Sask. athletes set to compete at Canada Games
The Canada Summer Games provide a platform for Saskatchewan athletes — as Kendell Massier can attest.
The 19-year-old Regina rower is about to compete in the national multi-sport event for the second time.
“It changes how I’m going into the racing and knowing who my competition is and knowing how I can progress,” she said about returning to the Canada Games, which begin Friday and run until Aug. 13 in Winnipeg.
Massier brings a lot of confidence and experience to the women’s rowing team because she has competed on the national stage, and because she just finished her first season rowing with the Ohio State Buckeyes.
The Games will be special for Massier, who will be competing with her 14-year-old cousin Lauren Matai, from Saskatoon.
“It’s awesome to be able to come back and experience this and give her that experience and share it with family,” Massier said.
The two will be part of the 420 Saskatchewan athletes, coaches, managers and support staff heading to Winnipeg for the Games. The Saskatchewan squad is comprised of athletes from all corners of the province, making up 21 teams that will participate in all 16 events.
“We’re very excited to participate,” said Mark Bracken, the chef de mission for Team Saskatchewan.
“It’s going to be a unique games in that it’s the 50th anniversary of the Canada Games and the 150th of Canada all wrapped up into a celebration in Winnipeg.
“This isn’t just another single sport age-group national championship. It’s a lot bigger than that and you’re really part of a bigger team.”
For Saskatoon’s Andre Gagnon, it won’t be a single-sport event, because he’s competing in cycling and sailing.
“I’m excited, for sure,” he said. “It’s what I’ve been working for. This is the event everyone has been looking forward to. This is what we aim for. This is a goal.”
Preparing for the Games was no small feat. For the last several months, Gagnon had to train six or seven days a week, a couple of hours each day. Sometimes he would have to train in both sports in one day, but he said the two sports have many similarities.
“I found that cycling is like crosstraining for sailing and sailing is like cross-training for cycling,” said Gagnon, 17.
Gagnon said he hopes to advance his career in both sports after the Games.
“It definitely is a great opportunity for our athletes,” Bracken said. “It’s a stepping stone, in a lot of cases, to a national team or international, or in some cases even Olympic-level, competition.”
It certainly helped Massier move her sporting career forward, and also put her in a position to help guide the younger athletes and help them achieve their goals.
“My advice would be to stick with it and just be dedicated and committed and see the opportunities that rowing and oaring can give you,” she said. “There are always going to be downs and ups, but keep working towards a goal.”