The boat park at the World Championships is a sea of national pride, and each oar has a colourful flag. Canadian blades, however, tell a different story. They carry the weight of 51 weeks where they’re nothing but red and white. A blank slate waiting for a defining moment. It’s only then that athletes have earned the right to put the maple leaf on their blades, not just as a symbol of Canada, but as a tribute to the journey they’ve been through to get there.
One of my earliest memories of rowing is watching the Canadian men’s 8+ win at the Beijing Olympics. Watching them race, I was struck by two things. The first was these incredibly strong men making their boat move so effortlessly, and the second was the maple leaves on their blades. At this point, I wasn’t aware of the significance that lay behind the leaf, and it was beyond my wildest dreams to say that I would someday be in a position to earn my own.
Photo Credit: Merjin Soeters
Rowers in Canada have been racing with the maple leaf since the first World Championships in 1962. Since then, there have been more than 800 athletes who have earned their own leaves. It stands as an important reminder to athletes that they’re not alone going into this stressful time. Hundreds of alumni have paved the path for them, and are backing them each stroke that they take.
One would think that with all the symbolism that this piece of vinyl holds, the ceremony that athletes receive them would be a big deal. However, most years it is a quiet event at the team hotel a few nights before racing starts, surrounded by your teammates and support staff. There is something special about this moment being exclusively with those who were on the “frontlines” with you, day after day, working towards the experience that you’re about to embark on.
During my first leaf ceremony in 2019 at U23 Worlds, I was told to think about my career through the analogy of a Maple tree, where no two leaves are the same. Every World Championships or Olympic Regatta is different; different circumstances lead you to each moment. This sentiment has stuck with me to this day, and before every World Championship, I like to take a moment to reflect on the journey that has brought me here. This little exercise is a powerful tool for giving myself confidence that I have done everything that I had to do to get to this moment. After that, your only job is to make the leaves fly. For myself, this leaf is representative of a new chapter in my rowing career, having my chance to take on the world on my own.
Photo Credit: Elisa Bolinger
“Working in para sport and trying to achieve a high level of participation after my accident hasn’t always been easy… but rowing has always been there. Now, proudly after years working within systems, training hard, and sacrificing, I get to put a maple leaf on an oar. I’m going to race my heart out, in recognition of how hard it’s been, and in homage and thanks to all the people who helped me get here.” -Stu Chase PR3 Mix4+
Stu’s sentiment is a powerful reminder that the leaves are earned, and are by no means guaranteed; oftentimes, it is a long and arduous road that leads you to representing your country internationally. Stu began rowing in 2018 with hopes of representing Canada at the Tokyo Paralympics. Seven years later, he is finally making his step onto the world stage. First leaves are confirmation that all the sacrifices you made were worth it; you’re meant to be here.
“My first senior leaf means the world to me. It is not only a symbol of competing for Canada, but of carrying the hopes and pride of everyone who has supported me.” -Maijken Meindertsma (M2-, M8+)
“It’s been nine years since I earned my first senior leaf, but each one feels just as special as the first. Every year has felt like a different journey in itself, and this one in particular feels special to be a leader in such a young team. The excitement from the athletes who are racing at the senior level is contagious and has introduced a fresh energy to the team. What is cool about getting to race for Canada is seeing and experiencing how much it means to each athlete.” -Caileigh Filmer OLY (W4-, W8+)
Although Caileigh is a veteran within our team, the excitement of earning the leaf has not wavered at all. Caileigh continued to say that selection races are the most stressful races of her year. Once on the start line, she can stay calm because she knows that everything leading up to this moment has prepared her to be her best on race day.
Photo Credit: Helena Filmer
It might sound silly, but that little vinyl maple leaf on your oar gives you superpowers of sorts. You sit up just a little bit taller, your blade work is just a little bit cleaner, and when you’re being asked the really hard questions deep in a race, it gives you just a little bit more to give. If it were a piece of our equipment daily, it would lose this power. With great power comes a responsibility: to represent your country to the best of your abilities. This year, thirteen Canadian athletes will have the privilege of representing their country for the first time at the senior level, and in doing so, they will join a long line of athletes who have carried the hopes and history of Canadian rowing on their blades.
Photo Credit: Adam Parfitt
