Grade 12 student Hudson Palmer’s vertical jump is measured during the RBC Training Ground event earlier this spring in Victoria. (Submitted photo)
By Mandy Moraes, NLPS Staff
Hudson Palmer from Nanaimo District Secondary School may be closer to his Olympic dream than he once thought.
The 16-year-old student-athlete was named one of the top 100 competitors in Canada by RBC Training Ground, a program that scouts and develops future Olympians.
Since February, the program has tested more than 2,500 athletes, ages 14 to 25, evaluating speed, strength, power, and endurance. By late September, Palmer was one of just 11 Vancouver Island competitors and the only one from Nanaimo to reach the finals.
“They measure your wingspan and your height. You do all your basic testing, like the jump, strength pull, the 40-metre dash, and the beep test,” Palmer said, recalling the qualifying event in Victoria last spring. “Then there’s sport-specific testing. And for me, that was rowing.”
Palmer is used to recognition, having competed provincially in swimming since the age of eight.
Rowing drew his interest through RBC Ground and UVic’s rowing fundamentals program.
“With my swimming background, a lot of the movements felt similar,” he said. “And I was already used to early mornings. I’m not really a morning person, but after years of swim practice, it’s just a habit now.”
On Nov. 1, Palmer joined Canada’s top young athletes at RBC’s National Final in Vancouver, facing intense tests for sport funding, mentorship, and a chance with 15 national sport organizations.
Only about one-third of finalists will ultimately be chosen.
The latest round of testing brought a few new challenges. One, in particular, that pushed Palmer to his limits.
“Every minute, the resistance on the attack bike went up by four RPMs, and you would hold it … That one hurt a lot,” Palmer said with a laugh.
Finalists also did sprint cycling and broad jump tests. Palmer suspected that Rowing Canada focused on endurance-heavy attack-bike results.
Despite his enthusiasm, the young athlete faced a challenge before the event even began.
“I rolled my ankle — it looked a little purple, but I toughed it out with a brace,” he said. “Given that, I did well. Many competitors were 18 to 21, but I held my own.”
After a series of tough competitions, Palmer and 99 other hopefuls now wait for the results. Last year, RBC revealed its top 30 in December, so Palmer hopes to hear before the year’s end.
Regardless of the outcome, looking back on his experience, he’s glad he took on a new sport and encourages others to do the same.
“Put yourself out there. Try something new, even if you’re scared to. And if you like it, then great! And if you don’t, at least you tried something new.”