Liam Gilby, a Grade 12 student at Holy Rosary High School, is preparing to compete at the National Rowing Championship for singles and pairs in North Cowichan B.C. from Nov. 10-13. Two other local rowers, Elijah Lopez and Shelby, have qualified for races in Ontario in late October and early November. Supplied Photo
Lloydminster-bred rowers, Liam Gilby, Shelby Lane and Elijah Lopez are dipping their oars in the water this month to prep for some upcoming competitions across Canada.
Gilby, who is just 17, has qualified for the National Rowing Championships for singles and pairs at Quamichan Lake in North Cowichan B.C. on Nov. 10-13 in his rookie season.
Lloydminster Rowing Club president, Michelle Lopez, reports the teen rower won a qualifying time trial in Saskatoon on Oct. 1 to make Team Saskatchewan as a singles sculler.
“I am super proud of all he’s accomplished. In year one to make a Canada Summer Games team and now to qualify for nationals is an exceptional season,” said Lopez.
Gilby will row at the nationals over a 2,000-metre course at the same location as Rowing Canada’s new National Training Centre.
Lopez’s oldest son, Elijah, who rows for Brock University in Ont. with a men’s eight crew, will race for gold at the Ontario University Athletics Championships (OUA) in St. Catherines, Ont. Oct. 28-29.
His Brock boat had success at the Western Invitational Regatta on Sept. 24 in London, Ont. and the Head of the Trent Regatta in Peterborough, Ont. Oct. 1-2.
“The men eight won gold in both events to qualify for the OUA championships in St. Catherines,” said Lopez.
If they win there, they will earn a berth in the Canadian University Championship (CUC), which will also be held in St. Catherines on Nov. 5.
Shelby Lane is also getting ready to compete in pairs at CUC after coming off a stellar season, earning a silver and bronze medal at the Summer Games in different boats with Team Saskatchewan.
Gilby also fared well at the Summer Games in Niagara, Ont.
He’s a Grade 12 student at Holy Rosary High School and is splitting his training time between Killarney Lake near Lloydminster and Saskatoon.
“We took the docks out on Monday (Oct. 3). However, due to really great fall rowing weather, the docks were left in three weeks longer than normal,” said Lopez.
“It’s kind of a first for our club to have a true fall season.”
Lopez says this has been a great season highlighted by standout performances by Gilby, Lane and her eldest son and hopes the club can build on what they started.
“We’re really excited with all the success our rowers have had to bring more attention to the sport of rowing,” she said.
Meanwhile, the club is getting set for its indoor winter season starting in November.
“It is a really good opportunity for people to try rowing for the first time and it can be either sport-based or fitness based for interest,” said Lopez.
She also expects her youngest son Jonah to restart indoor training after tearing a quad and hamstring muscle prior to the Summer Games.
