Simon Fraser University Rowing Club - SFU Rowing

☀️ SUMMER RACING RECAP: Lap The Lake 2026 ☀️

A small group of SFU Rowing athletes took on Swan Lake this past June at the Lap the Lake Regatta in Vernon, BC! 🌊🚣‍♀️

Hosted by Vernon Rowing and Dragon Boat Club, the 3.5 km head race saw SFU athletes take home two podium finishes:

🥈 Mixed 4x | D. Gladwell, J. San Martin, A. Vincalek & K. Ceholski | 17:15.44
🥉 Women’s Open 1x | A. Tereshchenko | 20:36.00

Congratulations to all of our athletes on a strong day of racing! 👏

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Two new shells. Two lasting legacies. 🚣

SFU Rowing is proud to welcome two new 8+ shells to our fleet, generously donated by UBC Men’s Rowing Head Coach Mike Pearce and UBC Women’s Rowing Head Coach Craig Pond.

In recognition of their incredible contributions to our program, the men’s 8+ has been named The Mike Pearce Legacy, while the women’s 8+ has been named The Craig Pond Legacy.

Yesterday, we celebrated this incredible donation with a boat christening during the BC Provincial Championships, surrounded by athletes from all three programs and members of the Rowing BC community.

This is a transformational donation for SFU Rowing. These boats will help strengthen our program, support our continued growth, and solidify our competitiveness as we build toward the future.

But this donation represents more than two boats. It is a testament to the strength of the rowing community in British Columbia and the power of programs supporting one another. By building stronger relationships between rowing programs across the province, we are helping grow the sport and create more opportunities for athletes to thrive.

Thank you, Mike and Craig, for your incredible generosity and belief in the future of SFU Rowing. We are proud to carry your legacies forward.

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🎓 Congratulations to Allison Hill on graduating today with a Bachelor of Business Administration in Sustainable Business from SFU’s Beedie School of Business and Faculty of Environment!

Over four years as a coxswain with SFU Rowing, Allison helped guide countless crews and played a significant role in shaping the team’s culture and growth. In addition to her time on the water, she served as the club’s President for two years and Social Media Coordinator for three years, helping lead the program through an important chapter in its history.

Her favourite memory came at the Canadian University Rowing Championships in Montreal this past fall, where the women’s 8+ crew achieved a massive personal best performance.

This fall, Allison will continue her academic and athletic journey at Seattle University, pursuing an MBA in Sport & Entertainment Management while coxing for the NCAA Division I women’s rowing team.

Congratulations, Allison, and best of luck as you take the next step both in the classroom and on the water! ❤️🍁

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🎓 Congratulations to Emma Kingsland on graduating today with a Bachelor of Environment in Resource & Environmental Management & Biology from SFU’s Faculty of Environment!

Over three seasons with SFU Rowing, Emma was a dedicated teammate, competitor, and leader. She served on the club’s executive board throughout her entire time with the team as both a Fundraising Coordinator and Director-at-Large, helping strengthen the program both on and off the water.

Her favourite memory came in 2025 when the women’s 8+ crew captured first place at Head of the Fort - a testament to the hard work, commitment, and camaraderie of that boat.

Following graduation, Emma plans to become a Registered Professional Biologist through the College of Applied Biologists and pursue a career in wetland restoration.

Congratulations, Emma, and best wishes as you keep saving the beavers! ❤️🦫

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TOP OARSWOMAN 🏆🚣‍♀️

Rachel’s impact on our program this season was nothing short of transformative.

Returning to SFU with a wealth of experience from her time at UVic, she immediately elevated the technical standard of our crews and helped push us forward on the water. Her work ethic and competitiveness set the tone in every session, but what truly sets Rachel apart is her commitment to everyone around her.

From offering technical guidance to lifting teammates through the toughest training blocks, she consistently put the team first. Her leadership made her a natural captain, fostering a culture of accountability, growth, and support across the entire program.

