Local paddlers took part in a qualifying event for the BC Summer Games on June 2 at Long Lake. Nanaimo club commodore Ashley Rowe expects as many as ten athletes will get an invite to the games. (NCKC)

By Dan Marshall

Paddling On

Local paddlers vie for BC Summer Games places at Nanaimo qualifier

Jun 13, 2024 | 1:55 PM

NANAIMO — The Nanaimo Canoe and Kayak Club hosted a BC Summer Games qualifier earlier this month on Long Lake.

Paddlers aged 13-16 years old took part, many from the Nanaimo area and several from Victoria.

It also included a jamboree-style regatta for those aged 12 and under which was the first opportunity for many to experience canoe and kayak racing.

The top score for qualification on the female side went to Paige Emanuel who earned 110 points while collecting three first place finishes.

Samantha Manlow grabbed 108 points with two first place results while Mateo Laca Swets posted the top male results with 110 points.

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He picked up four first place finishes along the way.

With one first place result and four second place finishes Sam Sayers was just behind Swets with 108 points.

NCKC Commodore Ashley Rowe expects there will be word very soon about which athletes will qualify for the summer games.

“I anticipate ten athletes will represent the Island with the addition of the wildcards which will be announced shortly.”

On the June 8-9 weekend, Manlow represented Nanaimo at the Ted Houk Regatta in Seattle.

She competed in singles and doubles but had her best result, a second place finish, in the Women’s Bantam K-4 500 metre with her three other teammates.

On June 22 the Nanaimo club will host its next major event, the second annual Rally to Race on Vancouver Island at Long Lake.

Rowe encourages anyone interested to sign up.

“The day will support the growth, development, and sustainability of paddle sports in the region through the recruitment and training of coaches and officials. It gives access to a regional regatta which hosts fun, safe multidiscipline paddling races and training opportunities.”

Nanaimo will also host a provincial development camp later in the summer.

“It’s August 19-23 with a development regatta in partnership with CanoeKayak BC on Aug. 24. The development camp and regatta will be open to youth in our community that are not necessarily part of the club.”

Rowe is excited about the potential of the young paddlers at NCKC.

“The current team of local paddlers is young. They are developing their fundamental skills, both individually and working as part of a team, while learning to train in a variety of paddle sports. Our vision is building paddlers for life. Recreational and competitive sports are healthy ways of building mature and responsible citizens, developing leadership skills, providing social interaction, and promoting full participation in society.”

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