Remus Wyse-Morris had a dominating performance at the 2019 BC Indigenous Provincial Canoe/Kayak Championships, taking top spot on the podium in the 18U 3000 metre canoe, 3000 m kayak, 1000 m kayak and 1000 m canoe competitions. (Photo courtesy of ISPARC)
For immediate release —
A strong field of athletes competed at the 2019 BC Indigenous Provincial Canoe and Kayak Championships as they look to paddle their way onto the provincial team, which will compete at the Halifax 2020 North American Indigenous Games (NAIG) next year.
A total of 65 athletes competed at the provincial championships hosted in partnership with Seabird Island First Nation and Canoe Kayak BC on Sept. 21 and 22. The event, which included categories for athletes in 13U, 15U, 18U age categories, also served as a talent identification event for provincial coaches to identify athletes to nominate for the Team BC NAIG Development Squad.
“We had a strong showing of paddlers in all the age categories, which sets us up well for forming a solid development squad. We are in the process of determining our selections for the development squad and those athletes will continue to train until the spring. At that time we will make decisions on which athletes will represent BC at the North American Indigenous Games,” said Team BC NAIG Coach Peter Amos.
The North American Indigenous Games will take place in Halifax from July 12-19, 2020. It is estimated 5,000 participants will compete in 15 sports. This will be the first time the Games will be hosted in Mi’kmaq territory.
In the 13U women’s category Autumn Malloway, Yakweakwioose (Chilliwack), paddled her way to the top of the podium in all four races she competed in. She took first place in the women’s 3000 metre canoe, women’s 3000 m kayak, 1,000 m kayak and 1000 m canoe.
Also having a dominating performance over the weekend was Remus Wyse-Morris, Snuneymuxw (Nanaimo), who swept first place in the 18U men’s 3,000 m canoe, 3000 m kayak, 1,000 m kayak and 1,000 m canoe competitions.
Arthur Smith, Penelakut (Chemainus), had three first place finishes in the 13U men’s competitions winning the 3,000 m canoe, 3,000 m kayak and 200 m kayak races. Alexander Smith (Forest Grove) kept him from sweeping by knocking him off the top of the podium in the 1,000 m kayak race.
The Indigenous Sport, Physical Activity and Recreation Council (I·SPARC) deliver an annual series of BC Indigenous Provincial Championships and Sport Development Camps in various communities across the province. These events were strategically established to support athlete and coaching development in communities across the province and provide an ideal opportunity to conduct talent identification for Team BC NAIG.
The Team BC NAIG program is supported by the Province of BC and provides approximately 540 Indigenous athletes, coaches and Mission Staff from across BC with the opportunity to experience a major international sport competition and to share and celebrate their cultural heritages with other youth from across the continent.
For top four results in each category of the provincial championship please click on the documents:
Media contact:
Kristi Patton
Team BC Communications Coordinator
Indigenous Sport, Physical Activity & Recreation Council kpatton@isparc.ca
(c) 250.488.8367
