Jones named to Canada’s U23 team for worlds
Trevor Jones is taking another step forward in his rowing career.
The Burleigh Falls native has been named to Rowing Canada’s under23 team for the World U23 Rowing Championships in Plovdiv, Bulgaria from July 19 to 23. He finished fifth last year in a double but this year will row singles sculls.
In addition, Jones is one of two 19-year-olds also invited to row with the senior men’s national team at the third World Cup event of the season a week prior in Lucerne, Switzerland. He will also row single sculls in his first experience with the senior program which is headed by Peterborough native Terry Paul. Jones, who attends Trent University, is currently in Victoria, B.C. training.
At national team trials Jones had the fastest single sculls time among U23 rowers and was fifth overall among senior men.
Jones hopes to be in the mix for a podium spot at the U23 event.
“There are a lot of fast guys and a lot of returning guys from the A final from last year so ti’s going to be a tough field,” said Jones. “There are guys there who have already raced at World Cups in the single and finished in the top six so it’s going to be challenging.”
His expectations for World Cup aren’t as high simply because of his youth and lack of experience compared to a field that will include Olympians.
“We made a decision to throw me in a single because it would be best for my development long term and would help set me up to fit in with the senior program down the road,” said Jones. “It’s just to get more race experience. I’ll be racing against guys who went to the Olympics last year and won meals at the Olympics. I’ll be racing a higher class of athlete than I’ve ever raced before. It will be nice to see the next level and get me introduced to what the senior level of racing is. The main goal this year is to try to medal at U23s. My goal at World Cup 3 is just to race and enjoy it and get the most out of it.”
Jones, who is coached locally by Carol Love, said he’s putting down good times in training.
“You never know heading into racing what everyone else is going to be like. You see results and have an idea but you never know with conditions and stuff. I feel heading in that I have the speed necessary to compete to win but you never know what is going to happen on race day.”
This will be his first international race without a partner.
“I’ll prepare the same way and race the same way but it’s a bit nerve-wracking being on your own because you have to look to yourself for support. You don’t have anyone else to help you along. I’ll have to push myself,” said Jones.