Paddlers at the North Bay Canoe Club are in the midst of another successful competitive season. Athletes attended the Eastern Ontario and National Qualifiers this past weekend, which took place at the Rideau Canoe Club in Ottawa.
Paddlers returned home with many great results, qualifying the following athletes for Ontario Championships: Max Kerrigan, Daniel McColm, Thomas Goodchild, Riley Evans, Paul Goodchild, Max Hong, Greg Hill, Harrison Davis, Erik Bonnell, Gwyenth Durocher, Sydney Doidge, Grace Hong, Avery Durocher, Isabella Brotherson, and Ana Hill. Ontario Championships will take place in Welland on August 13th and 14th.
For Isabella Brotherston this is her first year attending Provincial Championships and she is looking forward to racing with her teammates. “Crew boats are my favourite”, she says. “It’s a lot of fun being in a boat with my pals and trying to win something together”.
Max Hong, Greg Hill, Max Kerrigan, Erik Bonnell, Daniel McColm, Grace Hong, and Avery Durocher finished at EOD Qualifiers with top three finishes in these events:
U13 Men’s K1: 3rd place, Max Hong
U13 Men’s C1: 1st place, Max Hong
U13 Men’s K2: 3rd place, Max Hong, Greg Hill
U13 Men’s K4: 3rd place, Max Hong, Greg Hill, Erik Bonnell, Avery Durocher
U15 Men’s K1: 3rd place, Max Kerrigan
U13 Men’s C2: 1st place to Max Hong, Greg Hill
U15 Men’s K2: 2nd to Max Kerrigan and Daniel McColm
U13 Men’s C4: 2nd place, Grace Hong, Max Hong, Erik Bonnell, Greg Hill
“It’s exciting to have so many athletes qualify for these races," said Head Coach Zach Pecore.
“They have put in a lot of hard work this season and it shows in their accomplishments."
Although the competitive season is drawing to a close in the next few weeks, the North Bay Canoe Club still has spaces left in their August Paddle Camp program for those interested in joining a recreational program this year.
Paddle Camp runs on a weekly basis and introduces youth ages 8-13 to the sport of canoe/kayak, as well as educates on water safety and self rescue techniques. “It’s a unique opportunity,” says Sam Armstrong, Lead Paddle Camp Instructor.
“Kids have the chance to try out recreational canoes, kayaks, and the dragon boat, as well as our more challenging racing boats. Highlights of the week are always canoe-over-canoe-rescue and our Thursday afternoon trips to the Greenstore for ice-cream."
Instructors encourage you to reserve your spot by calling the North Bay Canoe Club at (705)- 476-2030.
