Julianne Girouard, the lone Flatwater North paddler to compete in the U16+ Provincial Championships this past weekend in Kamloops, B.C. In the K-2 and K-4 500-metre events, Girouard and her teammates earned spots at Nationals in Regina.

Girouard is the only Flatwater paddler in her age category, so for the two National events she competed with girls she had not raced with before.

Her coach, Lynwen Birch, said it was impressive that the two paddlers were able to qualify for Nationals with no training together and just getting in the boat and competing.

Girouard and her K-2 partner, Brin Nyvall, a kayaker from Victoria, had raced together last year so there was some familiarity. Their K-2 500-metre time was two minutes, seven seconds, good for second place and a spot at Nationals.

The pair of Girouard and Nyvall teamed up with Keisa Bleiler and Gillian Helliwell for the K-4 500-metre race.

With two unfamiliar teammates in the boat, Girouard said she felt some pressure but she has been racing with new teammates for a while now.

“I do it a lot at regattas,” said Girouard. “It’s hop in the boat and go. I definitely felt a little nervous before.”

Their boat came first in a time of one minute, 56 seconds to qualify.

At Nationals the K-2 and K-4 boats will race under the FCSCC banner because you can’t have more than one club banner per boat.

Being the first kayaker from Flatwater to reach nationals is something Girouard is not taking lightly.

“I feel proud to be representing the Yukon even though I’ll be with a different club,” said Girouard. “I’m still with the Yukon and there is definitely some joy and pride.”

She also believes it is a step to putting the Yukon on the paddling map.

“It is a step to being taken seriously,” said Girouard. “Having athletes from the Yukon at Nationals helps people realize they have to take notice.”

Birch said Flatwater is the only club from the Yukon so while at Nationals they will still be repping Flatwater with their flags and gear.

It is a big opportunity for Girouard to compete at a large event.

“It’s good to send athletes to be part of a multi-day event,” said Birch. “They will see the National team and see that’s the pathway. She’ll see the speed, the tactics and the stroke rates.”

From a coaching perspective, it will help Birch plan for the future.

“I am pleased because we know what work there is to do for future building,” said Birch. “It can do a lot for motivation and wanting to do more work.”

Along with the team events, Girouard also competed solo. In the K-1 1000-metre heat she came third posting a time of five minutes, 17 seconds.

In the final Girouard placed sixth but was able to shave 10 seconds off her final time.

The top four qualified for Nationals and although she did not qualify there is still a chance to make it if extra lanes come up.

Birch was happy with the result and the fact that she still has a chance at Nationals.

“My hope, as a coach, it is nice to seem them qualify in a single craft,” said Birch. “It shows their work independently.”

Girouard was not satisfied with her results but said she is taking it as a learning experience.

“I’m a little disappointed that I didn’t make it,” said Girouard. “I’m only 15 so next year I will have more time to develop more power and strength. I’m motivated to keep moving forward.”

In her K-1 200-metre race Girouard placed third in her heat reaching the finish in 49 seconds. Her time in the final was 51 seconds and she placed tenth.

Birch said the 200-metre race did not go as well as hoped.

“It was the last day of the race and it was a challenging start,” said Birch.

She also pointed out some of the challenges that Yukon paddlers face when travelling Outside.

“Flying in the day before a race is a challenge,” said Birch. “They also have to borrow equipment that does not meet all the specs of what we have here.”

Up next for Girouard will be the Yukon Championship Regatta this weekend at Schwatka Lake and in August she will be competing in the Western Canada Summer Games in Swift Current, Sask.

She felt this past weekend’s races were good prep for the Games.

“The more competitions the better,” said Girouard.