This past weekend marked an impressive chapter for Canadian rowing. Competing at the FISU World University Rowing Championships in Rotterdam and the Henley Royal Regatta in Henley-on-Thames, Canadian crews achieved remarkable success, demonstrating their prowess against a backdrop of fierce international competition and challenging conditions. 

In Rotterdam, five Canadian crews earned podium finishes, navigating strong tailwinds to secure their places at the forefront of the field.  

The Women’s Pair, featuring Sally Jones and Eliza Dawson, won with a 6.35-second lead over Austria and Lithuania. The Men’s Four, with Julian Black, Axel Ewashko, Sam Stewart, and Aidan Della Siega, earned silver after a close race with Italy, while Poland took bronze. Giancarlo Di Pompeo led the Light Men’s Single until Italy’s strong finish secured them gold, with Canada taking silver and the Netherlands bronze. 

The Women’s Eight, including Gabriella Diaz, Gabrielle Yarema, Gabriella Worobec, Rachel Weber, Ceilidh MacDonald, Gabrielle Kieser, Jacqueline Blunt, Danica Ariano, and Mikaela Holthuis, secured bronze in a tight race against Italy who took silver and the USA taking gold. In the Lightweight Men’s Double, Connor Dodds and Charles Etienne Tabet claimed bronze. 

Additional notable performances included the Men’s Eight finishing 4th, the Lightweight Women’s Double placing 5th, and the Women’s Lightweight Single ending in 6th. Catherine Chénier-Gagnon (McGill) finished 9th overall in the Women’s Single in her first international event. 

View FISU World University Rowing Championships race video and results HERE. 

FISU Canadian Team Roster

At the prestigious Henley Royal Regatta, Canadian crews continued to excel in dual-style racing. The Canadian Women’s Four, composed of Piper Battersby, Lea Till, Shaye dePavia, and Morgan Rosts, triumphed over the Leander Boat Club ‘A Boat’ to win the Town Challenge Cup. 

In another highlight, the Women’s Quad, featuring Shannon Kennedy, Grace Van den Broek, Marilou Duvernay-Tardif, and Katie Clark, claimed victory in the Princess Grace Challenge Cup. They outpaced the quad from Lausanne-Sports Aviron, Switzerland/Shawnigan Lake School, Canada. Notably, the boat they beat included Carling Zeeman, a two-time Canadian Olympian. It was a unique and exciting race, as some of the Canadian team members had recently competed alongside Zeeman at the Final Olympic and Paralympic Qualification Regatta, adding an interesting dynamic to the competition. 

The Women’s Pair of Alexis Cronk and Kristen Edwards put up a strong fight but were narrowly beaten in the final by Club France. Overall, Canada had seven boats competing at the Henley Royal Regatta under Canadian clubs, each demonstrating commendable performances and contributing to a weekend of notable achievements. Additionally, many Canadians competing for other countries also found success, with several athletes earning top finishes, further highlighting the global impact of Canadian rowing talent.

National Training Centre Coach, Dane Lawson, speaks to the importance of exposure to high quality racing and how the Henley Royal Regatta provides just that. “Crews were tested against strong competition, challenging conditions, and the pressure of racing with close spectators and cameras broadcasting all over the world. The crews did a great job sticking to their racing process and this should be a really positive experience and a stepping stone towards future international performances.” 

View Henley Royal Regatta results HERE. 
View Henley Royal Regatta race video HERE.  

Henley Royal Regatta Canadian Team Roster

-30-

For more information:

Colleen Coderre
RCA Communications Lead
comm@rowingcanada.org

Susanne Wereley
RCA Communications Manager
s.wereley@rowingcanada.org