Will Dean

Biography

Will Dean joined the senior rowing team in 2011 after two years competing at the U23 level, which was highlighted by a world silver medal in 2008 in the eight. Dean made his Olympic debut at London 2012 as a member of the four that finished ninth. In 2014 he joined the quad sculls crew and achieved a career highlight when they won a bronze medal at the World Cup in Aiguebelette, France. They went on to finish seventh at the world championships. In 2015 he won another World Cup bronze in Varese, Italy with the quad sculls and added a pair of gold medals at the Pan Am Games in Toronto with the quad sculls and the eight. In 2016 Dean and the quad sculls reached the second step of a World Cup podium with a silver medal in Varese before successfully qualifying the boat for Rio 2016. Dean competed collegiately at the University of California Berkeley and won a NCAA Championship in the men’s eight at the IRA Regatta as senior in 2010 after coming third in 2008 and 2009.

Getting to know…

Family: Parents Blake and Joanne… Younger brother Spencer and younger sister Jillian… His mother is a former elite triathlete who won gold at the 1991 World Championships, silver in 1992 and bronze in 1993…Getting into the Sport: Started rowing at age 18 at the University of California Berkeley… Outside Interests: Graduated from the University of California Berkeley in 2010 with an English degree… Passionate about healthy eating and conducts workshops on preparing and preserving nutritious foods… Has his own vegetable garden and chickens… Enjoys practicing yoga and perfecting his handstand…  RBC Olympian… Odds and Ends: Favourite quote: “The true measure of a man is how he treats someone who can do him absolutely no good” – Samuel Johnson… Favourite Olympic moment was watching Simon Whitfield win triathlon gold at Sydney 2000… Role model is Steve Nash…