Rob Paterson 

Maylie Valiquette, a rower at Aviron Quebec’s Centre National Development et Performance (CNDP) who trains on Brome Lake under Gavin McKay, has been awarded a full scholarship by the University of Tennessee. Maylie will join the Tennessee squad this fall. 

“I am very grateful to the world of rowing which continues to offer me the necessary support to meet new challenges and thus allow me to access another level of my abilities!” 

This opportunity exists for Canadians because, in the US, Title IX ensures that women’s sport at the university level has the same resources as men’s sports. Consequently, resources for women’s row- ing have become truly significant. The largest area for the funding of men’s sports is football. Consequently, resources for women’s rowing have become truly significant. Many universities have to recruit outside of the US to satisfy the funding. 

A talented teenage female rower, who is prepared to work hard, has a better than 60% chance of winning a full scholarship. 

The benefits go beyond four years of free education. The experience of fitting competitive rowing into the rest of your life sets up a person up for success in life. Such people have learned how to manage themselves, delay gratification and acquire mastery. Schools and employers understand this profile and accordingly give priority. 

Where to start? In 2023 Aviron Knowlton (AKR) has a new fleet of boats. There are now eight single-seat training boats and a quad. While there are already 130 young people in the school program, there is room for other new young rowers to try the sport. 

If this interests you, go to AKR’s website for more information about youth rowing. 

Camps de jeunes – Réservation