Queen's Rowers Selected to Represent Canada at 2026 FISU World University Championships
KINGSTON, ONT. – Queen's Rowing will be represented on the international stage later this month as Julia Teixeira(Chemical Engineering) 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 Double (W2x) 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.
Erickson will race as part of Canada's Women's Eight (W8+) and will serve as coxswain and row alongside athletes from Guelph, British Columbia, Trent, Brock, Western, Ohio State, and Southern Methodist University, with Carleton University's Jack Pankratz.
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.
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.
