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Burnaby to host rowing regatta

Burnaby Lake will be the hot spot for national rowing next September, as it begins a three-year sting as host of Rowing Canada Aviron national championships.
rowing one
The Burnaby Lake Rowing Club, which hosted the 2014 RCA Canadian Masters championship, now will be the site for the Rowing Canada Aviron natoinal championships and Canada Cup Regatta for the next four years.

Burnaby Lake will be the hot spot for national rowing next September, as it begins a three-year sting as host of Rowing Canada Aviron national championships.
Rowing Canada Aviron made the announcement Wednesday, awarding the nationals and Canada Cup Regatta to B.C., with Burnaby Lake playing host. This year’s nationals run Sept. 22 to 24, followed by the Canada Cup on Sept. 25.
Peter Jackson, president of Rowing BC, described this as an opportunity to engage the provincial rowing community in a way that will not only benefit B.C. participants, but those from all over Canada.
“As a result of hosting over 30 regattas a year in B.C., our volunteers and officials have refined skills that enable them to deliver exceptional competitive experiences for athletes,” said Jackson. “Bringing together the volunteers from across the province will ensure we have the expertise required to host an outstanding (national rowing championships-Canada Cup Regatta); this will also strengthen the rowing community in B.C., an initiative we feel strongly about.”
It’s not just a one-year opportunity, either. The agreement runs until 2019, with Burnaby Lake the site each year.
Rowing BC submitted a comprehensive bid package for the multi-year event that focused on a seamless athlete experience and committed an enthusiastic volunteer base at a premier racing venue.
 Burnaby Lake has re-established itself as one of Canada’s top venues since it was restored to international standards in 2011.
The course provides ideal racing conditions with calm waters and minimal wind that are enjoyed by many rowers, including those who raced at the 2014 Canadian Masters Championship regatta.
“We are thrilled that Burnaby has been selected to host the 2016-2019 National Rowing Championships and Canada Cup,” said Jennifer Scott, Sport Burnaby’s senior manager.
“Burnaby has a proud history of hosting world-class national and international events, and hosting this event for the next four years is a natural progression in our vision to be a preeminent sport destination.”

Ian Gordon, Burnaby Lake Rowing Club director at large and a key supporter of the province's application to host the events, believes it will only benefit rowing in Burnaby.

"Winning the bid for the Rowing Canada Aviron National Rowing championships and Canada Cup for the next four years is a huge win for Burnaby. All of Canada’s best and up and coming rowers, including national team members, will be at this event," Gordon said in an email to the Burnaby NOW. "We are expecting 250 to 300 athletes from across Canada. These championships will be used to select athletes for Olympic Games, world championships and other international events. This is the first time Burnaby Lake has staged this event."

He noted that it should also spur further investment into the club, which requires an updated pavillion -- the original one built in 1972 -- and the removal of the decaying grandstands on site.

He also noted that while the lake benefited from dredging five years ago is still plagued by other issues.

"The dredging of the lake in 2010 allowed the fish to come back because the water was naturally made deeper (and colder) and allowed the fish to swim more freely. But weed control is getting to be a bigger and bigger problem because of climate change. It’s a delicate balance at Burnaby Lake to make sure we preserve the environment while allowing more access to nature and sport enthusiasts. The Burnaby Parks Association and the Stream Keepers are key contributors to maintaining this balance," he added.