The Renaissance team took to the waters for the first annual Renaissance Rowing Regatta in support of the Vancouver College Rowing team!

The Vancouver College Fighting Irish boys rowing team dominated the 2011 Canadian Secondary Schools Rowing Association (CSSRA) 66th Annual Regatta June 3 to 5, earning the points trophy for best overall performance. It is the first time the Irish have come out as the top boys' program in the national championship.

The VC rowing team coach Rob Weitemeyer has his own very impressive rowing career. Rob completed his undergrad at UBC and was a Rowing Canada national team member for over 7 years. He has won numerous world championships including a silver medalist at the 2004 FISA World Championships in Spain and recently suited up for Cambridge University and was victorious in the 2010 Oxford Cambridge Boat Race.

Rob Weitemeyer was our host and coach for the day. He was kind enough to have a dry land training before taking to the real deal! We were very impressed with the coaches and team members from Vancouver College.

Eleven members of our office suited up, exchanging calculators for paddles and risking bodily harm in the rough false creek waters. Our very own official photographer (Lydnsey Winman) was out on the water to capture the afternoon event! Our 8-man boats were thankfully rounded out by several members of the VC rowing team, who had slightly better technique and fitness.

Rowing is definitely a real team sport with high expectations in terms of physical fitness and commitment to the crew! We learned the water lingo (like fall in, Back it, let it run, swing it, feather, back it down, crab, coxswain, hold, balance the boat, stern 4, etc…) and had a blast - although we might not have broke any world speed records, the Renaissance team excelled in terms of attitude, fashion and perseverance!

Thank you to Rob and the VC Rowing Team for a challenging and rewarding experience.  We look forward to our 2012 Regatta!

Semper Fidelis.

 

Mike

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