Elementary School Rowing Ergatta

NORFOLK COUNTY, Apr. 20, 2009 – On Saturday, April 25^th, Silver Lake Rowing Club and Norfolk area high school rowing teams will be hosting an Ergatta for local elementary school students.  Students will be competing on indoor rowing machines also called “ergs”. Teams from Burford, Simcoe, Waterford and Port Dover have already registered, and the event is open to all students in grades 3 through 8. 

Local elementary schools and businesses are partnering with the Silver Lake Rowing Club to make indoor rowing machines available in local elementary schools to promote fitness and the sport of rowing amongst our students.   Next weekend’s Ergatta supports the In-school Erg Program, while allowing for some fun competition.

Physical activity plays an important role in the optimum growth and health of our children. In the latest Student Health Survey, conducted jointly by the Haldimand Norfolk Health Unit and the Brant County Health Unit, 95% of our students did not meet the daily requirements for 90 minutes of physical activity.  

The creation of an In-school Erg Program will help to encourage local children to build physical activity into their daily routine, creating a pattern that may stay with them for the rest of their lives. The program will also introduce local students to the sport of rowing for recreation and competition.  Over the past 10 years, a number of local youth have excelled in rowing; both nationally and internationally.

Some schools have ergs in their school and are practicing for this race. However, all students in our area are eligible to race, and an introduction to using an erg machine will be provided at the race itself. The entry fee is  $15 at the door.  Entry forms are available on the Silver Lake Rowing Club’s website: www.silverlakerowingclub.com. 

Participants can also register at the event on Saturday, April 25, starting at 9:00 a.m. at the Silver Lake Rowing Club’s training room, 320 St. Patrick Street, Second Floor, (Lion’s Farmers Market building), Port Dover.  Door prizes will be drawn for each age group. The events start at 10:00 a.m. with the medals for the fastest boy and girl in each category.

If you wish to register, make a donation to the In-school Erg Program, or have any questions, please contact Dave Wilson, Teacher, at Elgin Ave. Public School, at 519-426-4628, or e-mail david.wilson@granderie.ca

The Silver Lake Rowing Club was established in 1999 to promote the sport of rowing across Norfolk and Haldimand.

To find out more about the In-school Erg program, contact Dave Wilson, 519-426-4628. 

To find out more about the Silver Lake Rowing Club, visit our web site at: www.silverlakerowingclub.com.

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