Team Canada wrapped up three days of racing at the 2026 FISU World University Rowing Championships on Saturday, with Canadian crews putting two boats on the podium and several others finishing within striking distance of the medals on Fanshawe Lake.

Held August 13-15 in London, Ontario, the championships brought together approximately 300 student-athletes from more than 20 countries for three days of international university rowing. The event marked the first time the FISU World University Rowing Championships have been held in Canada.

The highlight of the Canadian campaign came in the men’s double, where Keithan Woodhouse (St. Catharines Rowing Club) and Charles-Étienne Tabet (Club d’Aviron Boucherville) raced to gold in a time of 6:38.56.

The Brock University duo came into the championships with previous international experience and set the tone early, winning their heat on the opening day. They carried that momentum through to the final, where they secured the FISU title on home water.

“This is a truly special moment for both of us that was a long time in the making! We went in with the intent of having a strong race and being happy with the performance rather than the just the result. We executed the plan to the letter and laid everything we had on the water. The gold was a huge bonus!”

For Charles-Étienne, the result was also an added reflection of the work that went into reaching the championships.

“I’m really proud of the work we’ve done this summer and all the effort we put in leading up to the FISU World University Championships. The results are a great testament to the hours we spent on the water with the support of our coaches. It’s a moment I’ll never forget, and one I’ll be proud of for the rest of my life.”

Canada added a second podium finish in the men’s four, which battled to bronze in its final. For Western University’s Oliver Baker (North Star Rowing Club), the race carried an added significance as he returned to a familiar stretch of water at Fanshawe Lake.

“It was one of the hardest and most exciting races of my career. We executed a lot of the fundamentals that we learned this summer and went out as fast as we could. At the starting gate, I smiled a bit knowing that this was my home course and a bit of familiarity that settled the nerves.”

That familiarity helped settle the nerves, but the significance of the moment only grew as the crew crossed the finish line.

“Coming through that line as I have so many times before, I was thrilled,” said Baker. “I’m reminded of why I do this sport. Every practice session, every early morning, all the travelling, it’s all worth it for this feeling. I’m proud of our crew and can’t wait for what’s next.”

While the men’s double and men’s four provided Canada’s two podium finishes, several Canadian crews came close to adding to the medal tally.

Among the tightest finishes came in the women’s single and women’s pair, with both Canadian crews finishing fourth and narrowly missing the podium. The women’s single crossed the line just 0.79 seconds out of the medals, while the women’s pair finished 0.81 seconds behind bronze. After hard-fought races from start to finish, both crews came away with plenty to be proud of in the way they raced.

For Gabby Yarema (Western University/UBC/Calgary Rowing Club), the women’s single final marked the end of her university rowing career, and a return to a course that has been part of her rowing journey from the beginning. Despite finishing just 0.79 seconds off the podium, Yarema was proud of the race she put together.

“I’m really happy with the race I put down today. I learned something new each race leading up to the final and I was able to put it all together into something really special that I’m proud of! It was just that much better that I got to have this race on Fanshawe, which is like a home to me. I’m so grateful I got to have this full circle moment and finish my university rowing career where it started six years ago. I’m looking forward to what’s next!”

The results on the water were only one part of the Canadian team’s experience in London. With athletes arriving from programs across the country and different training environments, bringing the group together for the championship regatta was a collaborative effort.

Coach Christine Wilson highlighted the sense of connection that developed across the team leading into the FISU World Rowing University Championships.

“There was a tremendous and collaborative effort across the team, and the athletes were all rooting for each other in every race that came down the course. While crews were based in Montreal, St. Catharines, Vancouver, and at the National Training Centre, the team felt joined up thanks to the university affiliations in play and mutual respect between the coaches.”

That sense of cohesion carried through the three days of racing, with athletes supporting one another from the dock and cheering on their teammates throughout the regatta.

With gold in the men’s double, bronze in the men’s four and plenty of tight racing, Team Canada leaves London with a pair of podium finishes and several crews having pushed deep into the international field.

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