Jane Rumball would like to add a few more medals to her collection. At the time of this interview, the six-time Canadian University Rowing Champion was a top contender to represent Canada at the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing.

When did you first try rowing?
Canadian Olympian Don Dickison started a high school rowing program in my home town of Fredericton, New Brunswick. I got into it because my friends were involved.

Do you remember your first impression of the sport?
It was a neat feeling being out on the water and learning something new, but it was kind of scary not knowing if the boat would flip. And I hated the athletic part of it because I had no sports background at all.

How do you get the chance to try out for the Canadian Olympic Team?
The Olympic team is picked from the National Team. I went to the Canada Games in 1997. Then I rowed for Western from 1997 until 2007. I didn’t make the National Team until 2002. It’s quite a big leap from the university circuit to the National Team.

How many women are hoping for a spot on the Olympic Team?
Right now there are 20 people trying out for the 12 spots.

Describe your training schedule.
We train twice a day on the water for two hours. Then we have core and weight training four times a week.

Do you follow a special diet?
Most of us follow Canada’s Food Guide, but as athletes we do need more carbohydrates. It can be a struggle to eat enough; we don’t go for fad diets or supplements.

How do you train during the winter?
The London Rowing Club has an indoor tank and rowing machines. We usually do a 10-day camp every month in the U.S. where we can get out on the water.

What’s your favourite rowing event?
I’m in rowing because I love my team. If there was only the single event, I probably wouldn’t be in the sport. I love the pairs but I also enjoy the eight.

What kind of feeling do you get when you’re on the water?
It’s like walking a tightrope by running across it as fast as you can. It’s about finding that balance between riding that edge while trying to maintain your technique.

Describe your relationship with your rowing partners.
Being part of a team and having a common goal and vision is what gets me up in the morning. You each have your individual role, but you have to rely on and trust each other to make that boat go down the course as fast as possible. You’re constantly trying to be in sync with one another, both physically and mentally.

What would it mean to you to represent Canada in Beijing?
I don’t think words could describe how I would feel. It would fulfill a dream and would be a wonderful end to a long and wonderful career.

What’s the best thing about rowing?
Being out on the water, in the sunshine with a crew that’s working together.

What’s the worst thing?
The first minute after you’re finished a race is pretty painful. You have to remove the lactic acid from your muscles. That’s probably the most brutal thing about the sport.

As an athlete, what do you think about the people who are trying to use the Beijing Olympics to make a point about the political situation in Tibet?
I don’t support the notion of a boycott because as an athlete you’ve trained so hard and you want to go to the Olympics. But the great thing that is happening is that there’s a spotlight on Beijing that didn’t exist to this magnitude beforehand. I hope there will be a peaceful resolution between China and Tibet.