Peter Van Rooijen '01 (Champlain College)
My journey from Trent University rower to chairman of Row Ontario’s Board of Directors reflects a lifelong dedication to the sport. A native of Brockville, Ontario, I began rowing at the Brockville Rowing Club in high school and competed at Trent University, where I earned a Business degree and won medals for Canada at the Under-23 World Championships twice. My experience as an athlete and coach - spanning Brock University, Ridley Graduate Boat Club, St. Catharines Rowing Club, Team Ontario and Rowing Canada - has equipped me with a broad perspective on rowing development and competition.
Since joining the Row Ontario Board in 2021, I have helped guide the organization through key transitions, and now, as Chair since 2023, I am leading efforts that aim to strengthen rowing programs, foster athlete growth, reimagining how athletes first experience the sport, enhancing competition at Row Ontario regattas and expanding the sport’s reach across Ontario, including the new discipline of Beach Sprints, which is set for its Olympic debut at the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics.
Related Class Notes
-
Two years ago, my life expanded when I met Carolee Custus working in an Inuit Art Gallery, we immediately bonded and realized we attended the same high school. We married on June 29, 2024, the first time for either of us. Newlyweds at 55! My milestones since Trent include working for law firms on major Aboriginal Treaty and Title Ligation as Advisor, Researcher, and Database Manager. My graduate work resulted in a settlement of 1.2 billion for Williams Treaties First Nations. Currently, I am a College Professor in Indigenous Studies and Reconciliation and continue my work on Aboriginal Treaty and Title Litigation.
-
Throughout my career, I’m proud to have reached a number of milestones, including being named a Leading Lawyer by both Lexpert and Who's Who Legal as well as most recently being recognized by The Best Lawyers in Canada™ (2025). Since graduating from Trent University, I earned my law degree and have counseled some of Toronto’s major companies as they navigate an ever-evolving employment landscape. The latest step of my professional journey has led me to the world’s largest labour and employment law firm, Littler.
-
I'm thrilled to officially announce the launch of my long-awaited book "Listen to Your Animals: They Know More Than You Think". Have you ever wondered what your animal friends would say if they could talk? Now, you don’t have to imagine anymore. I invite you on a transformative journey into the minds of animals. Through my ability to communicate with creatures of all kinds, I share the powerful insights animals have about their relationships with us, life and death, and their experiences in the afterlife.
