From Aug. 18-24, an eight-person rowing crew, composed of six Vancouver Island athletes and two from Ontario, will represent Canada at the U19 World Rowing Championships in St. Catharines, Ont.

The 16- to 18-year-old rowers have been training together since they were selected to represent the country at the Junior National Trials in June.

They train at a number of facilities on the Island and row twice a day, six days a week, for two hours at a time. 

B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 a lot of volume, a lot of training, a lot of work,B次元官网网址� said head coach Terry Paul, who added that the crew rows between 16 to 20 kilometres every two-hour session B次元官网网址� which is about 200 kilometres per week.

Island rower Declan BlueB次元官网网址檚 dad, Fred Blue, said the rowers have embraced this hard work and are motivated to win.   

B次元官网网址淭he crew has been training tirelessly for months, showing an unwavering commitment to their sport,B次元官网网址� Blue said in an email. B次元官网网址淓ach member has sacrificed personal time and energy to ensure they are in peak physical and mental condition.B次元官网网址�  

Paul says he thinks the crew is up to competing in the World Championships. 

B次元官网网址淭heyB次元官网网址檙e learning to row better together, and theyB次元官网网址檝e had good prognostic times relative to gold medal standards,B次元官网网址� he said. B次元官网网址淚f everything goes well, theyB次元官网网址檙e going to be competitive, and the hope is they challenge for a medal.B次元官网网址�  

But first, they have to get to St. Catharines. Rowers are expected to cover their own travel expenses and lodging fees. To help offset these costs, the crew created a campaign on GoFundMe that has received almost $4,000 in donations. 

Those interested in helping the crew reach their $36,000 donations goal can do so here: .

B次元官网网址淚t is not lost on any of the boys that representing Canada on the world stage is a significant honour,B次元官网网址� said Blue. B次元官网网址淭he crew is determined to make their country proud.B次元官网网址