It’s been a few decades since she’s skimmed its surface, but just the sight of the Henley Island rowing course still brings a smile to Sandra’s face. As both swimmer and rower, she spent a good part of her Ridley career either on or in the water, but Sandra’s time off the water was just as foundational. Speed weight circuits in the basement, monthly erg tests and doing pullups over a sawhorse while being challenged to “hit the board and make it sing,” helped her make the connection that national results require hard work.
That realization served her well in the years that followed. Sandra was the stroke of the McGill University Lightweight 8 crew, bringing home a gold medal in her final school year. Following university, she rowed with the Toronto Argonaut Club’s Lightweight Women, earning medals at both the Henley and Head of the Charles Regattas. From there, she earned a place on the Canadian National Rowing team’s Women’s Lightweight 4, winning Gold at the 1994 Commonwealth Games and placing 5th at the 1994 World Rowing Championships.
“Ridley rowing gave me a level of fitness, skill and passion for the sport that helped me prepare for the Canadian National Rowing team.”