Simon Fraser University Rowing Club - SFU Rowing

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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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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IRON OAR 🏆🚣

Nalyssa and Evan defined what it means to show up and put in the work.

The Iron Oar Award recognizes athletes who demonstrate exceptional grit, determination, and resilience, especially through the toughest parts of the training season. This year, both Nalyssa and Evan embodied that standard every single day.

Through the long and demanding winter training block, and countless hours on the erg, they stepped up as leaders within the team. Their commitment to improvement was evident in every session, and their consistency helped set the tone for those around them.

They hold themselves to incredibly high standards and are often their own toughest critics, but that drive is exactly what pushes them forward. Even on the hardest days, they showed up ready to work, gave their full effort, and led by example.

Their perseverance, determination, and dedication to the process make them more than deserving of this recognition.

Congratulations to our 2025-26 Iron Oar recipients, Nalyssa and Evan! 👏

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