Resources
Meet the DRC Coaches
Wendy O’Neill
Wendy has been a member of the DRC for 20 years, She has been a frequent attendee at Head of the Charles Regatta and the Royal Canadian Henley, both as rower and coxswain. “I love the idea of being in control of an 8+ in the HOTC, maneuvering through all the boats and bridges, it’s a real adrenaline rush.” Bringing many years of rowing experience to the program, Wendy works with other club coaches and helps to train and develop new athletes into the club’s rowing program.
Abigail Najjar
Abigail Najjar began rowing at the age of 13 at Don Rowing Club. She has competed for the DRC as a junior and is now part of the U23 competitive program. Abigail continues to develop her love for the sport through coaching the Club program. Coaching others brings her joy. Abigail’s goal is to spread that joy and the sense of community rowing through her coaching.
Maya Meschkuleit
Maya started rowing in 2017 and quickly rose through the ranks to represent Canada on the international stage, earning an Olympic silver medal and a world championship title. She competed at the 2024 Paris Olympics and brings her high-performance experience to the Don Rowing Club. At DRC, Maya primarily works with the Masters program while writing training programs for the club. She enjoys helping athletes refine their technique, build confidence, and push their limits on the water. With a strong background in both sculling and sweep rowing, Maya is committed to fostering a supportive and competitive environment for all club members.
Georgia Greenwood
Georgia began rowing and coxing at the Don Rowing Club in 2016. Excelling at Head of the Charles and Canadian Henley, she has developed a strong technical understanding and worked with several different programs at the Don Rowing Club. Most recently, Georgia rowed on Western University’s Varsity Rowing Team and competed for Team Ontario at the 2022 Canada Summer Games. Georgia’s focus with the Masters program is to maintain a supportive environment while helping them pursue their competitive goals.
Walter Benko
Walter has been involved with Don Rowing Club for 18 years, previously coaching and rowing at London Rowing Club and competing at the University of Pennsylvania.
He has coached junior and masters’ athletes, and values seeing his athletes develop a lifelong love for rowing. He particularly enjoyed coaching his daughter and observing her growth both as an athlete and an individual. He was fortunate enough to see one of his athletes reach the gold medal podium at the Olympics
Lorne Thomas
Lorne started rowing as a novice at Brock University. His continued success led him to become team captain with multiple OUA championship medals and banners. His study in Kinesiology and Exercise Physiology, has given him a scientific background in training principles, sports psychology, and nutrition. Lorne offers good technical insight on the water but also provides strong weight lifting programs fostering proper lifting techniques.
Representing Canada at the 2019 coastal world championships in Shenzhen China, and the 2022 CRA Beach Sprint Championships in Walvis Bay Namibia. Lorne’s coastal experience has made him a well rounded rower with loads of experience and knowledge to share.
Andrew Bellerby
Andrew Bellerby began rowing over 30 years ago at the Don Rowing Club as a student at the University of Toronto Mississauga (UTM). After competing at both the university and club levels, and gaining international experience rowing with Brock University, he transitioned into coaching. Andrew returned to DRC as a dedicated coach, supporting learn-to-row, recreational, junior, university, competitive, and masters rowers for over 15 years; including serving as DRC Head Coach in 2000-01. Now, bringing leadership and insight from his professional experience in Recreation and Fitness at UTM, Andrew has reconnected with the club, joining the Junior Program Coaches Team and committing himself to the program’s continued growth and future development.
Tasmin Willms
Tasmin started her rowing career with the Don Rowing Club after joining the Junior Team in 2019. In 2022, she joined the McMaster Variety Women’s team in her first year of university, where she competed in the Canadian University Rowing Championships in Victoria. She has coached a wide range of programs, including Learn to Row, University Novice, Masters, and club programs. She loves to share her knowledge of the sport.