UVic Sports Hall of Fame
CATEGORY: Athlete
Derek Porter was a legendary member of Canada’s national rowing team. Taking up the sport of rowing in only his second year at UVic, Porter’s 12-year career in international competition included two Olympic and one World Championship medal.
Shortly after Porter took up rowing at UVic, he was on top of the podium winning the gold in the men’s eights at the 1992 Olympic Games in Barcelona, Spain. In 1993, he switched to single sculls and within a year became the first Canadian male in 75 years to win a gold at the World Championship..
“A lonely endeavour, the single scull – on and off the water by yourself for the most part” said Porter. “ Mentally, you’ve got no one else to motivate you [or] waiting at the boathouse at 7 in the morning…There’s no hiding in the single scull…If you’re not performing, you’re not going anywhere.”
Again in the single sculls, he won a silver medal at the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta, Georgia. In 1999 Porter competed in in the Pan American Games and won the gold in the single sculls. His final Olympic race was in Sydney, Australia in 2000 where he placed fourth in the single scull. He is credited with playing a major role in developing the popularity of rowing in Canada and ultimately, its tremendous success.
Porter received numerous awards for his accomplishments; most notably were the Order of BC Medal and the Canadian Government's Meritorious Service Medal. In October 2012, Porter was inducted into the Canadian Sports Hall of Fame.
International Achievements
- Competed for 12 years for the Canadian Rowing Program
- Captured gold in the men’s eight at the 1992 Barcelona Olympic Summer Games
- First Canadian in 75 years to captured gold in the men’s single scull at the 1993 World Championships
- Captured a silver medal in the men’s single scull at the 1996 Atlanta Summer Olympics
- Won gold in men’s single scull at the 1999 Pan American Games
- Fourth place finish at the 2000 Sydney Olympics in the single scull
- Recipient of Oder of BC Medal and Canadian Government’s Meritorious Service Medal
Hall of Fame
- Inducted into the Canadian Sports Hall of Fame 2012
- Inducted into the BC Sports Hall of Fame 1996
- Inducted into the Greater Victoria Sports Hall of Fame 2013
