Kawaja, a Corner Brook native, is willing to play a role in reviving the sport of rowing in the Humber Valley this summer.
“When you row you learn to love it,” Kawaja said earlier this week.
Kawaja has been rowing for the past 15 years, but the sport has dropped off in the Corner Brook area the past couple of summers and the boats didn’t hit the water at all last year.
According to Kawaja, there are a lot of avid rowers in the region who miss the sport, so she feels it’s worth making an attempt to see if she can create some activity on the water this summer.
The Humber Valley Rowing Club hasn’t been active in the past two years, so Kawaja knew somebody would have to take a leadership role in turning things around. She has been putting out feelers around the city to generatre interest and she’s been pleased with the positive feedback.
“I’m hoping I can find people who will work with me, or that I can work with, who can get it going again,” she said.
The first step is making sure the four boats owned by the local club are fit to use. Kawaja said the boats aren’t in the greatest shape, but she has contacted a fibre specialist who will take a look at the boats to see if they can be repaired. She said the docks are in great shape and the oars are only a couple years old, so having a thumbs-up to the boats is key.
“If we can get the boats water-safe, we’re going to move forward,” she said, noting a general meeting will be called once it has been determined that the boats will float.
Kawaja said the club will be looking for men and women interested in becoming coxswains. They don’t need any experience because rowers like herself can teach them what they need to know to be the steersman.
In the past, there have been rowers who hit the Humber River for an early-morning perspective from the water and there were other groups who chose to wrap up a busy day at the office with an evening venture.
No matter what their personal choice, Kawaja believes anybody who rows will find out quickly why she’s focused on reviving the sport in the region.
“It’s a very balanced sport. You’re exercising all parts of your body equally. Both sides at the same time. It’s very balanced,” she said.
Anybody interested in any aspect of rowing can contact Kawaja at [email protected].
