VICTORIA – The University of Victoria men's rowing team opens its 2026-27 season Oct. 3-4 at the Western Canadian Rowing Championships in Burnaby, B.C.
Head coach
Aalbert Van Schothorst enters his 13th season at the helm with a program that continues to build momentum. Following a strong summer highlighted by a Canadian Henley Regatta men's 8+ victory over UBC and a lightweight pair title, the Vikes are optimistic about where they stand entering the new campaign.
The team's continued integration with the national training centre at Shawnigan Lake has created valuable opportunities for athletes to train alongside some of the country's top rowers and gain firsthand experience of what is required to compete at the highest level.
While the Vikes graduated lightweight standout
Giancarlo DiPompeo, who captured both the lightweight single and double titles last season and now coaches the novice men, the program returns a talented group capable of continuing that success.
The men's 8+ finished second at last year's Western Canadian Rowing Championships before earning bronze at the Canadian University Rowing Championships. With a roster featuring several national team athletes and emerging talent, the Vikes are aiming to close the gap at the top and return to championship contention.
This weekend will also provide an opportunity to evaluate the team's smaller boats as the Vikes begin laying the foundation for national championship racing later in the season.
From the Coach
"We're looking to build on the success of last year and keep up the momentum from the summer while meeting the ambitions of the larger program. This weekend will offer the opportunity to test the speed we feel like we've been developing over the past four years. We've had to redevelop a bit since COVID and get back to basics, but now the fundamentals are being done well, we're gaining inspiration from our top guys, and it's starting to show." –
Aalbert Van Schothorst, men's rowing head coach.
Key Returners
Billy Thornton & Oscar Humphries-Joyeux
One of Canada's top lightweight pairs, Thornton and Humphries-Joyeux are coming off an outstanding summer that included victories in the B.C. Men's Open Pair (2-) and the lightweight pair in the senior division at the Canadian Henley Regatta. After dominating the U19 ranks, the duo has quickly established itself among the country's top lightweight crews.
Daniel Mielecki
A former UVic Novice of the Year, Mielecki continues to emerge as one of the program's top rowers. The U23 national team athlete represented Canada at the 2025 World Rowing U23 Championships and shattered the program's long-standing 2,000-metre erg record with a time of 5:55.4. His power output and strength in the boat with his continued technique improvements will certainly help the team.
Gabe Dyer, Thomas Boruta & Simon Whittaker
After spending the summer training and competing alongside Canada's top university rowers, Dyer, Boruta and Whittaker return with valuable international experience. The duo of Dyer and Whittacker helped Canada capture a bronze medal in the men's four at the 2026 FISU World University Championships and will play a key role in the Vikes' pursuit of podium results this season.
Nolan Robertson
Robertson was part of the men's 8+ crew that set a course record at the Canadian Henley Regatta and has continued his rapid development since joining the program as a novice. Now entering his third season, he is expected to row the stroke seat as the Vikes chase success in the marquee boat.
Incoming talent
Arthur Goncalves
A lightweight rower from Brazil, Goncalves arrives at UVic with experience training alongside the Brazilian national team and Florianópolis Rowing Club. Van Schothorst believes the newcomer has the talent to contribute immediately and develop into an important piece of the program's future.
