1. What inspired you to go to your first rowing practice; was there anything memorable about it?
I decided to go to my first rowing practice after meeting the Brock University head coach, Peter Somerwil, on one of the orientation days at the university. I knew I wanted to continue with sports when I would get to school that fall and wasn't set on one of my prior sports, and to be honest I didn't expect I would be varsity level either. One professor said I should look into rowing and when I got to Peter's office he spent a couple hours talking to me about it and showing me the facilities on campus. When my parents and I decided to head home he drove by us on the highway with a sign he had wrote up saying 'follow me to the rowing course'. It was pretty wild of him but it worked. We saw Henley Island, I met some of the lightweight guys that were out practicing and the environment left it's mark because come September I was quick to sign up for the novice rowing team.
2. Was there a practice, race or other event when you fell in love with the sport, or when you knew you might not be too bad at rowing? When you thought you could make the national team?
I fell in love with rowing the first time we did a power 10 burst in the novice 8. I was sitting in stroke seat and I remember it was the first time all our blades were off the water, the sensation of the boat picking up speed was euphoric. I figured I wasn't going to be too bad at the sport after pulling my first 2k a couple of days after first seeing an erg. Totally ignorant to what any of the screen numbers meant, some varsity guys and my coach were impressed and I took it as a good sign. When I began rowing I got selected as a talent identified athlete and as long as I stayed that way, I was exposed to supplemental coaching and training. After a few months of seeing massive improvement I figured I could aim higher than the varsity level if I was willing to keep putting in the work. After being exposed to the training center environment in my first year of U23s in 2012 I had the desire to commit to getting more out of myself to get to the top level.
3. Best race/practice, worst race/practice?
Though there are a few I could think of and choose from, I would say a best race for me might be the 2011 Canadian University Championships men's 8+ final. It was my first varsity season and the race never seemed to be separated more than a seat or two which was such an exciting feeling. Winning also helped. One of my worst races would have to be the Essen international regatta in 2015. It was my first race in the 4 with these guys, we had a foreign boat that never felt rigged right, and I was still figuring out starboard side. The wind and waves were ridiculous and the whole race felt so dissatisfying. Not a great start to my national team career but highly motivating to not replicate.
4. Best/Anything you've done in the sport no one knows about?
I once did a 2k erg test forgetting to set my damper. I don't think I'd ever rated over a 30 at that point for a 2k before that. It was set up for the lightweight girls and ended up rating 6 beats higher than I would have imagined not ever feeling like I had any traction on the chain. Didn't realize why until it was over. I didn't want to share that with anyone because I found it embarrassing at the time.
5. Any/Most important advice for young rowers?
There is huge satisfaction in giving it your all. Realize your potential.
Date Of Birth: Feb 7, 1992
Coach: Martin Mcelroy
Height: 203 cm
Weight: 104 kg
Hometown: Thedford, ON
Current Club: St. Catharines Rowing Club
First experience of rowing: Rowing in a novice eight at Brock University. I just remember thinking that the motion felt so unnatural and it was way harder to be set then what was expected. It was awesome.
First success in a boat (or erg): I went 6:32 on a 2k in the first week of rowing, nothing impressive but I just like the memory because I had no idea what I was doing or what any of the numbers meant.
Favourite rowing destination: Trakai, Lithuania
Year first rowed: 2010
First rowed at: Brock University, Row to Podium
First Coach: Paul Beedling
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