Rustlers rowing crew stacked with potential

Twenty student-athletes representing the Lakeland College Rustlers rowing crew are gearing up for the return of the Head of Vermilion Time Trials.

The first boat launch is at 10:30 a.m. at the Vermilion Provincial Park Reservoir on Saturday, Sept. 28.

"We're inviting university rowing, as well as club crews. This event is a great opportunity for people to witness some competition and to see some rowing firsthand," says Peter Walsh, Rustlers Rowing coach.

Eighty rowers are expected to compete, representing the University of Alberta, University of Calgary and University of Saskatchewan, as well as club crew members from Edmonton, Calgary and Saskatoon.

Hosted by the college and the Lakeland Rowing Club once every three years, the three-kilometre head race includes categories for quads and eights. The Rustlers will compete against the clock in men's quads and women's eights and quads.

"I'm excited about our upcoming rowing season. We have one returning rower, and a great turnout of rookies to fill out the rest of the team," says Walsh. "Our competitive season will be done before Thanksgiving because of the positioning of some of the regattas. We don't have much time to get them up to speed, but the crew is very enthusiastic and they want to be out on the water."

The Head of Vermilion Time Trials is the second race of the 2019-20 intercollegiate season for the Rustlers, who will start their season at the Dino Sprints in Calgary, Alta. on Saturday, Sept. 21. The Rustlers rowing crew is the only college team that competes against Western Canadian universities.