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Karissa Riley
Karissa Riley is a Canadian National Team lightweight rower who represents her country on the world’s biggest waters. A veteran of multiple World Cups and World Championships, she earned a bronze medal in lightweight single sculls at the 2023 U23 World Championships and placed seventh at the 2025 Senior World Championships in Shanghai. Her rowing story started unexpectedly at age 18 when she first picked up an oar as a university student in Calgary, Alberta. Starting from scratch as an adult meant learning complex technical skills on the fly, proving that it is never too late to try something completely new and aim high. Karissa brings this fresh, encouragement-focused perspective directly to the classroom. She shows kids that stepping outside their comfort zones and taking on brand-new challenges can lead to unbelievable discoveries.