The University of Winnipeg rowing team is entering its second season this fall. Julian Araneta, who founded Manitoba Post-Secondary Rowing (MPSR) at the University of Manitoba in 2006, said he decided to organize a U of W team last year because there was significant interest from students during the club’s first two seasons.

Now the two university teams train together as MPSR and compete as one team against other rowing programs for most of the year. During the fall, however, they represent their own universities, competing against other university teams and participating in the Canadian University Rowing Championships in early November.

Last year, U of W had only one developmental crew attend the championships, but Araneta hopes more crews will attend this season.

The club has grown over the past three years. There were about 35 members on the team last year.

Unlike many university sports, no experience is required to join the team. In fact, Araneta said, the ideal age to begin rowing is during one’s university years, between the age of 18 and 24.

The club is always looking for new members, who can join any time of the year.

“We’re open for people who want to drop in and join the program halfway through … it doesn’t matter if we’re on the water or off the water,” said Araneta.

Students interested in getting involved are encouraged to visit the Manitoba Post-Secondary Rowing website at www.mpsr.org or e-mail Araneta at [email protected]

Published in Volume 64, Number 5 of The Uniter (October 1, 2009)