Local Athlete Competes in Germany Jane Holman grew up watching her mother, Christine, who was a member of the Rowbust Dragon Boat Team of Breast Cancer Survivors since she was 10 years old, and immediately wanted to “do what mom does”. After a few family and friends open paddle nights, she knew she was hooked. Jane then started paddling for an adult team called the Pendragons at 14 years old. She showed signs of being a talented paddler, and discussions started regarding her potentially trying out for the National team for the World Championships, with her local coaches, Cheryl Mclachlan, and Geoff Johnston. The World Championships occur every other year at a different venue around the world. At 14, Jane knew she wanted to put in the work to try out for the under-18 National team. A two- year regimen of practices three times a week, training camps in Montreal, cardio training, and multiple fit tests resulted in a spot on the National U18 team representing Canada in the World championships in Brandenburg, Germany this past July. To say that Jane was excited to travel to Europe at 17 years old was an understatement, and her father was honoured to accompany her on this journey. John (her Dad) said that Jane was “floating through the airport” anticipating this opportunity with a beaming smile and glowing excitement. After a 14-hour travel day and a total of 30 hours staying awake, the gruelling training commenced. The team had four practice days to get to know each other, as athletes were from all over Canada. The team was stationed in Potsdam, Germany, which is about 45 minutes south of Berlin. A one-hour bus ride to the venue for five days of practices, early morning workouts, and runs as a team before the competition began.
world silver medalist. Jane’s father John, who also had never been to Europe, said it was one of the true highlights of his life to travel with Jane and watch her work so hard to be able to compete, and ultimately thrive on the world stage, and create memories and stories to span generations in our family.
Jane and her coaches.
To advertise here, please contact Marty@villagerpublications.com There were three disciplines for the standard boats: a 2 km race, a 1 km race, a 500 m sprint, and a 200 m sprint. Jane raced in approximately twenty races within those eight events with both teams and earned two gold medals and five silver medals. A beautiful outdoor closing ceremony and party on the grounds of a castle on the last day before travelling home early the next morning. Jane slept for almost the entirety of the 8-hour flight home using her dad as a pillow. Her mother, Christine, and younger sister Mae surprised Jane with a decorated house to celebrate her return as a 2-event world champion and a 5-event The competition itself lasted eight days. Jane was a part of the U18 women’s standard boat, which consisted of twenty paddlers, a steer person, and a drummer. She was also on the U18 mixed standard boat, which consisted of the top ten male and top ten female paddlers in the country.
Old East Villager September 2025 • Page 5
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