had great start and led the field from start to finish. In the third 500, we made a move, only to be haltered by running through a pack of Canadian geese. Our bowman, Sean H hit one of them and slowed us down enough to stop our move. In the last 500 meters, the Brentwood crew tried everything to catch the first place boat. In the end the Brentwood crew placed second, 1.86 seconds out of first. Considering where we started this journey and where we finished, this was a great result. Their coach was very proud of the commitment these athletes made to this race.

The different crews made their way back to the hotel in anticipation to the banquet starting at 8 pm. I started the banquet off with a few words of encouragement:

What measures success?

One fifth place finish?

Three fourth place finishes?

Two bronze medals?

Three Silver medals?

One gold medal?
27 of 29 athletes racing in the finals?

8^th overall in the team standings?

5^th in the men standings?

11^th in the women standings with four athletes?

To me success is measured by the journey; about what you have learned about yourself.

Rowing is the ultimate team sport. These skills you have acquired this season will be with you  for the rest of your life. To me, that is success.

I shed some tears today after my senior eight came down the course today in the last race. These were tears of accomplishment. I saw athletes shedding tears of joy and of disappointment. I was so impressed with how you people rallied behind each other to support these team mates. For that I thank all of you, the athletes for this.

Mrs. Pennells, our Head of School, started off the evening with a great speech about thanking those that made the trip possible and then went on to talk about the athletes.

The three teams, the Junior Boys, Senior Girls and Senior Boys all had an opportunity to thank their coaches. Toby D and Blaine W for the Junior Boys, Deirdre H for the Girls and Andrew C and Cam Y for the Senior Boys. 

 Senior Women 2-

 Junior Men 8+

 Senior Men 4+

 Snior Men 72 kg2-

 Senior Women 1x

 Senior Men 8+

 National Champions: Senior Women 2x

We ended off the evening with the athletes making their way to the bowling alley to have some fun as a group.The flight leaves out of Hamilton at 4 pm. Our best wishes go out to Claire V, Lance B and Martin B as they will be staying behind to try out for Canada's junior national team at Welland over the next three days.

Day Five

When the crews got to the course this morning, we did not expect the weather conditions that were thrown at us this afternoon. There was a four hour delay that created a condensed schedule for the afternoon. From 2:00 pm until 8:30 pm, the races went off every five minutes to catch up on the schedule. Here are how the Brentwood crews did:

Sr. Women 2-: Third in their heat and qualified for the finals tomorrow.

Jr. Men 8+: Second in semis. Race in the final tomorrow.

Sr. Men 72 kg 4+:Seond in semi final. Race in the final tomorrow.

Sr. Men 4+ -Won their semi. Race in the final tomorrow.

Junior Men Double: Sixth in their semi final and they did not advance.

Sr Women 2x: After an almost tragic event in the heats yesterday, they won their semi final with the fastest time of the day in the event.

Jr. Men 4+: Second in their semi and qualified for the final tomorrow.

Jr. Men 1x: Tom L, our Grade 9 student from Tasmania, won his semi final and will race for the medals tomorrow.

Jr. Men 66 kg 4+: Finished 4^th in their semi final and do not advance to the finals tomorrow.

Sr. Women 1x: Claire V won her semi final and will race for the medals tomorrow.

Sr. 72 kg 2-: Michael L and Paiton B, rowing in their first race in the pair, posted the fourth fastest time and qualified for the finals tomorrow.

Sr. Men 8+: The old rivalry between Ridley and Brentwood is alive and strong. In the fastest time, 6:03, the Brentwood crew won, five seconds ahead of the Ridley crew. Brockville Collegiate and St.George’s both won their heats in 6:06. It is going to be a great final tomorrow.

There are threats of more weather systems to come through the St.Catharines area tomorrow, so we are going to keep the kids at the course once they get there tomorrow.

Day 4

Day 4: Racing begins. We have ten crews racing for a spot in the semi finals tomorrow. All of these heats are the winner and a number of fast crews making it to the semi finals. It ranged from twelve crews after the winners in the Senior Men 4+ to seven  crews in the Senior Women 2x. Here are the results:

 

8:14 am – Senior Men Double: 5th in heat. They did not advance.

10:20 am Sr. Men 72 kg 4+: Third in heat. They had the third fastest time out of the 28 crews and qualified for the semi finals.

11:16 am – Sr. Men 4+ -Won their heat. Straight through.

11:44 am – Junior Men Double: Won their heat. Straight through. 

