2023 Canadian Rowing Hall of Fame Inductions

Rowing Canada Aviron is pleased to announce the 2023 inductees to the Canadian Rowing Hall of Fame. RCA recognizes and celebrates the accomplishments of Canadian rowers at the highest levels of the sport, and those whose efforts have contributed directly to those results. Eight outstanding individuals have been selected by RCA’s Hall of Fame committee and are being recognized for their contributions to our sport, as athletes and builders.

Athlete: Derek Porter
A World Champion, 3-time Olympian, and Olympic gold and silver medalist, Derek Porter had a legendary rowing career. Porter achieved swift success in the men’s single by winning gold at the 1993 World Rowing Championships in the Czech Republic followed by an Olympic silver medal at the 1996 Summer Olympic Games in Atlanta, USA. Derek was previously inducted into the Canadian Rowing Hall of Fame as the stroke of the 1992 Olympic gold medal men’s eight.

Athlete: Lesley Thompson-Willie
Lesley had a remarkable rowing career spanning over 36 years with 8 Olympic and 19 World Championship appearances. In that time, Lesley won 5 Olympic Medals (1 gold, 3 silver, & 1 bronze) and 10 World Championship medals thus establishing herself as one of the most revered coxswains in the world. She was also inducted into the Canadian Rowing Hall of Fame as a member of the 1992 women’s gold medal eight crew as well as the Canadian Olympic Hall of Fame in 1994. 

Crew: 1964 Olympic Gold Medal Pair (Roger Jackson and George Hungerford)
Fate threw these two talented rowers together to compete at the 1964 Tokyo Olympic Games. This last-minute pairing resulted in Canada’s only gold medal at these Olympic Games. Both Roger and George were inducted into Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame as well as awarded the Lou Marsh Trophy.

Crew: 1997/98 Women’s Pair World Champions (Emma Robinson and Alison Korn)
Emma and Alison achieved rowing excellence by winning back-to-back World Championships in the women’s pair, while also doubling up at the same regattas to anchor the women’s coxed eight to two podium finishes – silver and bronze. Both Emma and Alison are two-time Olympians, competing in the 1996 and 2000 Olympic Games, winning silver and bronze respectively.

Builder: Jean-Christophe (JC) Marly
JC Marly has been committed to creating an inclusive rowing community experience in Toronto for over twenty years. The culmination of his efforts has been the construction of new facilities at the Hanlan Boat Club. His vision and dedication to the sport of rowing have had a lasting impact on innumerable athletes of all ages.

Builder: Nancy Storrs (Posthumously)
Beyond an amazing athletic career, Nancy Storrs was instrumental in launching masters rowing in Canada in the 1980s. Nancy organized the Ontario Ergometer Championships for over 30 years, helping the event grow to be a major indoor championship. Nancy also became the voice and familiar face of the Royal Canadian Henley Regatta in 1987. Her outstanding contributions to rowing have earned her several athletic, coaching, and volunteer accolades throughout her career including an induction into the US Rowing Hall of Fame in 1991.

RCA congratulates all of the 2023 Canadian Rowing Hall of Fame inductees and looks forward to celebrating their accomplishments in the Canadian rowing community this year.  

Canadian Rowing Hall of Fame