Rowing Canada Aviron (RCA) is proudly sending 17 emerging rowers to compete at the Pan AM qualification regatta in Santiago, Chile from April 15-19, 2023.

The objective of the qualification regatta is to solidify the nation’s berths for the 2023 Pan American Games on October 20 – November 2, 2023 in Santiago, Chile.

RCA is aiming to qualify nine boats at the qualification regatta including: Men’s and Women’s sculling singles, doubles and quads, Women’s sweep pair and four, Men’s sweep pair and Men’s Lightweight double. 

With a possibility of fielding two additional Men’s sweep athletes to race the four at the qualification regatta. 

NextGen Program Lead Chuck McDiarmid is thrilled for the opportunity these selected rowers will have to compete and earn qualification for Canada.

“We’ve selected an exciting group of 17 rowers to compete at the Pan AM qualification regatta next month,” McDiarmid said. 

“For these emerging rowers, the qualification regatta will be an opportunity to represent their nation against some of the best rowers in the Americas and secure Canada’s position for the Games later this year in Chile.

“The Pan AM Games have proved to be an important milestone in many of the careers of our nation’s elite rowers and this qualification regatta is the first stepping stone in this important journey for our athletes. I know everyone will be giving it their all at the regatta and competing proudly for Canada.”

The Canadian roster includes 2022 Tony Zasada award winner Alizée Brien and World U23 Championship team members Shaye de Paiva (Calgary Rowing/Queen’s University), Michael Ciepiela (St. Catharines Rowing Club/Brock University), Connor Attridge (University of Victoria) and Andrew Hubbard (Calgary Rowing/Queen’s University). Also making the team is RCB Training Ground discovered athlete Kristen Siermachesky (Brockville Rowing Club / BC NextGen Performance Centre).

The team will be supported by coaches Joe Rochon, Katie Bahain-Steenman and Greg Szybka, joined by RCA sport therapist Kaity Szabo.

2023 Pan AM Qualification Regatta team: 

• Connor Attridge – University of Victoria (British Columbia)
• Alizée Brien – Montreal Rowing Club (Quebec)
• Michael Ciepiela – Brock Rowing (Ontario)
• Emerson Crick – University of British Columbia (Nova Scotia)
• Nicole Cusack – University of Victoria (British Columbia)
• Shaye De Paiva – Queens University / Calgary Rowing Club (Alberta)
• Giancarlo DiPompeo – University of Victoria (British Columbia)
• Kendra Hartley – Calgary Rowing Club (Alberta)
• Andrew Hubbard – Queens University / Calgary Rowing Club (Alberta)
• Kerin Hudson – Ottawa Rowing Club (Ontario)
• Claire Kendall – University of Toronto (Ontario)
• Victor Lefebvre – University of Victoria / Aviron Knowlton (Quebec)
• Kailani Marchak – Victoria City Rowing Club (British Columbia)
• Olivia McMurray – Calgary Rowing Club (Alberta)
• Gunnar Platt – Shawnigan Lake School / BC NextGen Performance Centre (British Columbia)
• Kristen Siermachesky – Brockville Rowing Club / BC NextGen Performance Centre (Ontario)
• Shane Willis – Peterborough Rowing Club / BC NextGen Performance Centre (Ontario)

Similar to Olympic qualification, Canada will qualify the boat and number of seats at this regatta. The Pan American team selection event for athletes will be held later in the year. 

The 2023 Pan American Games will be held in Santiago, Chile from October 20 – November 5. This will be the first Pan American Games held in Chile and will welcome competitors from 41 nations to the country to compete in 39 sports. 

Click for more information about the 2023 Pan American Games.