Meet our Coaches AND STAFF

Kirsten Ryan, HEAD ADULT COACH

Kirsten is a passionate coach who brings decades of experience, humour and humility to the coach boat. She began her rowing and coaching at Winnipeg Rowing Club over 25 years ago. While in Winnipeg, she coached many levels of rowing, including adaptive rowing, and also served as general manager of the Prairie Fire Rowing Club in Winnipeg from 1999 to 2001, starting that club from the ground up with the assistance of the Foundation 2000plus. Kirsten has been a member and volunteer at Hanlan Boat Club since 2011. She has experience coaching adults and junior rowers and has prepared athletes for various regattas including the Head of the Charles Regatta. Kirsten believes that rowing is a community with a place for everyone—whether you are looking for fitness, recreation or competition—and that you can start along any of these paths at any age.

Kirsten was named as Row Ontario’s 2022 Learn-To-Row/Recreational Coach of the Year in 2022. Kirsten can be reached at kirsten@hanlanboatclub.ca.

HORACIO TENDILLA,
HeaD JUNIOR/U23/SENIOR Coach

Horacio Tendilla is Head Coach for Hanlan’s Junior Development, Junior Competitive, and U23 / Senior Competitive programs.

Horacio started his rowing career in 1976 in Mexico and rowed for many years on Mexico’s national rowing team, where he later became the Director of Talent Development. After immigrating to Canada in 2008, Horacio worked as Director of Rowing and Head Coach at several Ontario rowing clubs, where has had repeated success in both growing rowing programs and developing rowers to compete at the highest levels. He has also coached at the provincial level, training Ontario’s top U19 rowers for provincial, national and international competitions.

Horacio joins Hanlan in April 2024. Contact horacio@hanlanboatclub.ca for all inquiries.

COACH Tony Tremain

Tony has been coaching since 1984 at all levels and serves as Managing Director of the Hanlan Coaching Centre of Excellence. Tony supports all of our coaches with one-on-one feedback during their on-the-water coaching sessions and by encouraging professional development opportunities.

Tony can be reached at tony@hanlanboatclub.ca

Eric Szonyi, TMU HEAD COACH AND HANLAN COMPETITIVE COACH

Eric has been rowing at Hanlan since 1984 and continues to train and compete as a masters rower. He is the Head Coach of Hanlan’s Toronto Metropolitan University rowing program, and has also coached coached high school, university, masters and junior rowers. Eric enjoys sharing his passion and knowledge of the sport and aims to bring out the best in his athletes.

CODY TOPS, ASSISTANT COACH

Cody learned to row in Newfoundland, and transitioned into coaching after competing at the Canada Games in 2017. What excites him most about rowing at Hanlan is how much exposure you can have, be it during competitions or during community-based rowing experiences.

ADELAIDE WIMPENNY, ASSISTANT COACH

Adelaide coached at Mic Mac Amateur Aquatic Club before coming to Hanlan, where she works with all of our junior, senior and masters competitive athletes.

NICOLA WORSFOLD, ASSISTANT Coach

Kristen has rowed and coached off and on at different Toronto-area clubs since 1989. She loves the welcoming community at Hanlan and the adventure of rowing on Lake Ontario.

From left to right, Coaches Cody Tops, Eric Szonyi, and Nicola Worsfold