Sherbrooke getting ready for sprint nationals

The biggest sporting event in Sherbrooke since the 2013 Canada Summer Games is just under two weeks away. Starting August 28, more than 2,000 young athletes representing 40 different canoe and kayak clubs across the country will converge on Sherbrooke’s Lac des Nations to compete in the 2018 Canadian Sprint Canoe Kayak Championships.

“Things are stressful, but it is a good kind of stress,” said Nicholas Lemay, President of the organizing committee for the competition as well as the Club Nautique de Sherbrooke, explaining that there is still a great deal of work to be done before the events get started at the end of the month. Over the next two weeks Lemay said that locals can expect to see some new structures popping up around Jacques Cartier Park in preparation for the competitions including judging towers and boat launches.

Nathan Desmarais, head coach at the Club Nautique de Sherbrooke, highlighted the hosting of this competition as a sign of strength for the local club. He pointed out that the organization has been going through a rough patch, with 8 different head coaches over the course of ten years. Despite those struggles, however, he pointed out that 11 different local athletes have qualified to compete in the national level competition.

For Anne Catherine Lavallee Letour, one of the members of the Sherbrooke delegation, it is a big plus to be paddling on familiar waters.

“Personally, I think it is one of the best sites in Canada,” Lavallee Letour said.

Highlighting the rare bonus of having a paddling venue that is located in the middle of a city rather than in a more remote location, Lemay encouraged people to come from far and wide to watch the competition.

“Come see, it’s free,” he said, adding that the organizing team is also still looking for volunteers to help things run smoothly. “The more we have, the better.”

Anyone with questions about volunteering can call 819-432-1659. More information about the competition is available at http://sprintnationals.canoekayak.ca/

GORDON LAMBIE The members of Sherbrooke's delegation to the Canadian Canoe Kayak Championships, along with Head coach Nathan Desmarais (far left) and organizing committee president Nicholas Lemay (far right). The national level competition will take place on Lac des Nations in the heart of the city in just under two weeks time.