School competes at rowing regatta

Local rowers did well as they competed at the Head of the Nicomekl River rowing regatta in White Rock on Saturday, September 23. Three of the almost 100 boats entered for the Twisty Race, a challenging six kilometre course held on the Nicomekl River, featured rowers from Salmon Arm Secondary and all three finished at or near top spot in their races.

SAS Aida Mills teamed up with Jonas Masys from Vernon to compete in the junior mixed double and won the gold medal and the title of Best Junior Crew for the regatta. Heidi Miege, Kirsten Ely, and Julia Reed lost their fourth teammate to an illness, so were joined by librarian extraordinaire Jen Reed to compete in the open women’s quad. They had the fastest time in that boat class. 

The men’s junior team in the quadruple sculls – Peter Ely, Jonathan Breugem, and Ian VanBergeyk, raced through to a second place finish in their event. Their fourth team member was also ill so they were joined in the race by a student from Delta Deas Rowing Club.

There were smiles all-round at the finish line and gratitude expressed to the race organizers, as well as to local coaches Doris Mills and David Miege. 

UPDATE: Congrats to Salmon Arm Secondary student Aida Mills, who finished fifth in the women’s single sculls category at the recent National Rowing Championships at Quamichan Lake in Duncan on September 30!

Next on the rowing race schedule the Head-up-the-Creek Regatta at False Creek in October.