Vancouver Great Eight profiled in media

Vancouver Rowing Club's racing squad known as the The Great Eight has been training to compete at the 2006 Montreal Outgames. Xtra! reporter André Beaucage spent some time with the team and learned about how training for the Outgames as part of a rowing team has helped some of the team members in their struggle to embrace their sexuality openly, comfortably, and without fear.

One aspect of diversity that many overlook is the millions of closeted queers that live every day with no rainbow stickers on their cars, gay bowling leagues to join or even friends to talk to about their true feelings. Of all the ambitious goals shared by this summer's Gay Games and Outgames, perhaps none is more essential than the struggle to embrace our queer sexualities openly, comfortably and without fear.

 

In one case, at least, the games have achieved just that. Jessie Shum is in the closet and, assuming her parents don't read Xtra West, she will remain there for the time being. But for Shum, the idea of competing in Montreal at the first ever Outgames as part of the Vancouver Rowing Club's Great Eight was simply too delicious an opportunity to pass up.

Read the full article: Xtra_TeamGreatEight.pdf

Update 11 Oct 2009 - Although the Great Eight has shrunk in size, some of the rowers continue to be active at the Vancouver Rowing Club and compete at local and international regattas. A group dedicated to the squad can be found on the All Oars group known as The Fantastic Foars. Use this link to spread the word: http://thefantasticfoars.glrf.info