The Laval News | The rowers of the Club d'aviron de Laval shine at the Lachine Canal meeting

CAL has been located near the Lachapelle Bridge in Chomedey since the 1960s

Despite timing issues experienced by officials in Lachine and incomplete results, the rowers of Club d'aviron de Laval took first place in both the women's open four (a boat with four rowers) and the mixed doubles (a boat with two rowers) last weekend.

Located in Chomedey behind the École Saint-Maxime on a small beach along the Rivière des Prairies known as the Berges des Cageux, the CAL is a local sports group that has been offering rowing activities for people of all ages and levels since 1956.

Many opportunities to compete

In rowing, there are several boat classes in which athletes can compete, from single sculls with one person to rowing boats with eight rowers and a coxswain (navigator).

There is a wide variety of track types and race formats, although most elite and championship level racing is held on quiet tracks up to two kilometres long with marked lanes.

The CAL was founded by a small group of German-Canadians under the leadership of Albert Conrad. He made the backyard of his house on the Rivière des Prairies available as the CAL's first base of operations. The club has been based at its current location near the Lachapelle Bridge since the 1960s.

A long club history

When the club was founded, it was known as the Montreal Rowing Club and was associated with rowing clubs along the waterways of Eastern Ontario. The CAL has the honour of being the first rowing club in Canada to open up rowing as a sport to women.

The club offers a range of programs to new members, depending on rowing experience, goals, age and physical condition. The club's resources and facilities include around thirty boats, some for beginners, for recreational training, but also for advanced members who take part in strenuous competitions.

Good performances last Sunday

Around 25 club members took part in competitions on a pool on the Lachine Canal last Sunday morning and afternoon. In addition to the women's victories, the men took second place in the junior under-17 doubles and third place in the men's masters foursome and mixed doubles.

The club members participated in competitions on the Lachine Canal

Club members also took part in the U19 women’s junior doubles and the Skiff Master competition. Laval NewsWhen the deadline for submissions passed earlier this week, CAL athletes were waiting to hear if the club had won the women's U23 skiff event, although the timing issues mentioned above delayed the results.

A great overall sport

According to CAL spokesman Florian Cys, the club's up to 100 members compete in rowing competitions every two to three weeks in summer and autumn. He points out that rowing, along with swimming, is considered one of the best sports of all, as it causes little physical strain and has a positive effect on cardiovascular health.

“The sport is open to everyone and of all ages,” he said, pointing out that CAL members train almost every morning from 6 a.m. near the Lachapelle Bridge. For those who come home from work, there are also early evening training sessions around 5:30 p.m.

The Club d'aviron de Laval is located in Chomedey, 3676 Boulevard Lévesque Ouest. Phone: 450-687-8812. Email: [email protected].