11:58 am – Sr Men 72 kg 1x: Brett was 5th in his heat and did not advance.

1:36 pm – Sr Women 2x: Interesting race of the day. Leading for the first 750 meters, Claire and Deirdre had total control of the race. Unfortunately, Claire caught a boat stopping crab and they came to a halting stop. Claire had to take her oar out of the oarlock and unwrap it from the buoy she caught it on. Now in last place, they raced to the finish line, passing four boats to finish third. Fortunately, they had the second fastest "next" time and qualified for the semis.

1:43 pm – Jr. Men 4+: Second in their heat and qualified with the fastest "next" time in the event.

2:53 pm – Jr. Men 66 kg 4+: They finished third in their heat and placed 3rd in the "next" fastest time in the event.

3:14 pm Race –Sr. Men 1x: Tom L, our Grade 9 student from Tasmania, finished 5th in his heat and did not advance. He will have lots of energy to race in the junior single tomorrow.

4:31 pm – Sr. Women 1x: Claire V redeemed herself in the single by taking control early and winning her heat with the fourth fastest time in the event. 

Saturday races are all about qualifying for the finals on Sunday. We are in thirteen races tomorrow and we hope to see many Brentwood crews in the finals. 

Our crews tomorrow:

9:00 AM – Sr. Women 2- RACE 90 – Heat 1 - Lane 2 – 1^st place + next 4 fastest times

10:00 am – Jr. Men 8+ - RACE 100 – Heat 3 Lane 3 – 1st + next 3 fastest times

10:30 am – Jr Men 1X – RACE 107 – Heat 3 Lane 7 – 1st + next 3 fastest times

11:24 am – Sr. Men 72kg 4+ - RACE 114 – Semi 2 Lane 4 – Top 3 to Final

11:42 am – Sr Men 4+ - RACE 117 – Semi 2 Lane 5 – Top 2 to Final

12:30 PM – Jr Men 2X – RACE 125 – Semi 2 Lane 3 – Top 3 to Final

2:30 pm – Sr. Women 2X – RACE 145 – Semi 2 Lane 3 – Top 3 to Final

2:42 pm – Jr Men 4+ - RACE 147 – Semi 2 – Lane 4

2:54 PM – Sr Men 72kg 2- RACE 149 – Heat 2 Lane 4 – 1^st and next 3 fastest

3:24 PM – Jr Women 1X – RACE 154 – Heat 2 Lane 3 – 1^st and next 3 fastest

3:36  – Jr, Men 66 kg 4+ RACE 156  – Semi 1  Lane 3 – Top 3 to Final

4:18 pm – Sr Women 1x: Race 163 Semi Final 2 Lane 4 – Top 3 to Fin

4:42 pm – Sr Men 8+ RACE 167 – Heat 2 Lane 6 – 1^st and next 3 fastest

My phone will be charged up tomorrow so I can add some pictures to the link tomorrow. 

Day Three

The final day before racing starts at 8:00 am tomorrow morning. We have 10 races tomorrow.

8:14 am – Senior Men Double

10:20 am Sr. Men 72 kg 4+

11:16 am – Sr. Men 4+ -

11:44 am – Junior Men Double

11:58 am – Sr Men 72 kg 1x

1:36 pm – Sr Women 2x

1:43 pm – Jr. Men 4+

2:53 pm – Jr. Men 66 kg 4+

3:14 pm Race –Sr. Men 1x 

4:31 pm – Sr. Women 1x

Some last minute preparations.

Tom L is our new addition to the team from Tasmania, Australia. He will be racing in the Junior Men and Senior Men 1x over the weekend. This is his second national championships in the last two months! He raced for his Tasmanian high school at the Australian Championships in the middle of April.

Our Head of School, Dan H and his partner, Toby G will be starting off the Brentwood team at 8:14 am on Friday morning in the Senior Men 2x. As juniors, these same two athletes raced in this event in their Grade 10 year for experience. They are seasoned veterans now and lets see how they will do tomorrow.

After the last row, all the crews from the club met at Antipastos for a great team dinner. The surprise guest was Malcolm Howard. He is a Brentwood grad from 2001. During his time at Brentwood, he won three national championships at the CSSRA's. After graduation Malcolm went on to Harvard University where he went undefeated for the four years he was there. At his graduation ceremonies, Malcolm received the highest honor(award) for academics and sport at Harvard. After graduating from Harvard Malcolm joined the Canadian National team and won a world championship in the Men's 8+ in 2007 and followed that up with a Gold medal in the same boat at the 2008 Beijing Olympics. He is currently training in the single hoping to stand on the podium again in 2012 at the London Olympics.

