Hey everyone,

The time is drawing near! Seeing the other countries arrive this week on Lake Banook is making me realize just how soon the races really are. Another indicator- the international women’s canoe camp had its first session today in Lake Echo at Orenda Canoe Club. There was representation from Canada, USA, UK, Finland, Brazil and France. Two girls from Ecuador will be arriving this weekend.

We were able to have a great selection of boats to use- brand new Nelo and Plastex c-1s and c-2s. In the morning we went out for a short paddle so the coaches had the chance to observe and compare skill levels. I really didn’t know what to expect from the other countries given the limited opportunity we get to race against them, but I was pleasantly surprised. In the afternoon we were able to all go out for a longer practice and find at least one person who was of similar speed to paddle with.

I look forward to more girls arriving to compete and showing the world that progress is being made in women’s canoe. A big thank you to Elaine Keene for putting so much work into getting this camp organized and giving female canoeists the opportunity to be exposed to new levels in the sport.

Maria Halavrezos

What a weekend.

Jenna Marks and I are going to Worlds! We will be racing the c-2 500m and 200m events, just like we did in Brazil. Jenna also had a big win in the c-1 200m Sunday which means she will be racing that as well. Nicole Haywood got the c-1 500m spot, so a big congrats to her!

Canada’s women’s canoe team will do very well in Dartmouth- hope to hear you all cheering in August!

Maria Halavrezos

Hello!

It’s been a crazy few weeks… finishing high school, prom/graduation, trials on Lake Banook and, of course, a week in Rio de Janeiro! Jenna Marks and I raced C-2 for Canada at the Pan-American Canoe Championships and finished first in our three races (1000m, 500m and 200m). Mallorie Nicholson raced the three C-1 distances and swept the field as well!

It was an incredible trip. There is so much to look at no matter where you are. The mountains surrounding the race course, Christ the Redeemer (a 120-ft statue overlooking the whole city), favela villages, beaches, forests, animals, graffiti art, the list goes on! My disposable camera pictures won’t do Rio justice, that’s for sure.

But back to paddling. The team was great, everyone raced hard and Canada spent lots of time on the podium. After the regatta a coach from one of the other countries was very excited to get a picture with the three Canadian “canoeistas”, so it feels great to have made an impression on the international level.

Jenna and I came away from the competition happy to have been given the opportunity to race together again and to compete against new crews. We’re hoping it will prepare us even more for trials in Montreal where we’ll find out whether we secure a spot on the Senior Worlds team. There’s not much time left to prepare so that means it’s back to training hard on Lake Banook.

Thanks so much to everyone who made the trip possible- I had a fantastic time and if all goes well in Montreal, hopefully Jenna and I will see the South American girls again on Lake Banook in August!

Thanks for reading,

Maria Halavrezos