Coaches - Rowing

Head Coach (M): Mike Pearce

  • The longest-tenured head coach at UBC, Mike Pearce has a legacy of success and led the creation of the program's award-winning boathouse.
  • Nine-time Canadian University Coach of the Year (2005, 2014, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025) and has guided UBC to 10 Canadian University Rowing Championships (2005, 2014, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025)
  • Like women's head coach Craig Pond, Pearce consistently produces a strong contingent of rowers for the Canadian national team including Olympic medalists
See his full bio: gothunderbirds.ca/staff-directory/mike-pearce/162
 

Head Coach (W): Craig Pond

  • Head coach of the women's team since 1999
  • Seven-time Canadian University Coach of the Year (2005, 2006, 2012, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2018) and has guided UBC to four Canadian University Rowing Championships (2004, 2018, 2019, 2021)
  • Former President of the Canadian University Rowing Association
See his full bio: gothunderbirds.ca/staff-directory/craig-pond/163


Click here for the entire Rowing coaching staff: gothunderbirds.ca/sports/rowing/coaches
BURNABY,BC:OCTOBER 4, 2025 -- UBC Thunderbirds during the Western Canadian Rowing Championships at Burnaby Lake in Burnaby, BC, October, 4, 2025. (Rich Lam/UBC Athletics Photo) ***MANDATORY CREDIT***


UBC Men's Rowing Head Coaching History

Years            Coach
1921-22 – No Coach        
1922-23 – Mr. D. N. Hossie, "Bimbo" Sweeney, Greville Jones
1923-25 – Mr. D. N. Hossie        
1925-26 – "Bimbo" Sweeney        
1926-27 – "Bimbo" Sweeney, Bill Bain    
1927-28 – Bill Bain        
1928-30 – John Oliver        
1930-31 – John Oliver, Walt MacDonald    
1931-32 – Coach Unknown        
1932-35 – Dr. Rolston West        
1935-37 – Dr. Rolston West, Fred Brand, Tom Brown
1937-38 – Frank Wilson        
1938-39 – Prof. G. Brand, Dr. Ure, Prof. Creighton
1939-40 – Bruce Baine        
1940-41 – Ned Pratt        
1941-42 – John Slater        
1942-43 – Phil Fitz-James        
1943-44 – John Slater        
1944-45 – Norm Denkman        
1945-47 – Hale Atkenson        
1947-49 – Coach Unknown        
1949-57 – Frank Read        
1957-58 – John Warren, Frank Read    
1958-59 – John Warren        
1959-60 – Frank Read        
1960-63 – Laurie West        
1963-64 – Glen Mervyn        
1964-66 – Wayne Pretty        
1966-67 – Frank Read, Wayne Pretty, John Cartmel
1967-68 – Frank Read, John Cartmel    
1967-69 – John Cartmel        
1969-70 – John Cartmel, Peter Klavora    
1970-72 – Peter Klavora, Alan Roaf    
1972-74 – Alan Roaf        
1974-76 – Rod Bell-Irving        
1976-79 – Al Morrow        
1979-80 – Rod Bell-Irving        
1980-81 – John Cordonier, Mel Laforme, Robin Catherall
1981-86 – Boris Klavora        
1986-88 – Tan Barkley
1988-89 – Mike Koski        
1989-90 – Terry Neal        
1990-93 – Joe Dowd    
1993-96 – Mike Koski    
1996-98 – Juris Ezergailis        
1998-Present – Mike Pearce
 

UBC Women's Rowing Head Coaching History

Years            Coach
1976-82 – Glen Battersby
1982-86 – Drew Harrison
1986-88 – Coach Unknown
1988-89 – Bob Downie
1989-91 – Tori Young    
1991-93 – Mike Koski
1993-94 – Sandie Coppinger
1994-95 – Alan Roaf
1995-98 – Mike Pearce
1998-99 – Chris Chambers
1999-Present – Craig Pond