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Brentwood weekend at Elk Lake

12 October 2010
Last Friday afternoon Martin B and Ruben S headed to Elk Lake to row with UVic. The two Grade 11 students are preparing for the Head of the Charles Regatta in Boston later this month. This holiday weekend gave them an opportunity to train with one of Canada’s best university programs as they rowed 14 km alongside five varsity pairs and a lightweight double including Brentwood alum Andrew Butler (09), Adam Galbraith (10) and Connor McGuigan (10).

On Saturday morning Martin and Ruben took part in training sessions with Canada’s senior national team. They were paired up with Canada’s single sculler and Brentwood alum, Malcolm Howard, (01) 2008 Olympic gold medalist in the eight, and a national team pair. Racing against the clock, the Brentwood double, achieved 102% of the gold medal standard for the Canadian Secondary Schools Regatta. Cooling down from the training session, Mike Spracklen, four time winner of FISA Coach of the Year and Canada’s national men’s coach, spent 15 minutes instructing the boys about hand heights and contrast on the slide.

At breakfast after the first practice, while coaches Brian Carr and Tony Carr chatted with the senior national team coaches, Martin and Ruben were joined by yet another Brentwood Alum, David Calder (96), 2008 Olympic silver medalist in the pair. Dave spoke to the boys about his experience winning the Junior World Championships and what it was like training on Elk Lake with the senior team. Dave is presently rowing in seven seat in the Canadian men’s eight. The Canadian team leaves on October 13th for New Zealand to compete in the 2010 World Championships.

The second workout of the day paired our Brentwood double with Canada’s senior lightweight double who won a gold medal at the World Cup Regatta in Bled, Slovenia this summer. The Canadian crew put the Brentwood double out in front and chased them in the 2 X 1000 meter and 2 X 500 meter pieces.  The Brentwood boys’ results were excellent, reaching well over 100% on all four pieces.

After the practice, Malcolm Howard spent 15 minutes with Martin and Ruben talking about the Head of the Charles and rowing out of the Harvard boathouse. A few strategic points about how best to race the Charles River course was much appreciated by the boys. 

Driving back to the school, the boys were able to de-brief about the three sessions on Elk Lake. It was not lost on Ruben and Martin that it had been a great privilege to train with these crews. Both of these young men were very appreciative. They can now relax and enjoy a few days off before resuming their final training before leaving for Boston this weekend. If you wish to follow their Beantown adventure please follow the tweets at bcsrowing. Mr. Brian Carr

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