By Nathan Hutton (The Cascade) – Email
Print Edition: March 11, 2015
The bright sun split the morning sky over Fort Langley on Saturday morning, where crowds of rowing fans gathered to watch the UFV rowing team host their annual Head of the Fort Regatta on the Fraser River.
Head of the Fort is the biggest event of the year for the UFV rowing team. It’s always a hit for locals, and this year was no different; throngs of people lined the side of the river and the bridge to get a glimpse of the rowers and snap photos.
In previous years this event, while yielding good results for the UFV rowing team, has had some bad outcomes in the weather department — but this year was different. The sun shone in the cloudless sky, making for the best possible viewing conditions for fans of a sport that isn’t always the best for spectators.
The event showcases rowers of all different skill levels and backgrounds, including junior (17 or under), university, and master (25+) crews.
Varsity rower Riley Dueck noted that it is advantageous for the team to have an event on their training ground, and to be familiar to your surroundings and nuances of the course.
“I think the reason why [having an event in Langley] is so big is because we know it so well. Everybody knows the course so well. Everybody is fighting to do the turn exactly how we know it.”
According to Dueck, the rowing team cares about their fans a lot and just wants everyone to come down and have a good time for a couple hours.
“It is super important for us to have a good race and train hard and perform well, but it’s also important that we put on the best show possible. People love it every year and that’s why they come back.”
Some notable rankings: UFV placed second in the Mens 8+, as well as the Womens 2x and the mixed 2x. For full results of the Head of the Fort, check out ufvcascades.ca.
