Report by Chris Marshall, Gavin McKay and Derek Schwandt

     The week of March 11-18th, 2007 saw many of Canada’s top Junior eligible athletes come together for a week of training and learning at Shawnigan Lake School on Vancouver Island. By all accounts the camp was a huge success! The athletes learned a great deal and left camp with a better sense of what is truly required to be a National Team athlete and, of course, a few blisters.

     This year’s camp was slightly different than last year’s inaugural effort in that only 18 athletes were invited to attend. As such it allowed the coaching staff to focus more on teaching and training as opposed to identifying athletes abilities.
With this in mind, the early days of camp were 2 a day sessions with afternoon or evening presentations and the odd games night thrown in for some interest. As camp progressed into the week we moved to 3 a day sessions on the water and some more intense rowing. The camp concluded on Sunday morning with a mock Time Trial over 1500m, which gave both the athletes and coaches some valuable information for consideration as we move forward. Training was done primarily in a 4- and 4X (Women) and in two 4-s and a 2- (Men) in the early part of the week and progressed into the smaller boats as the week went on.

     Athletes and coaches enjoyed incredible hospitality and convenience while at Shawnigan Lake School (SLS). We were extremely fortunate to have the schools facilities at our disposal, including Lecky House, Read Crew House, the Cafeteria and Shaw lecture hall. Our friends at SLS were gracious and accommodation hosts seeing to every requirement of our camp. Wes Hyde, Danielle Beare and all of the SLS support staff played a very large role in the success of our camp. Their contributions to this effort
were appreciated and voiced by all in attendance.

     Some camp highlights included:

-    Mike Spracklen’s lecture presentation on technique
-    Al Morrow’s fireside discussion on “what it takes to be a National Team athlete”
-    Adam Parfitt and Gavin McKay’s presentation on China and Chinese culture
-    Seb Kallos and Conlin McCabe rowing with the Sr. Men’s 8+ (2) for 3 workouts on Tuesday
-    The Jr. Women racing against UVIC on Elk Lake on Saturday
-    Brian Price, Athens Olympic 8+ coxswain, driving a Jr. Men’s 8+ for two workouts on Saturday
-    Over 200km rowed
-    All boats in the Time Trial over 90% including one at 92.12% and one at 94.50%

     The 2007 JNT Winter Camp was a tremendous success and many thanks are in order as a result. Thanks are due to RCA and VP High Performance Phil Monckton for providing financial support for the camp participants. Thank you National Team Coaches Mike Spracklen, Al Morrow, and Terry Paul for your time, wisdom and guidance. Thank you to Adam Parfitt and Jarret (Subway) Poitras for your contributions over the week. Brian Carr (Brentwood) and Steve Taylor (Manitoba Rowing Assoc.) were also on site and assisted, as needed. Finally, another thanks to the tremendous folks at Shawnigan Lake School and especially Wes Hyde for his part in making our camp the experience that it was. We hope to be back next year!