Susanne Grainger

Rising Star – July 2014

Susanne Grainger first began rowing when a family friend suggested that she give it a try. After the first row in a single Grainger says, ‘it just clicked.’ Grainger debuted internationally in 2011, rowing in the women’s eight at the World Rowing Under 23 Championships. In her first international race, she came away with a gold medal. Two years later, Grainger stood on the podium at her first senior level World Rowing Championships, earning a bronze medal as a part of the Canadian women’s eight. In 2014, Grainger has competed both in the eight and the pair and has three World Cup medals to add to the collection.

Currently training with the Canadian team in London, Ontario, Grainger and her teammates will be going for gold at this year’s World Rowing Championships. As a young member to the international squad, Grainger has already contributed to Canada’s senior team success. She is World Rowing’s Rising Star.

This season I would like to… stand in the middle of the podium.

My sporting idol is… Canadian rower Andrew Todd. Even after a tragic accident that would have cost anyone else their rowing career, he fought through incredible hardship and continues to, in order to be able to row at the international level someday. He is an inspiration. 

My biggest idols… are my parents. ‎They are such incredible people and I continue to learn from them every day.

I’m most relaxed when… I have a morning to sleep in as long as I please. 

I’m motivated by… progress. It’s exciting to see hard work pay off. 

In ten years’ time … I’m not sure where I’ll be, but it’s safe to say that rowing will always be a part of my life in some way. 

My non-rowing friends think… that what I do is awesome but that I’m absolutely crazy. 

If I could have one super power it would be... teleportation.

My biggest strength is… mental toughness. Mind over matter. 

Before a race, I always… take a moment to remind myself of all the people supporting me and watching over me.

My favourite food is… anything Mexican. Taco night is a regular occurrence in our household.  

2k or 5k on the erg… 2k.

I row because… I love the sport, the challenge and the great people I do it with.

‎I would love to row in… Rio, of course! 

My toughest race… to this date was the semifinal of the women’s pair ‎in Aiguebelette, France this year. We didn’t qualify for the A-final, but we learned a lot from the race and pushed ourselves to a new level.