Gavin Stone

Biography

Gavin Stone made his first international appearance for Canada as a member of the quad sculls at the 2017 World Rowing U23 Championships where they finished first in the B final. The next year, he competed with the eight at the U23 Worlds, making the A final and finishing fifth overall.

Stone had what he calls the race of his career at the 2018 Canadian Championships where he finished second in the single sculls while still just 21. For the final, he was seeded into an outside lane, but right next to Mahé Drysdale, the great New Zealand rower who won single sculls gold at London 2012 and Rio 2016 and was racing in Canada as an exhibition. Stone put together one of his best races and with 500m to go, he realized he had a shot at winning. He came up just short but holding his own against Olympians made him realize that pursuing rowing was the right choice.  

Stone made his senior international debut in 2019, winning a bronze with the eight at the World Cup in Poznan. He made his World Rowing Championship debut with the eight later that summer, finishing second in the B final. In May 2021, Stone was a member of the four at the Final Olympic Qualification Regatta where they finished second to secure Canada’s spot in the event for Tokyo 2020. In his Olympic debut, Stone and his teammates finished second in the B final of the four.

Stone raced collegiately at Queen’s University for three seasons, having former Team Canada coach Phil Marshall take over the program in his second year. While with the Gaels he was awarded team MVP in 2016, named captain in 2017, and was the 2018 OUA Male Athlete of the Year after finishing first at the Canadian University Rowing Championships. He also represented Ontario at the 2017 Canada Games, winning a gold medal in double sculls.

A Little More About Gavin

Getting into the Sport: Started rowing with his high school team when he was 14… Sister Shannon had rowed and really enjoyed it so he decided to try… Loved working hard and the feeling of gliding over the water… Has wanted to compete for Canada since watching one of his older high school teammates represent Canada at the U23 World Championships… Outside Interests: Enjoys reading, playing basketball, cross-country skiing, ultimate frisbee, watching movies, playing cards or board games… Attended Queen’s University for Engineering… Odds and Ends: “Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure.” -Marianne Williamson… Always collects water from the race course so he has some from every significant place he has raced or trained… Brings home mugs and Christmas ornaments from his competition travels…