Longtime Queen's University and Kingston Rowing Club coach Ian McFarlane was inducted into the Row Ontario Hall of Fame earlier this month as part of the Class of 2025. McFarlane became just the sixth coach to receive the honour.

McFarlane has been a key figure in the growth and success of rowing in Kingston for over 40 years. After moving to the city in 1974, he played a foundational role in establishing both the Kingston Rowing Club and Queen's University Rowing. He became Queen's first men's head coach in 1977, while also helping launch the men's high school rowing program at Kingston Collegiate. Alongside fellow coach John Armitage, McFarlane helped build a powerhouse Queen's program that captured 20 OUA banners - 13 Women's and seven Men's - during their tenure.

At the club level, he helped grow the Kingston Rowing Club into a successful and sustainable community hub for the sport. Under his leadership, club and high school crews captured titles at the CSSRA Championships, provincial and national championships, and the prestigious Royal Canadian Henley Regatta. He served as KRC President from 1997 to 2006 and remained involved in various volunteer and leadership capacities for decades.

Beyond Kingston, McFarlane's coaching career reached the international stage. He coached at the Henley Royal Regatta (1981), the World University Championships (1982 – two golds), and was on Rowing Canada's national team staff from 1983–87, including the 1984 Olympic Games and the 1986 Commonwealth Games, where his crew won silver.

A champion of coach development, McFarlane contributed to RCA's National Coaching Certification Program and served on its Coach Education and Development Committee. His career has been recognized with numerous accolades, including Coach of the Year honours from both Rowing Canada and Row Ontario, as well as lifetime achievement awards for service and coaching.