In that four-year cycle where so many sports fans finally tune in to elite rowing, one of those who aspires to that height will be focusing elsewhere.
Burnaby’s Layla Balooch is one who will follow the 2016 Rio Olympics and Canada’s rowers eagerly, but from a different perspective.
A University of Victoria student and full-time devotee of competitive rowing, Balooch will cheer Canada’s best on, all the while channelling her ambition and goal of being at a future Olympics into the World under-23 championships later this month in the Netherlands.
“I guess so much has happened in the last four years that it really doesn’t feel like a short time,” Balooch said of the journey she’s taken since picking up the oars as a senior at Burnaby North secondary. “I’m in a new city, at a new school – I’m where I want to be.”
The 21-year-old rower reached a huge personal goal last month when she qualified for the Canadian under-23 team, as the lone singles women’s rower that will compete Aug. 21 to 28 in Rotterdam.
In the past two years putting herself on that roster was a major focus.
“I kind of set out in 2014 (to make the u23 team) as the first goal I really wanted to achieve,” she said, “and to finally get it is pretty special.”
The selection process truly kicked in last May, with a two-day regatta and time trials.
“That went really well for me and from there I got nominated to train for the Worlds,” Balooch recalls. “It’s kind of a tricky spot because you want to celebrate and be happy but no one had their tickets yet... We had a June trial where you had to hit (within) two per cent of the highest percentage to make the cut.”
With that done, the 6-foot-2 athlete climbed back into her sculling boat, constantly addressing her rowing portfolio.
“I think physically is the obvious answer, and it’s true I had to get stronger, more mobile,” she said of her progression. “I think mentally is another big area that is always being worked on. You have to stay calm when your body’s adrenaline is flowing.”
Last year’s u23 national title proved to be a big benchmark in her growth, and Balooch says the next step will be intense.
“The idea of representing your country is a big thing to get my head around. For me, it’s making it about all the people who invested their time and belief in me.”
With no national development centre for women, Balooch transferred from UBC to UVic two years ago, which has both a strong program and national standing. That decision, along with falling under the tutelage of coach Barney Williams, have been major boosts to her career trajectory.
“Barney’s really amazing,” she said. “By making this team I get to show what a good coach he is. He’s just so knowledgable and understanding of what an athlete needs to do.”
Preparation is an area that has made a difference in her rise to be the top u23 woman singles rower in Canada. Unlike the majority of aspiring national rowers who strive to become one with their crew in double, four or eight person boats, Balooch's chosen field is all about going it solo.
"I go through my race plan a lot, not a daily thing or anything because you don't want to lose the finesse of the moment," she notes. "But on a race day I'll go through it, think things through.
"I guess the biggest difference between the single and crew boats is you are definitely more individualistic, a lot more isolated. (Williams) has made a plan for me so I can do what I want and what I need."
When she hits the water in Rotterdam, Balooch says her focus will be on getting her boat across the finish line in the fastest time.
“Nobody goes in to win silver, I think that’s the best I can say. I’ve always said I want to see how good I can be, and I’m really looking forwrad to racing the best women in this boat class, and see how good I can be.”
