The NEW Oxford Shell kit by Chesapeake Light Craft 

John D bicycle mirrors might work

This comment is about 4 years late but hopefully it finds you or another well. I rowed competitively in high school at a pretty decent club. Aside from a few invitationals and scrimmages all of our events were under the authority of USRowing. Races were divided by boat type (1x, 2x, 2+, 8+ et.c). For each category of boat, minimum weight standards are set, if a boat was under weight at weigh in additional weight would be added, usually in the form of weighted sandbags. If you wanted to row a more stable boat in your event, that usually comes at the cost of weight. I've never heard of a boat being turned away because it was a recreational shell in a racing event, however there are other equipment rules and regulations that may disqualify a boat from competition. If you want to learn more I'd suggest looking at the most recent publication of USRowing's "Rules of Rowing".

I don't think they'll make a Boys in the Boat movie but I'd watch!

Aged poorly 😊

Yes, we ship to Canada. You can order the kit here: www.clcboats.com/shop/boats/rowboats/oxford-rowing-shell-II-wooden-boat-kit.html