Laryssa Biesenthal, 33, has been named Rowing Canada's full-time Assistant National Team coach.
A two-time Olympian, Biesenthal, originally from Walkerton, Ont., will work out of both the Victoria and London Training Centres.
"Laryssa has been an outstanding competitor over the years, winning several medals at the Olympics and World Championships. She brings that excellence to her coaching role and has already made a significant contribution to the National Team as a coach over the last two seasons," said RCA's High Performance Director, Alan Roaf. "RCA is delighted to have her in a full-time position leading up to the Beijing Olympics."
Last year, Biesenthal was the coach of the lightweight women's double that finished first at the Lucerne World Cup, and eighth at the Olympics in Athens. Previously, she coached the 2003 Pan Am rowing team and other development crews.
Biesenthal lives in Victoria, B.C. with her husband, Iain Brambell - also an accomplished rower.