School rowing growing, results from city championships

Rowing is a lifestlye Drew van Bourgondien has happily adopted.

But its not one the 15-year-old originally set out for when she started at St. Andrews Regional School.

I didnt know I was going to be a rower and I can easily say its become part of my life, she said on Sunday afternoon. Coach (Alia Zawacki) has taught us a lot and pushed us hard.

Van Bourgondien watched the final races of the high school city rowing championships at Elk Lake from her teams tent with many of her St. Andrews teammates. Theirs was one of the many collapse-able gazebos that leant a festival vibe to the regatta, and protected rowers and spectators from the rain.

Van Bourgondien won both events she raced in, the junior womens quad and eight. Full results from Nov. 3 and Nov. 4.

It was a great weekend for us, said Zawacki, co-ordinator and head coach of the St. Andrews Rowing Academy. The former five-time national champ with the Vikes built the program herself, and will see many of the crews to nationals this spring.

This is a very young program, our second year, so were particularly excited about winning so many junior (Grade 9 and 10) and Grade 8 events, Zawacki said.

St. Andrews won six of the city championships 25 events one behind overall leader Claremont, the regions other high school rowing academy.

Rowing, it seems, is becoming more popular with the youth of Greater Victoria.

From what I understand, the city rowing league started in the 1980s with about 40 rowers, and its up to 600 now, said Kevin Light, first-year coach of the Claremont rowing academy.

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School rowing growing, results from city championships