Rustlers ready to race new boat

He's also pumped about a new boat that will make its racing debut at the regatta at the Vermilion Provincial Park on Sept. 24

"We just got a mid-weight double boat in the middle of August and it's amazing," says Walsh, head coach of the Rustler Crew. It's the same boat model that the Canadian lightweight double sculls pair of Lindsay Jennerich and Patricia Obee used to win silver at the Rio Olympics.

"This boat is our Gretzky. If I get the right people in that boat, it will be very competitive," says Walsh.

One of the rowers in the new boat is likely to be Jacquelyn Davidson, a third-year rower who made the varsity A final at the Western Canadian University Championships last year. She's among 10 veterans on the team. There are also some promising rookies on the Rustler Crew. "We have eight novices and they look pretty good. They're ready to get racing," says Walsh, who's pushed the team hard with twice-a-day practices since early September.

The Head of the Vermilion Regatta, which is held every three years, is the first race of the intercollegiate season. Crews from Lakeland, University of Calgary and the University of Alberta will compete, as will club teams from Cold Lake, Saskatoon, Edmonton, Leduc, Lacombe and Lloydminster. About 150 competitors are expected.

The regatta includes categories for single sculls, pairs, quads and eights. Rather than going head-to-head, teams compete against the clock on the 3.5 km course. Races start at 10:30 a.m and 1 p.m. "We hope lots of people will come down to the park for the regatta. They can see the boats up close and learn more about the sport," says Walsh. 

In addition to the hometown race, the Rustlers will race in Calgary Oct. 1. They'll follow that up with the Western Canadian University Championships Oct. 16 in Burnaby, B.C. Nationals are in early November in Welland, Ont. 

The Rustlers cross-country running team is also competing at the Vermilion Provincial Park on Sept. 24. The team is hosting the third grand prix of the Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference season. The women's race starts at noon, the men at 1 p.m.

Posted:  September 21, 2016