In a significant development for the Saskatchewan rowing community, John Wetzstein, a distinguished national team coach with Rowing Canada Aviron (RCA), has accepted the role of Sport Technical Director and High Performance Coach with the Saskatchewan Rowing Association. This marks a homecoming for Wetzstein, who with his elite coaching knowledge, is set to play a crucial role in shaping the future of rowing in his home province.

Amanda Billesberger, President of the Saskatchewan Rowing Association, expressed her enthusiasm for John’s appointment.

“We are pleased to welcome John as our new Sport Technical Director and High Performance Coach. John’s wealth of knowledge and the expertise that he will share with our coaches and rowers is outstanding,” Billesberger said. “His return to Saskatchewan is an exciting homecoming for John and SaskRowing. We look forward to the continued growth of our program under John’s leadership.”

Wetzstein has been involved with the Canadian National Team program for the past decade, including leading the crew that captured Canada’s first Paralympic rowing medal at the Rio 2016 Games and most recently as the coach of the Men’s Sculling program.

“I have mixed feelings about leaving my current role. There are colleagues and athletes that I have enjoyed working with so very much and there is sadness around that. But it is also true that in a real way I’m not actually leaving Rowing Canada Aviron. I’ll be working to help athletes and coaches in Saskatchewan do more, be better, reach levels of excellence that will benefit the Canadian rowing community,” Wetzstein shared. “My friends and colleagues in the National Team program are still my friends and colleagues and I’m looking forward to being back in Saskatchewan and to bring what I’ve learned with me to grow the sport and develop both athletes and coaches alike.”

RCA High Performance Director Adam Parfitt thanked John for his passion and dedication over the past years and is looking forward to seeing the results John will have with the emerging Saskatchewan rowers.

“On behalf of RCA and our National Team coaches and athletes, I thank John for his hard work, passion and determination to help our nation’s elite rowers over the past decade,” Parfitt shared. “I have no doubt that John’s wealth of experience and passion for helping athletes will inspire and elevate the rowing community in Saskatchewan. We are excited to see the positive influence he will have on the development of both coaches and athletes as he returns to his home province. We wish him all the best.”