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Help send me to World Champs!!

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Hello, I’m Andrew, and I am a National Team Rower currently training on Canada’s beautiful west coast! I am looking to invite you to be part of my journey over this summer and beyond as I look to represent Canada at the Olympics in 2020!

This summer I have the unique opportunity to represent my country at the World Rowing Championships in Rotterdam, Netherlands, where I will be racing the coxed pair between August 22nd and 27th. Please consider helping me on my journey as I attempt to become a World Champion by donating to my page! 

Photo coutesy Kevin Light

About me:

    Growing up in Chelsea Quebec, just north of Ottawa, I began a competitive athletic career as a cross-country skier. Growing up in a family of skiers, I always dreamed of going to the Olympics and winning a medal for my country. In 2010, I lived at a national training centre in Mont-Sainte Anne, Québec and trained full time for skiing, but decided shortly afterwards that high-level skiing wouldn’t be my avenue to the Olympics. Then in early 2012, family friend and Olympic Gold Medalist, Rob Marland, suggested I give rowing a try. At 6 foot 4 and 225lbs, I realized that rowing would suit my body type much better than skiing! I moved to Peterborough, Ontario that summer to train with legendary coach and former Olympian Carol Love. Luckily, my past years of training and racing as a cross-country skier helped immensely with the transition, providing me with a great fitness base to carry over.

With my dad and my brother at 2008 Ski Nationals 



Rowing on the Trent Canal in Peterborough in 2013

After rowing and going to school in Peterborough, Ontario for a year and a half, I decided to make the move out to Victoria in 2014 to try and make the Olympics in Rio. Moving to Victoria was a tough but essential step for my progression in the sport. Over the last two and a half years, I have experienced some great athletic highs and some lows.

I have learned from the best and know that I am ready to devote myself to this summer’s World Championships and to the next four years of training as I dedicate every moment to accomplishing my dream: win gold at the 2020 Olypmics. World Championships will be my first International event where I will be wearing the maple leaf for my country. It will serve as an essential stepping stone towards 2020.


Warming up before heading out for a row, Photo courtesy Kevin Light.


Why I need your help:

I am appealing to supporters of elite athletes to help me achieve my dreams this summer and beyond. During this Olympic year I have experienced many budgetary cuts happen to developing athletes so that the rowers heading to the Olympics can be better supported. Of course, I completely support the decision of putting Canada’s funding towards our Olympic team, but unfortunately, this has left the development team, Canada’s future Olypmic Rowers, in a difficult position of having to pay our way to competitions over the summer.

Competing agaisnt the Dutch Olympic eight at Royal Henley earlier this summer.

This summer alone, I have had to cover the costs of two major competitions, and will also have to pay for National Championships in the fall. Rowing is a full time job - we train over 1,100 hours per year, meaning that we have little time to earn money outside of training. Your contribution will help alleviate the financial burden and allow me to focus 100% on my preparation for World Championships!

Costs

Costs associated with World Championships are 3000$; 2500$ for team fees + 500$ for food and unexpected costs. Any extra money raised will be used towards funding future expenses leading up to 2020!


Whats in it for you?

Of course you will get my unending appreciation and gratitude and a personal thank-you email to every supporter! Additionally, I have included some extra perks if you choose to take advantage of them.

Donate 50$+ and you will get a subscription to my online newsletter detailing the lead-up to Worlds!


Donate 100$+ and you will get a postcard thanking you for your contribution, as well as an online newsletter subscription.

Donate 300$+ and you and/or your business can get a free rowing session/lesson or presentation on my experiences of the summer. I will be in Ottawa/ Peterborough area during the fall and Victoria over the winter.

Thank you for taking the time to read this and I look forward to having you join me on this journey!

Training for FISU in 2014, where we finished fourth




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Donations 

  • Lyne & Ian Gascon Lennie/Lennie
    • $100 
    • 8 yrs
Donate

Organizer

Andrew Stewart-Jones
Organizer
Chelsea, QC

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