It’s time to hit the lake rowing.
The Cold Lake Rowing Club is ready to pick up their paddles for another season, and they want other water sport enthusiasts to join them.
Currently eight members strong, the club meets weekly for group and individual rowing sessions.
”Our goal this year is to grow enough to have 20 members in the club, with the hopes of starting a youth program as well,” explained Sarah Jane Drummond, secretary for the Cold Lake Rowing Club board.
Drummond started rowing last year, and said there’s no other sport like it.
”I like being outside and with the lovely northern Alberta weather, we don’t get a lot of that in the winter. This is a great way to be active outdoors. It’s a really fun team sport. If you don’t want to be a member of a team, you can even row individually, we do have single boats,” she described. “It’s a lot of fun and there’s really nothing like gliding onto of the water when you’re all in sync... It’s one of the most freeing feelings.”
Unfortunately, the club didn’t get the chance to take part in any regattas last season, but have plans to do so this year. However, Drummond said it’s all for fun.
The Cold Lake Rowing Club have been in the Lakeland for five years and are a member of the Alberta Rowing Association as well as the Canadian Rowing Association.
They launch into French Bay from their club house at Kinosoo Ridge.
Becoming a member is easy, all you need is an interest in the sport and to be 14-years-old and up, but before you can climb into one of their boats, the club asks all potential members to take part in a learn to row session.
”Our plan is to host one near the end of June, but people should definitely keep their eye on our Facebook page, because that’s where we have the most up-to-date information,” noted Drummond.
The reason for the age restriction is for safety, she explained.
”We’re looking at having people 14 and older, just with safety, it’s better to have people who are a little more confident and by 14, I think they will be slightly more confident in the water.”
Aside from that, no experience is necessary.
Even the equipment is supplied by the club. From life jackets to the boat itself, all of it’s available at their club house.
Drummond encourages anyone even considering joining to give it a shot.
”It’s a fun thing to try and if you don’t find that the learn to row is your cup of tea, there’s no harm and no foul; if you don’t like it, that’s alright.”
She added, “It’s a fun way to do cardio and you don’t realize how much you put your whole body into. You’re just doing it.”
For more information, visit the Cold Lake Rowing Club on Facebook.
