Wrapping up a week of excitement at the Invictus Games 

Wrapping up a week of excitement at the Invictus Games

From February 8-16, 2025 a combination of venues in Vancouver and Whistler hosted the Invictus Games. The purpose of these Games was to deliver a world-class event and, through the power of the Invictus Games, inspire recovery, support rehabilitation, and generate a wider understanding and respect for those who serve their country. The 2025 Invictus Games had more than 500 competitors from 23 nations in attendance. More than 50 of those competitors were Canadians.

Indoor Rowing was one of the 11 sports included in the Games. With seven categories, competitors with a very wide range of abilities found meaningful competition in this event format. Within each of those categories, there were 1 min (sprint) and 4 min (endurance) events offered. 

Racing took place on Sunday, February 16th in the Vancouver Convention Center West. With 40 brand new Concept 2 ergs set up on the race floor, two giant screens to display live footage of the competitors, and strategically timed pump up music, this was an excellent set up for competitors and spectators alike. The rowing community was well-represented in the stands as spectators, on the race floor as volunteers, and behind the timing and results table. In attendance in various roles were rowing community members and past Olympians and Paralympians from Delta Deas Rowing Club, False Creek Rowing Club, Inlet Rowing Club, Rowing BC, Rowing Canada Aviron, Salt Spring Island Rowing Club, St. Michael’s University School Rowing, and Vancouver Rowing Club. Also in attendance was Canada’s most recent Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, as well as Prince Harry. 

In preparation for the Games, Lisa Tschannen (Rowing BC) and Julie Stevens (Delta Deas Rowing Club), had the opportunity to support all of Team Canada’s indoor rowing competitors during an Invictus Games training camp that took place in Richmond, BC. During this camp, Julie made a connection with Quebec athlete, Janie Duguay, and continued to provide her with virtual coaching up until the Games. This partnership paid off with a gold medal in the Four Minute Endurance Race and silver medal in the One Minute Endurance race for Janie! She was additionally recognized as the “Canadian Tire Moment of the Day” – a great end to an intense day of racing. Full results for the indoor rowing competition can be found HERE.

As a legacy of the Games, Rowing BC has been able to sell discounted new and used ergs to local rowing organizations and individuals across the province. The end result is that more than 50 ergs are now being used across the rowing community that weren’t here before!

Just down the street from the racing, in the Vancouver Convention Center East, rowing had a presence at the One Ability Booth in the Invictus Village. This was an opportunity to show off inclusive sport options that exist in BC, and hopefully capture the interest of the public, as well as competitors and their family and friends in the sport of rowing.

As a follow-up from the Games, Rowing BC is hosting three Come Try Rowing opportunities for free and for anyone. Adaptive equipment is available for those who need it. Please share the word with anyone you know that may want to give it a try! Find more information and registration forms on our event calendar HERE.