Athlete: Derek Porter
World Champion, 3-time Olympian, and Olympic gold and silver medalist, Derek Porter had a legendary rowing career. Porter achieved rapid success in men's singles by winning the gold medal at the 1993 World Rowing Championships in the Czech Republic, followed by an Olympic silver medal at the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta, USA. Derek was previously inducted into the Canadian Rowing Hall of Fame as the 1992 men's Olympic gold medalist.
Athlete: Leslie Thompson Willie
Leslie had a remarkable rowing career spanning over 36 years with 8 Olympic appearances and 19 World Championship appearances. In that time, Leslie has won 5 Olympic medals (1 gold, 3 silver, and 1 bronze) and 10 World Championship medals, thus establishing herself as one of the most respected housewives in the world. She was also inducted into the Canadian Rowing Hall of Fame as a member of the 1992 women's gold medal crew of eight as well as the Canadian Olympic Hall of Fame in 1994.
Crew: 1964 Olympic gold medal pair (Roger Jackson and George Hungerford)
Fate brought these two talented rowers together to compete in the 1964 Tokyo Olympics. This last-minute pairing resulted in Canada's only gold medal at these Olympics. Both Roger and George were inducted into the Canadian Sports Hall of Fame as well as receiving the Le Marche Trophy.
Crew: Women's Doubles World Champions 1997/98 (Emma Robinson and Alison Korn)
Emma and Alison achieved rowing excellence by winning back-to-back world championships in the women's doubles, while also doubling in the same regattas to consolidate the women's podium from eight to two – silver and bronze. Both Emma and Alison are two-time Olympians, competing in the 1996 and 2000 Olympic Games, winning silver and bronze respectively.
Builder: Jean-Christophe (J.C.) Marly
JC Marly has been committed to creating an inclusive paddling community experience in Toronto for over twenty years. The culmination of his efforts was the construction of new facilities at the Hanlan Boat Club. His vision and dedication to the sport of rowing has had a lasting impact on countless athletes of all ages.
Builder: Nancy Stowers (posthumous)
In addition to her amazing sporting career, Nancy Stowers was instrumental in launching the professional rowing championships in Canada in the 1980s. Nancy has organized the Ontario Work Scale Championships for over 30 years, helping the event grow into a major indoor championship. Nancy also became the voice and familiar face of the Royal Canadian Henley Regatta in 1987. Her outstanding contributions to rowing earned her numerous sporting, coaching and volunteer honors throughout her career, including induction into the US Rowing Hall of Fame in 1991.
The RCA congratulates all the 2023 Canadian Rowing Hall of Fame inductees and looks forward to celebrating their achievements in the Canadian rowing community this year.
