Forty-seven enthusiastic athletes from 11 different clubs converged on the John M.S. Lecky UBC Boathouse…
Over the past month, Rowing BC has been celebrating our Annual Award winners on our social media platforms and at in-person events at local rowing clubs. These awards exist to ensure that members of the BC rowing community are recognized annually for what they give to the sport and/or what they have recently accomplished.
Find out more below about each of the 2025 Rowing BC Annual Award recipients in the five award categories:
- Umpire of the Year
- Club Coach of the Year
- Athlete of the Year
- Performance Coach of the Year
- Outstanding Volunteer(s) of the Year
Umpire of the Year
The 2025 Rowing BC Umpire of the Year Award goes to Veronika Pasovska Peacock.
In addition to volunteering at an average of 17 regatta days each year in BC, Veronika has also made herself available to serve at multiple USRA regattas. In 2025 she took the next step on the Umpire Pathway, becoming an Assistant Chief Umpire. Beyond fulfilling these responsibilities, Veronika is an excellent example when it comes to making the umpire community a positive one to be part of, and is a role model for other up-and-coming umpires.
Congratulations, Veronika!
Club Coach of the Year
The 2025 Rowing BC Club Coach of the Year goes to Jordan Henderson of the Vancouver Rowing Club/UBC Rowing.
Jordan brought his 14+ years of rowing experience with him from the UK to Canada. He co-leads the Junior program at the Vancouver Rowing Club as well as helps to design training programs for their Masters athletes. Jordan is also the Assistant Coach for the UBC Men’s Rowing program. Jordan was invited to coach the RCA PR3 Mixed 4+ in their preparations for the Royal Canadian Henley Regatta and subsequent World Championships Regatta. Jordan’s athletes speak highly of his leadership.
Congratulations, Jordan!
Athlete of the Year
The 2025 Rowing BC Athlete of the Year Award goes to Ciana Della Siega and Novella Rusman.
Representing rival rowing clubs during the Juniors years, these two athletes came together to represent Canada in the Women’s 2- at the 2025 U19 World Championships Regatta in Lithuania. Their dedication to training and commitment to performance culminated in a Bronze medal! Rowing BC’s Director of Performance, Terry Paul, had the pleasure of presenting Ciana and Novella with their awards in-person during an event held at Brentwood School.
Congratulations, Ciana and Novella!
Performance Coach of the Year
The 2025 Rowing BC Performance Coach of the Year goes to David Calder from Brentwood College School Rowing.
David completed his RCA Performance Coach certification in the last year. In the 2025 season, his program won 9 titles at the Canadian Secondary School Rowing Association Regatta. Over the Summer, he was selected as one of the coaches to support RCA’s U19 World Rowing Championships Team. His Women’s 2- returned from the regatta as the proud winners of a Bronze medal! His athletes speak highly of the experience, passion and wisdom that he brings to his coaching approach.
Congratulations, David!
Outstanding Volunteer(s) of the Year
In the category of Outstanding Volunteer(s) of the Year, Rowing BC accepts nominations from anyone in the rowing community. We know that the volunteers who tirelessly put in time behind the scenes to make clubs and events run smoothly are integral to our sport, and that not all local rowing organizations have an awards opportunity in which to pause and recognize these key individuals. This year, 21 Outstanding Volunteers have been selected to receive recognition through the 2025 Rowing BC Outstanding Volunteer of the Year Award.
- Lisa Atkinson – Thunder Rowing
- Charmaine Bastian – False Creek Rowing Club
- Tobi Blue – Victoria City Rowing Club
- Carol Boelik – Maple Bay Rowing Club
- Melissa Bryden – Vancouver Rowing Club
- Gary Cline – Maple Bay Rowing Club
- Holly Crosby – UVIC Coastal Rowing
- Alex Cruickshanks – Kelowna Rowing Club
- Sandra Franke – Thunder Rowing
- Ian Graeme – OARCA Coastal Rowing
- Samantha Heron – Victoria
- York Langerfeld – UVIC Coastal Rowing
- Chelsea Martorella – Thunder Rowing
- Carol Paterson – Victoria City Rowing Club
- Amanda Pomphrey – Greater Victoria Youth Rowing Society
- Kerry Smith – Victoria City Rowing Club
- Brenda Taylor – OARCA Coastal Rowing
- Ron Westfall – Deep Cove Rowing Club
- Marla Weston – OARCA Coastal Rowing
- Kathy Wilkins – Thunder Rowing
- Paxtyn Williams – Deep Cove Rowing Club
Each of these individuals have given substantially of their time, in most cases over many years, to the needs of their local and the provincial rowing community. They have been involved as regatta chairs, event volunteers, Board members, coaches, equipment repair people, and mentors, in addition to other roles. Many of the nominations included the sentiment that these are the type of people every club wishes to have!
Congratulations to all of the 2025 Rowing BC Annual Award Recipients!
See past recipients of Rowing BC’s Annual Awards (and access additional external award opportunities) HERE.
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