Victoria’s Derek Porter is a natural athlete. He has participated in cross-country running, soccer, tennis, golf, skiing, squash – and rowing, the sport in which he has become most successful and best known.

While at the University of Victoria, earning his Bachelor of Science degree, he won a gold medal in the eight with cox and a silver in the four with cox at the 1987 Western Canada Games. Five years later he became a Gold Medallist at the Barcelona Olympics in the eight with cox.

After the Olympic Games, with many members of the eight crew retiring from competition, Mr. Porter decided to try the single sculls. In a new rowing event demanding a different set of skills and mindset, with a new coach and in his very first year of competition, he won the 1993 World Single Sculls Championship in Czechoslovakia, defeating the 1992 Olympic gold and silver medalists in the sport. He is the first Canadian to win the championship in 100 years.

He has consistently demonstrated the exceptional qualities of discipline, dedication and perseverance throughout his career. He is now a practicing Chiropractor in Victoria, British Columbia.