Members of the Yorkton Canoe Kayak Club Racing Team competed in Regina this past weekend at the Season Opener Regatta. Saskatoon, Regina, Yorkton, and Calgary athletes had fun racing as they kicked off their competitive season. Josh-lynn Kohut (12), Stephan Roy(10), Ethan Caskey (16), Raya Cuthill (15) represented Yorkton at the Regatta.
Season Opener is traditionally hosted by the Saskatoon Racing Canoe Club at Pike Lake, SK (about 30 minutes from Saskatoon). This year, it was decided to move the event to Regina in order to use the race course at Wascana Lake.
“Season Opener is an opportunity for coaches and athletes to get an idea of their race times at the beginning of the season. We can then set goals for the rest of the summer and adjust the training plans to reach those goals.” said YCKC Head Coach Jessica Riley. “The larger competitions are in Regina this season, not spread out like in previous years, so this decision allows us to more accurately track our athletes progress over the summer as we will be using the same race course”.
Day one of racing had to be rescheduled due to poor weather conditions. “Canceling a race day is difficult, especially when paddles have traveled from Calgary to come compete,” said Riley, “Ultimately, the organizing committee made the right call to cancel the events on the day and move a bunch of events to Sunday.” Instead of the scheduled racing, the coaches worked together and organized a multi-club training session using small stretch of sheltered water. “It was great to be able to paddle a little. It was cold and miserable out but the athletes made use of the day.”
Day two racing started an hour earlier than originally planned but brought favourable racing conditions. “Sunday everyone was happy and excited for the day. It was the complete opposite weather than day one so the paddlers were looking forward to being on the water” said Riley.
Stephan Roy (under 11 category) won 5 gold medals in his 250m, 500m and distance events. Josh-lynn Kohut (under 13 category) medaled in all her events (2 gold, 2 silver and 1 bronze). Raya Cuthill (Under 16 category) and Ethan Caskey (under 17 category) had strong races and finished top 4 in their age categories.
Athletes now turn their training focus to the Canada Day Regatta & Western Canada Cup, June 30/July 1 in Regina. Athletes from all over Western Canada, USA, and the Yukon are planning to attend.
YCKC will host two events this season. The Yorkton Developmental Regatta will be Saturday, August 18th. This regatta brings together new paddlers and any U15 athlete in SK.
The 5th Annual Dragon Boat Race will be Saturday, September 8, 2018. “We are accepting registrations for this fun event. Teams are 10 paddlers, 1 drummer, and 1 steersperson. It’s a great way to advertize your company or organization while working together as a team” says Riley. “The cost is $40 per person and that includes a team practice. Register soon and book your practice!”
YCKC is looking for volunteers for these events. No experience is necessary. Please contact YCKC to get involved.
Looking for something fun to do this summer? CanoeKids camps are for 8 – 12 year olds. There are 7 camps throughout July and August. Cost is $175/4-day camp. Programs run 8:30am - 4:30pm each day. Check the YCKC website for more information and to register. The YCKC Racing Program is for ages 8 - 16. New paddlers are welcome. Participants train to compete at competitions. Program runs 10am - 4pm, Monday - Friday. Fees and more information is on the website.
Toonie Sundays will begin Sunday, June 10th from 2pm - 4pm. Cost is $2/paddler. Join YCKC on Father’s Day Toonie Sunday & BBQ. Fathers paddle free!
Join YCKC for lunch at the Yorkton Co-Op on Saturday, June 23rd from 10am - 2pm. Big thank you to the Yorkton Co-Op for this fundraising opportunity.
For more information on YCKC and its programs please visit www.yorktoncanoekayakclub.com, email yorktoncanoekayakclub@yahoo.ca or follow YCKC on Facebook.
