The University of the Fraser Valley rowing program is hosting its ninth annual Head of the Fort regatta this Saturday, March 11, on the Bedford Channel in Fort Langley.
The event features junior, university and Masters crews competing on a 6.5-kilometre course. The Cascades, the Simon Fraser University men’s and women’s teams, and local rowing clubs from the Lower Mainland will be represented.
There will be three launches – 9:30 a.m., 11:30 a.m. and 12:45 p.m. – and the bridge over the Bedford Channel serves as a great viewing area for fans.
The Cascades will be represented by two varsity men’s pairs – Riley Dueck/Stephen Wall and Kyle Krahn/Mitchell Wierks – along with several other boats featuring UFV club rowers, including junior varsity men’s and women’s fours. Head coach Liz Chisholm is excited about the program’s next wave of talent, noting the Cascades have some “really promising developing athletes.” Both jayvee boats had good showings at UVic’s spring sprints last weekend.
Navigating the tough turn in the middle section of the race gives the UFV rowers a certain home-course advantage, Chisholm noted.
“Because they know the course, they’re able to make up some time and that’s motivating for them,” she explained. “Their success at this regatta gets them thinking about how seriously they’re going to train over the summer. These are great races to get us ready for the fall.”
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