Malcolm after winning the gold medal in Beijing. I think he is happy....


Malcolm had a chance to talk to the athletes after the dinner. In his speech he spoke of "persistence" and what it takes to be a champion. The kids really enjoyed listening to his speech and it really got them charged up for the races this weekend.
After the team meetings, the crews were ready to settle down and get ready for tomorrow. Results start tomorrow.

Day Two

After the flights and checking into the hotel we were ready to get out and row. A good sleep and rested bodies, the crews went down to the course, only to find very rough waters. The first practice was hampered by high winds and white caps in the middle of the race course. The tent was set up with a familiar flag at the top of it.

Club Coordinator and girls co-coach, Mrs.Sage brought  a Canucks flag that is sitting ceremoniously at the top of our tent.

After lunch, the crews came back down to the course, only to find more wind and white caps. The crews went on the water, but were quickly ushered off the course when the winds reached 40 km per hour.

So there was a quick change of plans. After a quick shower, all of the boys crews hopped into the vans and headed down to Niagara Falls for a little sight-seeing tour.







Niagara Falls

All of the boys

Senior Boys 8+

Senior 72 kg 4+











After we spent our allotted time at the Falls, we all headed up to Mick and Angelo's for a great pasta and pizza dinner.

Martin B and Cameron Y ordered the largest pizza on the menu. Between the two of them, they were able to finish it all off. It was fun to watch.











There were two birthdays, Reilly M on Tuesday and Toby G on Wednesday. Toby got the cake and Reilly got the Deep Fried Ice Cream cake.

Toby and his cake.

I could not figure out how to rotate the page. Sorry Reilly for leaving you on your side for the picture....

After dinner and a 20 minute shopping spree at the Nike outlet store, we headed back to the hotel. There are a few rabid Canuck fans on the team, including the coach at the top of the list. We were worried that the game was going to go to overtime. With 20 seconds left in the game, Raffi Torres slid the puck into the net to win Game 1 of the Stanley Cup finals. The place went crazy! Now all the athletes are in bed and sleeping, hoping that the weather will be more cooperative tomorrow.

The Road Trip Begins

Tomorrow morning, at 4:45 am, I am heading off with 29 high school athletes and five coaches, to attend the CSSRA regatta in St.Catharines, Ontario. West Jet decided to change our flights on us at the last minute, so we are now traveling through Calgary, Winnipeg before landing at our destination in Hamilton, Ontario. From there we will travel by bus to our hotel, 45 minutes away in St.Catharines.

At 4:45 am in the morning, I am not sure we are going to be as sprightly as those on this bus....

Getting 34 people to agree on the seating plan for a plane can be frustrating or... just deal with it! The tall ones want the emergency seats for the extra leg room.

We are at the Calgary airport for a few hours. I am not sure if we are going to see any cowboys or anyone from the Calgary Stampede. This picture reminds me of a Wednesday afternoon, Best in Boathouse competition. Calgary is the largest city in Alberta. It is located approximately 80 km (50 mi) east of the front ranges of the Canadian Rockies. The city is located in the Grassland region of Alberta.

 It has been years since I have been in Winnipeg. Looking forward to may be seeing a few hockey players. Will we be seeing a new (recycled) NHL franchise in the city? Winnipeg is the largest city and capital of the Canadian province of Manitoba. It is an important regional centre of commerce, industry, culture, finance, and government. It lies in close to hundreds of lakes, including Lake Winnipeg. Winnipeg, is known as a windy city. The average annual wind speed is 16.9 km. The city has been the gateway to the prairies since 1873.

Flying into Hamilton, Ontario, one sees the change in the prairie economy (agriculture) to Great Lakes - St.Lawrence Lowlands economy, (manufacturing).

The largest employer and polluter in Hamilton is the Hamilton Steel Factory in Hamilton Harbour on the banks of Lake Ontario. Going over the Burlington Bay - James N Allan Skyway along the Queen Elizabeth Highway, you can see what effect this Steel mill has on the environment of this region. Not sure how many people swim in the harbour?

After two bus rides, three plane rides, two fast food meals, we arrive at our destination in St.Catharines. Finally after two years of renovations, the Quality Hotel Parkway Convention Center is finished. For the past 25 years, Brentwood crews have stayed in this hotel. It is great to be back!