Team Canada Welcomes You - Canucks and honorary Canucks too!

[Louis-Eric Simard]

It is that time of the year again: we've just gone through the Holidays, and we feel a bit heavier and slower. The cold winter is ahead and training looks like a good idea. Staying at home in the cozy warmth also, unfortunately, sounds like a good idea.

Concept2 has a month-long challenge going through the month of January to help us shed away the holiday excesses and get our bodies back in shape for the surprisingly early spring, find motivation, and meet new friends.

Team Canada invites you to join in the January Virtual Challenge. Our only expectation is that you row a bit more with us than you would by yourself. If we achieve this again this year then we'll be a success. If you aimed to row 2000 meters, row 5000 with us. If you were aiming for a million, how about 1.1 ? We welcome all Canadians, expats, and honorary Canadians (e.g., anyone who likes hockey, maple syrup, Pamela Anderson, Mike Myers, Cirque du Soleil, Avril Lavigne or perhaps Celine Dion) alike.

WHAT YOU GET

If you are the social type we have forums, a Facebook group, after-event dinners, a newsletter, motivational e-mails and exceptional camaraderie. If you prefer solitary effort within a broader context, then you can use as much or as little of the above as you want... and you'll always be welcomed when you need that extra bit of motivation or pat in the back.


HOW TO REGISTER

This year, to participate, you need to confirm with Concept2 that you truly want to participate. Fortunately, they've made it very easy. You no longer need to e-mail your Team Captain your name or e-mail or rowing ID (which is great, he loves the correspondence, but he also likes sleeping once in a while). You simply need to log in to your Concept2 Logbook, then click on Teams (or visit this link):

http://www.concept2.com/sranking03/log_team.asp

If you are a member of Team Canada, it will tell you right away. Otherwise, you'll see a Join A Team box; just choose Team Canada (*not* Team Canada Eh -- they are cool too, but they are not that huge group of underdogs who have still managed to win this thing twice in a row) and click OK.

Then, you need to confirm that you also want to participate in the challenge. Do so by clicking this link:

http://www.concept2.com/sranking03/team ... nchallenge

That's it ! From then on you are a member in full standing, and any meters you have rowed will go towards the team totals. If you get this late and have already rowed a few meters, do not worry; even if you join on the 2nd or 3rd, any meters rowed since midnight on January 1st will count towards the team totals.



DEADLINES

There is a deadline for registration this year. I'd suggest that you register for the event even if you are not sure that you will participate. This way, even if you change your mind later on and want to join in, you'll already be in. And if you end up not participating, the team will not be penalized anyway.



INVITE FRIENDS !

We are an open team. Do you have a friend or family member who would like to join us ? Ask them to log-in to (or create) a Concept2 Logbook, and join the team by visiting the Teams tab. Last year, we had more than a dozen families rowing together: parents and children, and even grand-parents ! It's a great way to share a really constructive experience together.


GET IN TOUCH

You can contact me at any time via the Private Messages. If you have trouble logging in, signing up, or anything, pls. let me know !


Cheers,


Louis-Eric Simard
Team Canada Captain

[Louis-Eric Simard]

We have a special call today for couples and families. As of today, we have 19 couples and families (that I know of) rowing with their loved ones. This is a great way to share quality time together and share your values (including proactive self-care, fitness and well-being) with those who share your life and those you guide through life. If you are in the military on a peacekeeping mission and have loved ones at home, that's also a great way to share an experience together despite the distance.

Our team is mostly formed of Canadians (nationals and expats), but we equally welcome honorary Canadians (anyone who likes hockey, sweet desserts, beers with friends near the fireplace, peacefulness, Cirque du Soleil, and perhaps even Avril Lavigne, Mike Myers, Pamela Anderson or Celine Dion).

Once you've had your loved ones join in, pls. let me know !

Here's how to join us:

In your online logbook, click on Teams. You'll be offered a dialogue where you can Join a Team. If you are contemplating joining a team that is by invitation only, click on the team name and get in touch with the Team Captain. If you want to join us, just select Team Canada and click OK; that's all you'll need to do to join ! We'll follow up with your forum passwords and motivational e-mails. We have dedicated consistent riders at the top riding 20-50k every single day. That's a great team to ride along with !

Once you've joined a team, click on Teams again and confirm that you want to participate in the January Winter Challenge. That's true of registration with any team, Team Canada included.

Cheers,

Louis-Eric

P.S.: Of course, we also welcome solo riders !