Olympic Official Erin Schaus on Mentorship and Breaking Boundaries in Paddling
Erin Schaus’s introduction to canoe kayak began at a young age…long before she made waves as the first-ever female starter in the Paris 2024 Olympics Canoe Sprint.
Growing up, Erin paddled on Lake Banook in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, just as her father had since the 1960s.
“There are three clubs here on the lake, and they’re very integrated into the community,” says Erin. “There’s a mixture of individuality in the sport when you are alone in your boat, along with teamwork when you’re with others.”
It was this sense of camaraderie that fueled her connection to the sport, motivating her to stay engaged in new ways as time went on.
Her officiating career began with judging finish lines and assisting in regatta management, taking off from there.
In 2006, she earned her national certification as an official, followed by her international certification in 2009. She went on to break barriers, becoming the first female starter in several major competitions.
Her hard work culminated when she officiated at the 2024 Olympics, an experience she describes as unbelievable.
“One of the days, we had like 25,000 people come watch the sport, and it was so loud and so motivating for the athletes,” Erin says. “It made me, as an official, want to step up my game, because I’m performing just like the athletes, but in a different manner.”
As an educator and mentor, Erin is passionate about giving back. She values the Support4Sport initiative, which provides funding and recognition not only to athletes but also to officials and coaches.
“Support4Sport is needed in all of these communities because, in most places, we have athletes, coaches, and others who may not be able to afford everything needed to succeed in sport,” she says.
Her dedication to creating positive environments for young women in sports reflects her belief in the importance of role models. She hopes to inspire more women to consider officiating.
“I want to show them there are other avenues to stay involved in sport,” she says. “I was never a top athlete, but I realized I could stay in sport in another capacity because there were many women in officiating roles in our Atlantic Division and across Canada that I could look up to.”
Now, with an eye toward future Olympics, Erin continues her journey, mentoring the next generation of officials along the way.
