VICTORIA – After a year of growth and valuable lessons, the University of Victoria women's rowing team enters the 2026-27 season with renewed confidence and the goal of returning to the top of the national podium.

The Vikes begin their season Oct. 3-4 at the Western Canadian Rowing Championships in Burnaby, B.C., as they set their sights on a 15th Canadian University Rowing Championship title.

Jane Gumley enters her sixth season as head coach after guiding the Vikes to four national championships in her first five years. While last season presented challenges, the team still returned from the 2025 Canadian University Rowing Championships with three medals, including silver in the lightweight double and bronze medals in both the lightweight four and women's single.

The spring season showed further progress, with the Vikes reserve crew capturing the Campbell-Dowd Cup at the Brown Cup regatta. Although the varsity boat fell short against UBC, the experience helped lay the foundation for what became a breakthrough summer.

At the 2026 Canadian Henley Regatta, the Vikes delivered one of the program's strongest performances in recent memory, capturing five gold medals against one of North America's deepest fields in rowing. UVic topped the podium in the U23 women's eight, U23 women's eight dash, U23 women's coxless four, U23 lightweight coxless four and U23 lightweight double sculls.

Much of that success came from a young open-weight group that developed throughout the summer and now returns largely intact. The women's eight features many of the athletes who claimed Henley gold and has quickly emerged as one of the program's most promising boats.

From the Coach
"I feel good about how we're looking. We have a really strong lightweight crew that are experienced and reliable, and on the open weight side we have a young group that came together over the summer, and we want to build on that momentum. The whole team put in a lot of work over the summer, and it shows." – Jane Gumley, head coach.

The Vikes' lightweight contingent will once again be among the team's greatest strengths. Fifth-year athlete Elena Masyte returns for her final season after several years of success in the lightweight boats, while fourth-year rower Kate Watson is coming off a strong campaign that included medals in both the lightweight double and lightweight four at CURCs. Joining them is second-year athlete Stella Graham, who is expected to contribute immediately at the varsity level, along with Sasha Fraser who is also new to varsity lightweight.

The open-weight squad is anchored by an experienced group that includes Isabel Harold, Elyse Jobling and Violet Scholz, all of whom were part of the Henley championship eight. Veteran Sophia Regosa also returns for her final season after helping power numerous medal-winning crews throughout her Vikes career. Traditionally a lightweight athlete, Regosa is expected to make the transition to the open-weight eight this season after rowing with the Henley gold-medal crew during the summer.

Second-year athletes Addison Stenzel and Avery Coughlin are also poised for larger roles after impressive rookie campaigns. The duo will race together in the pair at Westerns and were both members of the championship-winning women's eight at Henley.

The Vikes will also welcome several newcomers to the program this season. Lucy Turnbull joins the varsity squad following a decorated career at St. Michaels University School that included provincial and national podium performances. Coxswain Ryleigh Martin arrives from Victoria City Rowing Club and will take on the critical role of steering and leading crews on the water.

With a strong blend of experienced veterans, emerging talent and momentum from a successful summer, the Vikes believe they are positioned to take another step forward this season. After navigating the growing pains of a young roster last year, the focus now shifts from development to contention as UVic looks to re-establish itself among Canada's elite rowing programs.