It takes an individual with unique talents to row competitively. A person needs to be strong, tall and athletic in order to race along the water in the narrow row boats. They need a good lung capacity, especially when it comes down to the final strokes, and they need the long limbs required to make the oar strokes.
According to 2008 Olympic gold-medalist, Ben Rutledge, only about one in 10,000 people would meet the physical requirements it takes to be a professional rower.
Rutledge began his rowing career in his second year of university. It was his tall stature that caught the eye of a rowing coach. From there, Rutledge trained with coaches and mentors in Canada's rowing program. He later went on to win seven World Cup medals, three world championship titles, an Olympic gold medal and in 2009 he was inducted into the B.C. Sports Hall of Fame.
Canadian rowers have won 40 medals at the Olympic games, including nine gold. Because of Canada' strong rowers, the program was given a large grant in order to create a development program that will actively search out potential rowers and train them to become the country's next champions.
Row to Podium was the result of the funding. The program targets high school students from Grades 10 to 12 who have no experience in rowing, but have specific traits that suit the sport. Traits like height, strength and endurance are very important to being successful in the sport, Rutledge said.
"We're trying to identify Canada's next Olympic and Paralympic champions," he said. "We're looking for people with some unique, exceptional physical capabilities."
Row to Podium coaches have been building relationships with high schools across the country, including Burnaby, to try to identify which students could potentially fit the necessary criteria.
The program hosted a recent recruitment night at Burnaby 8 Rinks. They invited students from the community to come out and participate in two physical tests to determine whether or not they have the necessary cardiovascular endurance and body strength.
"I happened to stumble upon her at the volleyball game and asked her to come along and do the tests," he said. "She has since stopped playing volleyball and she loves (rowing). It's a tough sport and it requires a certain mindset and drive, but she loves it and is showing some great signs of future success." Balooch placed seventh overall in the junior women's single sculls at Rowing Canada's Aviron's Spring Trials at Burnaby Lake on April 20. This was her third competition since she began training.
Balooch said that it's taken a lot of hard work to get ready for competition. Before joining the program, she didn't really know much about the sport of rowing other than what she had seen on television.
"I knew what rowing was, but I didn't really know how difficult it was, or the fact that it was even a cardio sport," she said.
The Burnaby native's ranking at the spring trials will help coaches and program officials determine whether or not she'll be chosen for a national team one day, which is Balooch's ultimate goal.
But she admits it'll take some more work before she's ready for any world competitions.
"When you actually (row), there's so much to think about," she said. "Every stroke is different, and you always have a new thing to think about."
Until then, Balooch will continue her training with Rutledge and the Row to Podium program while, hopefully attending the University of B.C. next September.
For more information or to try out for the program, visit www.rowtopodium.ca.
