KINGSTON, ONT. – Queen's Rowing will be represented on the international stage later this month as Julia Teixeira(Engineering Chemistry) and Kaija Erickson(Kinesiology and Health Studies) have been named to the Canadian team for the 2026 FISU World University Championships, taking place August 13-15 at Fanshawe Lake in London, Ont.
Rowing Canada Aviron, in conjunction with U SPORTS, announced the athletes selected to represent Canada at the championship event, which is expected to welcome approximately 300 student-athletes from more than 20 countries. The 2026 edition marks the first time the FISU World University Rowing Championships will be hosted in Canada.
Teixeira, entering her fourth season with the Gaels, was selected to compete in the Women's Lightweight Quad (4X) alongside McGill University's Maria (Marese) Fletcher. Teixeira brings valuable international experience to the Canadian crew, having previously represented Canada at the U23 World Rowing Championships in the Women's Double.
"I am very grateful for this opportunity to race internationally, not only representing my country, but also the Queen's University Rowing team, to which I owe most of my success," Teixeira said. "I am especially proud to be representing the lightweight community and demonstrating that there is still a future for us in the sport, and that we deserve to be given the same opportunities as the openweights becuase we are just as capable. Excited to race and good luck to all my fellow athletes!"
Erickson will race as part of Canada's Women's Eight (W8+), sitting in the 6 seat, and will row alongside athletes from Guelph, British Columbia, Trent, Brock, Western, Ohio State, and Southern Methodist University, with Carleton University's Jack Pankratz as coxie.
"I am so excited to have the opportunity to represent Canada at FISU this week in the Women's 8+," said Erickson. "I am so grateful for the opportunity to train alongside such hard working athletes this summer! We have been working hard since May to mesh rowing styles from schools across Canada and the US to find as much speed as we can. We are feeling confident coming off of a successful week at Canadian Henley, winning the Womens Senior 8+ and the Womens Championship 8+. We couldn't be more excited to race at FISU this Friday!"
The selections continue a strong tradition of Queen's student-athletes earning opportunities to represent Canada on the international scene. Both Teixeira and Erickson have been key contributors to the Gaels program and will now have the opportunity to compete against some of the world's top university rowers.
The FISU Women's 8+ had a great showing at the Royal Canadian Henley Regatta this past week, where Kaija and her crew won both the Senior Womens 8+ (Henley Island Helpers Presidents Cup) as well as the Womens Championship 8+ (Brock University 25th Anniversary Trophy), with times of 6:15.880, over 12s ahead of next boat Argentina, and 6:28.070, 4s ahead of next boat St. Catharines Rowing Club, respectively.
Teixeira (Womens 2x) also had a respectable showing as well, placing sixth in the Senior Womens 2x, beating out 19 other crews to be one of only 2 Canadian boats in the Final, as well as placing 4th in the Womens Senior 4x, finishing as the top Canadian crew in the event.
Canada's women's squad features a blend of experienced international athletes and emerging university talent. Teixeira joins a roster that includes Jana Peachey and Cait Whittard, members of Canada's bronze medal-winning U23 Women's Eight crew from last summer, highlighting the strength of Canada's rowing program heading into the championship.
The event will be contested at Fanshawe Lake, a venue with a rich history of hosting major rowing competitions, including the 2001 Canada Summer Games, the 2022 CanAmMex Regatta, and the 2025 Canada Cup.
For Queen's Rowing, the selections of Teixeira and Erickson underscore the program's continued development and presence on the national stage. The Gaels will be well represented as Canada looks to make a strong impression on home waters at the 2026 FISU World University Championships.
Queen's Representatives – Team Canada
- Julia Teixeira (Queen's University) – Women's Double (W2x)
- Kaija Erickson (Queen's University) – Women's Eight (W8+)
The 2026 FISU World University Championships begin August 13 in London, Ontario, with racing continuing through August 15. Queen's Athletics & Recreation congratulates Julia and Kaija on their selection and wishes them the best as they compete for Canada.
