Some hard work has paid off in a big way for Natalie Burt-Carrol at the recent Deep Cove Rowing Regatta.
The Grade 8 student from Tsawwassen, who stands at 5-foot-10, decided to give rowing a try and signed up for Delta Deas Rowing Club's popular Learn to Row Program.
Not only did Burt-Carrol enjoy her time on Deas Slough, she embraced it, training four days a week under the terrific guidance of DDRC coaches Teri Gambrel and Tim McCormick.
It was finally time to test her progress and the Deep Cove regatta, a fall racing event for high school rowers, was an ideal gauge.
Burt-Carrol ended up having a significant role in an impressive showing by DDRC athletes with most returning home with medals.
She was a member of the gold medal winning women's novice quad crew, then later added another first place finish.
She closed out the competition by being allowed to "row up" and compete in an intermediate race against older and more experienced competition. She didn't look out of place at all, helping DDRC to a silver medal.
Burt-Carrol is already looking forward to next spring when DDRC's high school program resumes its schedule with events on Vancouver Island and Washington State.
