The water had a slight chop on Monday morning out at Killarney Lake where the Sask Summer Games 2024 Canoe/Kayak races started after delays due to smoke.
An official with the event noted they had to have an air quality index of less than seven before they could launch boats this morning. They were cleared with a reading of five shortly after 9 a.m.
The local team, Rivers West, has eight athletes participating at the regatta, according to coach Quincy Demenciuk-Angus. A former athlete turned coach, she has a unique perspective on why it was important to take the next step into coaching.
“Well, for me, it’s that I know how much fun it is to compete in games; a lot of friendships have been made through canoeing, that’s how I’ve met my best friend, we canoed together,” explained Demenciuk-Angus. “I just know it’s a lot of fun and I want that experience for lots of other kids.”
Her little brother, Glyn, is one of the kids she’s encouraged to get into the sport. He’s travelled all over Saskatchewan, Alberta and even to Halifax, Nova Scotia, in pursuit of his goals to go further in the sport. He agrees with his sister when it comes to making friends and noted the amount of work it takes to participate at this level.
“I want to be here with my friends and learn more about Canoeing,” said Glyn, 12. “Almost every day we train, we go from one side of the lake to the other.”
Issac Sunchild, 16, self-described as extremely competitive, told the Source this is one of the many sports he’s found over the years thanks to the encouragement of his father.
“I’ve played sports for as long as I can remember; my dad’s always pushed me to do the best I can,” said Sunchild.
He also agrees the friends he’s made canoeing have helped along the way, but finds one specific part of the sport the most rewarding.
“Pushing all that weight in one single stroke is exhilarating to me,” said Sunchild. “You have to take lots of your own time (to learn) the sport.”
Quincy, having experienced the world as a competitor, thinks in time, athletes of the sport will come to find one more reason to participate.
“When I’m doing solo races, I really like it, when I’m practicing solo, when I’m out on the water, it’s like your mind can go blank and you can just paddle, focus on getting to the finish line.”
The finish line for this week’s regatta is Wednesday afternoon. Heats are held in the morning and finals are held after lunch every day until then.
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