The Ottawa Rowing Club is home to so many amazing, motivated, selfless volunteers! We feel really lucky to know and have them in our community – we want you to know them too. This is the launch of Project #ORCvolunteerlove, where we ask volunteers a series of questions. We’ll post new volunteer Q&As each week. Their answers may surprise you, make you giggle, or motivate you to live the best day ever, or to pay forward what you’ve received too.
Meet Lilianne Page, one of our many volunteers who make the ORC go and go fast and furiously each year.
Lilianne has rowed at the ORC for 10 years (winning many medals along the way!), is a full time PhD candidate at University of Ottawa, works part-time at the university and volunteers as Secretary on the ORC executive and has been a long time coach in our Adult Rowing League where she spreads her joy of rowing with new rowers. THANK YOU, LILIANNE. Sending you #ORCvolunteerlove!
Q: When did you get involved with the Ottawa Rowing Club and how?
A: September 2007, University of Ottawa Novice Team (shout out to Jenna Pelham, Kate Goodfellow and Andrew Todd who are also from that year, and Mel Bryce and the late Brian Adams for coaching us!)
Q: Give one of the most important lessons you’ve learned along your journey from novice rower to veteran rower and how that lesson has impacted your life in other areas.
A: I have adopted two mantras over my years of rowing competitively that I think can be applied to all aspects of life.
1. Progress, not perfection. It really is about the journey and the micro-goals you set and achieve along the way. Achieving the bigger stuff is a nice bonus, but that’s not what builds character.
2. No limits. I am capable of so much more than I think I am. Just when I think I’ve reached my limit, my mind finds that extra gear. Don’t ever settle and you’ll be amazed at what you are capable of.
Q: You volunteer a lot of time at the ORC. What motivates you to stay involved and to continue volunteering?
A: The opportunity to give back a little of what this sport and the ORC have given to me. I don’t really consider it “volunteering”. The ORC is like a second home or family to me. Staying involved at the club is my way of staying connected to that family.
Q: What contribution/achievement are you most proud of since being a member/volunteer of the ORC?
A: Some of my most rewarding experiences at the club have been coaching the Adult Rowing League (ARL). It still amazes me that we can get a group of people with no rowing experience to RACE after only four on-water sessions. The learning curve is steep, but it so awesome to see people surpass their own expectations, surpass my expectations and develop a respect, and sometimes love, for something that is so important to me.
Q: What’s a favourite quote that gives you inspiration/strength?
A: “Courage doesn’t always roar. Sometimes courage is the little voice at the end of the day that says, ‘I will try again tomorrow.'” Mary Anne Radmacher
Q: What’s a favourite on-water and off-water workout that you love to do?
A: On-water: 1′ pieces all out
Off-water: a long x-country ski….okay, I guess technically that’s still ON water
On the erg: LPL (long pyramid ladder) – 34′ pyramid with rate changes every 2′
Q: What’s a favourite memory that you have while at the ORC?
A: This is going to sound strange because it was such an emotional moment for me (and many others), but I would have to say the christening of the Brian Adams last summer. Brian is the reason I’m in this sport. He not only taught me how to row ten years ago, but he taught me how to live life the fullest. Naming a boat after him was a long time coming, and I couldn’t have been more proud and honoured that day to recognize such a wonderful man and friend. Love and miss you Brian xo.
Q: List 3 things on your life bucket list
A: Become fluent in French
Complete the Canadian Ski Marathon Coureur Des Bois Gold
Hike to Everest Base Camp
Q: And if you have one, a favourite recipe or go-to food as an athlete that fuels you and your busy days!
A: Eggs!! Seriously, Burnbrae Farms should probably sponsor me…
Lilianne coaching and coxing an ARL crew..
