Dock Talk

On Episode 12 of Dock Talk, Zak is joined by former Olympic swimming and athlete advocate Melinda Harrsion. The two chat about Melinda's athlete career and her post-competition endeavors that have recenlty included developing a program to support athletes transitioning post-sport themselves. 

On Episode 11 of Dock Talk, Zak is joined by former Olympian (2008, 2012) Janine Stephens to discuss her action packed rowing career. The conversation touches on how hooked on rowing after a fluke martial arts class, her rise to university and Olympic success and her transition into the role of coaching. 

On Episode 10 of Dock Talk, Zak is joined by Phil Monkton and 2 time Olympian ('76, '84) to chat about his experiences training under some of the most iconic coaches in Canadian rowing history and how today's training environment differs from that of the past. Phil also elaborates on training through the boycott of the 1980 Moscow Games, how it affected the athletes, and how it compares to the current generation of elite athletes world wide dealing with the postponement of Tokyo 2020's event calendar.

On Episode 9 of Dock Talk, Zak is joined by Canada's first every female Olympic coxswain Illoana Smith. Illoana was part of the iconic group of women who paved the way for the next generation of female athletes in Canada and around the world. She joins the show to talk about some of the major differences between the '76 Games in Montreal and the state of rowing in the world now. She also discusses the many improvements in gender equity in the sport of rowing, the incredible standard of today's female athletes, and her induction into the Canadian Rowing Hall of Fame. 

On Episode 8 of Dock Talk, Zak is joined by Patricia Obee. Patricia rowed in the 2012 and 2016 Olympic Games capturing a silver medal in the lightweight women's 2x in Rio De Janerio, Brasil. She joins the show to discuss her quick rise to rowing success and how her career on the water helped shape her profession in clinical counselling post retirement from rowing. 

On Episode 7 of Dock Talk, Mark Henry joins the show to chat about his experiences in the single and using small boats as a means to develop newer athletes. Mark also reflects on the unique recruiting tactic that got him into the sport and shares some of his experiences from his days with the senior national team.  

On Episode 6 of Dock Talk, Zak is joined by Dr. Katie Edwards. Katie is currently the President of the Canadian University Rowing Association (CURA), President of Row Nova Scotia, and coach of the St. Francis Xavier University rowing team. She joins the show to discuss the power of relationship building and how a strong community can drive the growth of our beloved sport. Katie reflects on the growth of rowing at St. FX as well as in Nova Scotia, and gives us some insight into potential racing scenarios in Canada this year. At the end of the chat Katie and Zak reminisce on a few funny stories from their time on the water together. 

On Episode 5 of Dock Talk, Zak interviews the CEO of Rowing Canada Terry Dillon to talk about his experiences on the water from first stroke to the Olympics. Terry describes how he entered the sport, his time racing with Team GB, how the sport has developed over the years, and what he thinks the next steps are for growth in rowing.  

On Episode 4 of Dock Talk, Zak is coach Jimmy Smith as he shares his experiences coaching in Canada, New Zealand and Australia. Jimmy discusses some of the strengths and weaknesses off each of these countries and their rowing culture. He also shares his favourite regatta and his picks for crews to watch at the upcoming 2021 Olympic Games.