The North West Masters regatta is upon us. There are only two on water sessions left before we load up, head down, and show the competition who the Big Red Machine really is.
The past few weeks, your coaches have have been chin wagging about how your crew(s) have come together in rowing ability and spirit. Adam, Pierre and I are pleased with the calibre of rowing in your crews and the intensity at which you have been training. We expect to do very well as a team.
I'd like to turn your attention to two areas that we so very often neglect during our busy work week, that is nutrition and rest. You and your crew mates have done the work necessary to compete on North West Coast regional stage so it is very important to gain as much rest as possible and fuel your engines with quality foods. We all get sucked into having "another coffee" or a "smaller cookie" and more often than not "another beer". Between now and race day, it is best to limit your caffeine consumption, sugar (this should be very low to begin with) and lay off alcohol until your important races are done. Instead, choose healthier alternatives such as green tea, fruit, etc. This should be common practice anyway but a friendly reminder is often warranted. Eat lots, eat healthy, and get to bed instead of watching Jimmy Fallon.
Lastly, as a team, we will be representing our Red and White (both VRC and Canada) on Star Spangled soil. Please represent us well by wearing your crew gear and lending a hand to the regatta committee and other rowers as needed. Although we come from many corners of the globe with varying race experience and history we are united as a community and a team of rowers representing the VRC.
As one of my former rowing coaches used to tell me before a major race: "you've done the work, now it's time to show'em what you can do".
