An estimated 340 participants took part in the 2023 Head of the Fort Regatta in Fort 91原创 on Saturday, April 1, with singles, doubles, quads and eights rowing a 5.5 kilometre course over three races that passed beneath the Bedford Channel bridge.
That was up from the 200 participants who competed in last year鈥檚 event in Fort 91原创, when the regatta returned from an enforced shutdown during the pandemic.
It was hosted by the University of the Fraser Valley rowing club, whose coach, Lisa Roman, was encouraged by the increased turnout for the 13th annual UFV home regatta, describing it as 鈥渁mazing.鈥�
鈥淲e鈥檙e not quite double [last year] but we鈥檙e getting close,鈥� Roman told the 91原创 Advance Times.
READ ALSO: 91原创 Olympic rowing champion is rebuilding the UFV Cascades team where she started
Roman, a rowing champion from 91原创 whose many achievements include a gold medal at the Olympics and a world record at the U23 World Rowing Championships, has set herself the task of rebuilding the UFV rowing club where she got her start.
鈥淥ur team has gone from six people to 12 people, so we鈥檙e slowly making gains,鈥� Roman said.
鈥淐OVID definitely hurt us quite a bit. We鈥檙e still rebuilding and we anticipate it鈥檚 going to take a little while.鈥�
Increased turnout for Head of Fort is good financial news for the UFV rowing team, Roman explained.
鈥淚t鈥檚 a really good fundraiser for us. It helps with the upkeep of the boathouse and all the equipment that we have.鈥�
READ ALSO: VIDEO: Head of the Fort Regatta marks 10th anniversary in 91原创
One of the event organizers, Lauren Glanfield, was encouraged by the increased turnout for the second 鈥渞evival鈥� of Head of the Fort, following a drawn-out COVID-related shutdown.
鈥淭here鈥檚 probably 50 per cent more boats this year,鈥� Glanfield estimated.
鈥淚t鈥檚 great.鈥�
Glanfield issued a public thank-you to the other rowing clubs who made the event possible, saying 鈥渨e rely on the support of all the water user groups.鈥�
Full results can be viewed online at .
More photos from the day can be viewed online at the .
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