UBC Rowing 100 was commissioned by the Gold for Life Alumni Committee and UBC Rowing to mark the centennial of one of the university’s most storied athletic programs. The brief was clear: produce a documentary worthy of 100 years of history, ready to premiere at the celebration event on September 15th, 2022 at the Robert H. Lee Alumni Centre. From the start of pre-production to the premiere screening, the entire project – research, interviews, archival work, editing, and sound design – was completed in ten months.

The research phase was substantial. A century of rowing history meant working through decades of archival footage, photographs, and records with the support of historians Fred Hume, John Moran, Jason Beck, and Michael Sasi. Getting that material into a coherent seventeen-minute narrative required a clear editorial framework – one that honoured the depth of the program’s past without losing a general audience. Writer and narrator Don Wells shaped the film’s voice throughout, giving the historical material a warmth that made it accessible to rowers and non-rowers alike.

The interview subjects reflect the reach of UBC Rowing’s legacy. Canadian Olympic Committee President and IOC Member Tricia Smith, Rowing BC President Susan Wilkinson, and current Head Men’s Coach Mike Pearce all appear on camera, giving the film both historical credibility and a forward-looking perspective. The premiere screened to a packed house at UBC and the film is now available to watch in full on YouTube.