Welcome to Rowing British Columbia
Rowing BC is the Provincial governing body for the sport of rowing in British Columbia. As a non-profit organization, 4,500+ participants within the BC rowing community benefit from Rowing BC’s services.
Rowing BC acknowledges that work in our offices takes place on the unceded, traditional territory of the Musqueam, Squamish, and Tsleil-Waututh Nations, and also within the traditional territories of the of the Lək̓wəŋən peoples known today as Songhees and Esquimalt Nations and the W̱SÁNEĆ peoples known today as W̱JOȽEȽP (Tsartlip), BOḰEĆEN (Pauquachin), SȾÁUTW̱ (Tsawout), W̱SIḴEM (Tseycum) and MÁLEXEȽ (Malahat) Nations.
Vision
Leadership through rowing.
Mission
All British Columbians can discover, pursue and enjoy the sport of rowing.
Values
Excellence: Rowing BC aims to improve all that we do and to exceed the expectations of our membership.
Integrity: Rowing BC is accountable and adheres to high ethical and professional standards with all decision making. This also includes valuing transparency – disclosing information, opportunities and decisions in a clear, open and accessible manner.
Innovation: Rowing BC creates, develops and implements new strategies to deal with community needs in addition to relying on the wisdom of best established and promising new practices.
Inclusivity: Rowing BC creates an environment in which every individual is welcomed, respected and supported including specific emphasis on valuing diversity in individuals and thought, and prioritizing equitable opportunities.
Respect: All of Rowing BC’s actions are undertaken with due regard for the feelings, wishes, rights and/or traditions of others.
High Performance Definition
Rowing BC defines High Performance by (1) the number of medals won at the Canada Summer Games, (2) the number of BC-based athletes and coaches transitioning to National Team Programs, and (3) the number of medals won at the Olympic and Paralympic Games by BC athletes and coaches. High Performance is also an attitude and approach to every task that staff and volunteers representing this organization wish to exhibit.
Diversity and Inclusion
Rowing in BC has long led Canada in terms of diversity and inclusion.
- Born in Alert Bay, BC, 1956 Olympic silver medallist Carl Ogawa was the first Asian-Canadian Olympian/Olympic medallist.
- From the Vancouver Rowing Club’s launch of the first Canadian women’s rowing program in 1971 and the launch of the UBC’s women’s program in 1976, and with ground-breaking BC athletes like Tricia Smith followed by Silken Laumann, Marnie McBean and Kathleen Heddle along with coaches like Al Morrow, Rowing BC has been a key player in balancing the boat for women’s participation in sport. According to Rowing Canada, “Starting in 1977, Canadian women’s crews initiated a series of medal wins unparalleled in the western world.”
- Vancouver Rowing Club programs introduced Deaf Sport athletes to learn-to-row programs in 1979.
- As of 2018, Para rowing is included in all regattas held in BC.