The Algonquin College Singapore Slings held their first practice of the year yesterday evening. The weather was great and from the first strokes leaving the dock to the last strokes coming back in an hour or so later it was as though we had been paddling through the winter instead of taking almost eight months off.

We’re a good 400m team, meaning that we usually do quite well in 200m sprints and the 400m races at the Fall 400 in Carleton Place, but when it comes to the 500m races in Ottawa we’re not as consistent. To rectify this, we’re stepping up the endurance training, which means they’re going to be doing more drills involving paddling for longer runs. (I say “they” because I’m the steersman, so my job is relatively unchanged. 🙂 )

We actually made it to the railway bridge, which we haven’t done in quite some time. Getting to the bridge is a good target to aim for, so hopefully we’ll be back there often. From the Rideau Canoe Club to the bridge and back is about 6km, but I’m sure it felt even longer because the wind was in our faces most of the way back.

Our next practice is Saturday morning and I, for one, am looking forward to it.