We’re incredibly grateful for the experience, passion, and leadership she brought back to SFU ❤️

Congratulations to our 2025-26 Top Oarswoman, Rachel! 👏

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TOP OARSMAN 🏆🚣‍♂️

Joel set the standard for excellence from day one.

This award recognizes the most outstanding male rower on the team, and Joel’s dedication, consistency, and performance made him a clear choice. Throughout the fall season, competing against top Canadian university programs, he established a level that pushed the entire men’s squad forward.

His commitment was especially evident on the erg. Session after session, Joel showed what it means to fully buy into the process. He arrived ready to work, embraced every challenge, and continually raised the bar for those around him.

His determination and competitive mindset drove the men’s program throughout the fall racing season and laid the foundation for the progress we’ve seen all year.

Congratulations to our 2025-26 Top Oarsman, Joel! 👏

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TOP FEMALE NOVICE 🏆🚣‍♀️

Congratulations to our Top Female Novice, Amanda Morill! 👏

Amanda took on a huge challenge stepping in as a novice coxswain and immediately made an impact.

She showed confidence from the start, asked questions, and picked things up quickly. Amanda consistently came to practice prepared with her own plans and ideas, showing a level of initiative that elevated her crews.

An exceptional addition to the team from day one.

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TOP MALE NOVICE 🏆🚣‍♂️

Congratulations to our Top Male Novice, Sam Stringer! 👏

From day one, Sam stood out for his attentiveness and work ethic. He was always asking questions, putting in extra effort, and staying after practice to help clean up and look for ways to improve.

An all around great athlete and an exceptional teammate, Sam consistently supported those around him, always cheering others on and pushing everyone to be their best.

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THE HILL PRESIDENCY AWARD 🏆🚣‍♀️

This year, the coaching staff wanted to introduce a new award to recognize something incredibly important to the success of this program, leadership that happens quietly, consistently, and often behind the scenes.

The Hill Presidency Award will not necessarily be presented every year. It is reserved for individuals who go above and beyond during their time with the program. Those whose leadership, dedication, and commitment help keep the team moving forward in ways that are not always visible or publicly recognized. These are the people who make a lasting impact simply because they care deeply about this team.

This year’s inaugural recipient is someone who truly embodies everything this award represents, Allison Hill.

Over the past two years, Allison has served as President of the club and supported this program in countless ways. A tremendous amount of work happens behind the scenes to keep a team running, from organization and communication to problem solving and ensuring everything stays on track, and Allison has been at the center of it all.

On a daily level, she has been an invaluable support to the coaching staff. She is the person who helps keep things organized, follows up when needed, and consistently steps in without hesitation whenever support is required. More often than not, she takes initiative before being asked. Allison continually goes far beyond what is expected, not for recognition, but because she is deeply committed to the success of this team.

She has consistently shown up with care, dedication, and an unwavering commitment to doing what is best for the program. Quite simply, this program would not be where it is today without her leadership.

It is an absolute privilege to recognize the inaugural recipient of the Hill Presidency Award, Allison Hill. 👏

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STRATFORD LEADERSHIP 🏆🚣‍♀️

Rachel exemplifies what it means to lead with purpose.

The Stratford Leadership Award honors individuals who inspire those around them, named in recognition of Meaghan Stratford’s lasting impact on this team. This award recognizes an athlete who uplifts others, leads by example, and strengthens team culture through their actions every day.

Rachel went above and beyond in her leadership role this season. She consistently supported coaches, helped organize training opportunities, and encouraged teammates to take full advantage of additional sessions. Her commitment to the program extended far beyond her own performance.

What truly sets her apart is how she lifts those around her. Rachel constantly pushes her teammates to improve while making sure they feel supported in the process. Regardless of lineup or circumstance, she stayed positive, encouraging, and focused on team success.

Her leadership, energy, and dedication have had a lasting impact on our culture, and we are incredibly fortunate to have her in our program.

Congratulations to our 2025-26 Stratford Leadership Award recipient, Rachel! 👏

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