As the afternoon sun briefly emerges between sudden downpours at Griffiths Stadium, Saskatchewan Roughriders quarterback Trevor Harris squints skyward before firing a tight spiral that cuts through gusting winds. Just moments earlier, players were huddled under tents as a spring thunderstorm rolled across Saskatoon, temporarily halting day three of the Riders’ 2024 training camp.
“That’s prairie football for you,” Harris laughs, wiping rainwater from his face shield. “One minute you’re battling heat, next minute you’re dodging lightning. But honestly, this is perfect preparation for our season.”
The veteran pivot’s attitude reflects the resilient approach head coach Corey Mace has emphasized throughout this weather-challenged camp. Rather than viewing the conditions as a hindrance, the team appears to be embracing the meteorological chaos as an opportunity.
“We play outdoors in Saskatchewan—this isn’t exactly breaking news,” Mace told me during a brief respite from the elements. “Our guys need to be ready for everything. Wind, rain, heat, even a little snow sometimes. The teams that can adapt quickest often find themselves playing in November.”
The unpredictable weather has created interesting wrinkles in what was already shaping up to be one of the more competitive Rider camps in recent memory. Position battles across the roster have intensified, with special attention paid to the receiving corps and defensive secondary.
According to Saskatchewan-based weather statistics, spring training sessions in the province typically experience three to four significant weather shifts per week—a fact not lost on General Manager Jeremy O’Day.
“When we scheduled camp, we knew what we were signing up for,” O’Day explains, gesturing toward darkening clouds on the horizon. “There’s a mental toughness that develops when you train in these conditions. Some guys embrace it, some struggle with it. That information becomes part of our evaluation process.”
The conditions have indeed revealed character. Rookie receivers in particular have shown varying degrees of adaptability to the gusting crosswinds that have played havoc with timing routes. Canadian draft pick Samuel Emilus has stood out, showing remarkable hands in difficult conditions, while defensive back Rolan Milligan Jr. has used the wind to his advantage, baiting quarterbacks into risky throws.
Fan attendance, always a barometer of Rider Nation’s enthusiasm, has remained impressively steady despite the weather swings. Dedicated supporters like Moose Jaw resident Donna Havelange haven’t missed a session.
“I’ve been watching Rider camps for twenty-seven years,” Havelange says from beneath a green and white umbrella. “A little rain isn’t stopping me. Besides, you get to see who really wants it when the conditions turn nasty.”
The Saskatchewan skies delivered another weather curveball yesterday when temperatures dropped nearly 15 degrees in under an hour, accompanied by penny-sized hail that sent players and coaches scrambling for cover. When practice resumed, special teams coordinator Kent Maugeri turned the weather into an impromptu special teams drill.
“We had punters trying to place kicks against 40 km/h gusts,” Maugeri explains. “You can’t simulate that indoors. Our gunners were dealing with slick turf while trying to maintain their lanes. That’s valuable experience.”
According to Environment Canada, this spring has been particularly volatile across the Prairies, with precipitation levels 28% above seasonal averages in the Saskatoon area. The resulting muddy practice fields have slowed some drills but added an element of uncertainty that coaches are using to their advantage.
“Football isn’t played in a climate-controlled bubble,” defensive coordinator Chip Garber notes. “When a defensive back has to make a sudden cut on soggy turf while tracking a ball in swirling winds—that’s when you really see what you’ve got.”
Not everyone shares this philosophical outlook. Several veteran players, speaking off the record, admitted to frustration with the constant interruptions and equipment concerns. One offensive lineman joked that he’d spent more time drying his gear than actually wearing it during practices.
Equipment manager Gordon Gilroy perhaps has the most challenging job during these weather extremes. His staff works constantly to ensure proper equipment function despite the elements.
“Rain is actually tougher than snow,” Gilroy says while organizing a rack of freshly dried practice jerseys. “Water gets everywhere, adds weight to equipment, creates visibility issues with visors fogging up. But this is our reality, and we adapt.”
Saskatchewan CFL legend George Reed, who attended the first day of camp as a special guest, puts the weather challenges in perspective. “In my day, we practiced in every condition imaginable, often worse than this,” Reed recalls. “The teams that embraced the elements built character that showed up in November when it mattered most.”
The forecast for the remainder of training camp shows typical prairie variability—sunny periods interspersed with thunderstorm potential and shifting winds. Rather than hoping for perfect conditions, Coach Mace’s staff has built contingency plans for every scenario.
“We’ve got alternative practice plans based on what Mother Nature gives us,” Mace explains. “If it’s pouring, we focus on certain aspects of our game that need work regardless. If it’s windy, we adapt our passing game accordingly. Our season will have these exact challenges, so why not face them now?”
As practice concludes under gathering clouds, the resilience of both team and fans feels quintessentially Saskatchewan. Players sign autographs for rain-soaked supporters while equipment managers rush to collect gear before another downpour begins.
For a team hoping to improve on last season’s playoff appearance, these challenging conditions may prove to be the perfect training ground. As the Roughriders prepare for their first pre-season game, the question remains whether their weather-tested preparations will translate to early-season success.
“In the end, football comes down to execution regardless of conditions,” Harris says before jogging toward the locker room. “When the season kicks off, no one’s going to care whether we practiced in sunshine or thunderstorms. They’ll only care if we win.”
