Our Erg Regatta, #1, A Happy Oar Deal

Last Sunday Brentwood was lucky to host the University of Victoria Varsity Rowers, Gorge Narrows Rowing Club, St. Michaels University School, Salt Spring Island Rowing Club, and the Maple Bay Rowing Club for our Second Annual Erg Regatta. Indoor regattas are a great way for rowers to set new fitness goals for themselves, and it was especially beneficial for all our rowers heading over to Monster Erg in Victoria next weekend.  We offered races for juniors and seniors, girls and boys, experienced and novice, lightweight and open, which meant that everyone got to take part in the fun. 160 athletes, 80 of them from Brentwood tested themselves against the CII machince. Events started at 1pm and carried on until 4pm, which meant that the Foote Centre was packed with spectators and rowers throughout the day. The energy was high as all the rooms upstairs filled for racing, warm-ups, and cool downs afterwards. Rowers went to and fro from races and their teams and friends came to cheer them on. As well as having spectators in the room for the race, there was also space outside for spectators to watch the rowers and their times on a screen.  19 Brentwood rowers finished in the top three in their event: Bridget B, Jonah M, Andrew G, Henry K, Solveig C, Marc S, Olin D, Dylan K, Allulah-Beth C, Zoe M, Thomas L, Sarah G, Chloe C, Emily P, Nate P, Anthony B, Antonia M, Yannick H & Karl D.  2018 World Champion in the Women’s Pair, 2016 Olympian, and UVic oarswoman Caileigh Filmer joined us as well. Between watching races she talked with several of our students and gave plenty of kind advice and mentorship. “Talking with Caileigh was so wonderful” said Zoe M, one of our Senior Girls who will row at the University of Minnesota next fall. “Even though we only talked for a few minutes, I found that she was such an open hearted and kind person. We talked about techniques for erg regattas and our experiences in rowing in general. I still can’t believe I was lucky enough to talk to her.” All-in-all I think it’s fair to consider Brentwood’s Erg Regatta was a very successful one. Here’s to next year! Phoebe H, Hope ‘19