17 locals get training in sport rowing

The sport of rowing in St Vincent and the Grenadines received a much needed boost over the weekend, as 17 locals received training during a technical course, the first ever held here.{{more}}

The course, which took place in Layou last Sunday, saw males, ages 14 to 21, trained in the technical aspects of the sport by International Rowing Federation (FISA) development consultant for South and Latin America Osvaldo Borchi.

The course took place at the Grace and Truth Campsite and Jackson Bay in Layou and covered both aspects of indoor rowing, using ergs (rowing machines) and on the water, using competition skulls (boats).

After the training, the rowers were classified and placed into teams.

Borchi, who has coached several teams in Latin America, said that he was pleased with the course and stressed that the athletes have potential.

“I am happy, as the athletes have great physiological development and now have to work on improving their techniques and endurance. I am looking forward to seeing a team from St Vincent and the Grenadines in the 2018 Youth Olympics in Argentina and the 2019 Pan American Games”, said Borchi.

The training camp comes after a three-member team travelled to Chile, where they competed against 23 other teams in the region for a spot in the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio.

While the team failed to qualify, they came in for high praise for their professionalism and perseverance from Borchi.

Team member Kevin Gibson said that it was a learning experience.

“After El Salvador last year, I was happy to compete in Chile. While we did not qualify, we learnt a lot, in terms of training techniques, especially for stamina and look forward to putting in more work for the upcoming competitions.”

The next competition for SVG rowing will take place in the summer months, with the National Outdoor and Indoor Champion-ships, scheduled for August 2016.