Social Events
Below is a list of FISU Social Activities and details. All athletes are welcome to attend, please wear your accreditation. If you have any questions, please contact Cassie Ellis at cellis42@uwo.ca.
Please review the timing to ensure you do not miss bus/walking departures. FISU London Committee Members will be present to meet you at each event.
For events that require registration as indicated below, registration can be found at this link:
**REGISTER FOR EVENTS HERE**
Sunday, August 9
Yoga
Unwind with a relaxing yoga practice to help settle in and stretch after a long day of travel.
7:00 PM – 8:00PM
Faculty of Education Building – Erg room
Please meet in the Ontario Hall lobby by 6:40pm.
Monday, August 10
Rigging Clinic with Volker and Hudson Boat Works
Test things out with the boats under the guide and expertise of Dr. Volker Nolte and Hudson Boat Works.
2:00 PM – 2:30PM
Meet at Hudson Boat Works Rigging Station at Fanshawe Lake.
Labatt Brewery Tour
Experience a guided tour of the Labatt Brewery, which has been a proud part of the London community for more than 175 years, brewing on the same site along the Thames River since its founding in 1847. Labatt is part of the AB InBev portfolio that spans brands such as Labatt, Budweiser, Bud Light, Stella Artois, Alexander Keith’s and others
4:30 PM – 6:30PM
Please note this is open to a maximum of 25 coaches only and requires advanced registration.
Please meet in the Ontario Hall lobby by 3:45pm for bus departure.
The tour takes about 2 hours to complete and includes a full guided tour of the brewery, and samplings. Everyone on the tour must wear closed toe, closed heel and flat footwear (running shoes preferred), and long sleeve shirts for safety when on the bottle line. The tour is not wheelchair accessible as three sets of stairs are involved.
**REGISTRATION REQUIRED USE ABOVE LINK**
Lecture Series: Healthy Rowing for Life, by Steve Di Ciacca
Join us for a special presentation by Team Canada’s sport medicine professional, Steve Di Ciacca, on key things athletes should be doing in addition to training to help maintain their availability to train: prevent injury and illness. In addition, Steve will share how to transition beyond high-performance training into general life well being.
7:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Health Science Building (HSB-40)
Please meet in the Ontario Hall lobby by 6:40pm.
Speaker Bio
Steve Di Ciacca is a veteran sports therapist and sport scientist who has dedicated his career to supporting Canadian National Rowing Teams in the daily training environment and on the world stage. Specializing in rowing-specific sports medicine and science, Steve’s philosophy centers on maintaining an athlete’s availability to train that supports maximizing performance success.
Presentation Abstract
Missing as little as 10% of training volume can have a significant effect on an athlete’s success in reaching their performance goals. In this discussion, Steve will highlight critical, yet often under-prioritized, “other” variables—strength and mobility, effective recovery, sleep, nutrition, and injury or illness prevention—that directly support an athlete’s ability to train and improve performance. Moving beyond the podium, Steve will conclude with a glimpse into how to transition these exact elite principles into life after high-performance sport, empowering you to build sustainable habits for an active, healthy lifestyle that supports long-term health and wellness.
Tuesday, August 11
Hudson Boat Works Tour
Tour the factory where Hudson Boat Works builds their world class boats.
1:00 PM – 3:00 PM
Meet at Hudson Boat Works Rigging Station at Lake by 12:30pm for bus departure.
Lecture Series: Rowing Faster, by Dr. Volker Nölte
Please join us for this special presentation from a leading expert in the Rowing Community – Dr. Volker Nolte will focus on major attributes that will help you succeed long term. In addition to sharing his thoughts on performance, Volker will share stories and highlights from his published books.
7:00 PM – 8:00 PM
NOTE LOCATION CHANGE: Ontario Hall 1C10
Wednesday, August 12
Rigging Clinic with Dr. Volker Nolte and Hudson Boat Works
Test things out with the boats under the guide and expertise of Dr. Volker Nolte and Hudson Boat Works.
10:00 AM– 10:30 AM
Meet at Hudson Boat Works Rigging Station at Fanshawe Lake.
Western Outdoor Market
For those at Western campus, stop by the outdoor market to listen to live music, pick up a tasty treat, pick up lunch from food trucks, or buy a local souvenir.
10:00–2:00 PM
University College Hill at Western University
Learn more here: https://www.uwo.ca/events/recurring/western-farmers-market.html
Indigenous Educational and Cultural Activity
Enjoy learning about local indigenous traditions from a facilitator at our Indigenous Learning Centre. You’ll be making your own 2-row Wampum (beads) and enjoy traditional snacks while learning about the London area’s local indigenous history.
12:30 PM – 2:30 PM
Wampum Learning Lodge
Please meet in the lobby of Ontario Hall by 12:15pm. This activity is open to a maximum of 25 athletes and requires advanced registration.
**REGISTRATION REQUIRED USE LINK ABOVE**
London 2026 FISU World University Championships Rowing Opening Ceremony
3:00 PM – 5:00 PM
Ronald D. Schmeichel Building for Entrepreneurship and Innovation
Athletes are to meet at the Ontario Hall Lobby at 2:30 PM. Please review the provided instructions.
Lecture Series: Rigging with Dr. Volker Nolte
This presentation will focus on Rigging and discuss theories and tips.
6:00 PM – 7:00 PM
NOTE LOCATION CHANGE: Ontario Hall 1C10
Canadian Sport Film Festival Movie
Join us for a special screening of three short films provided by the Canadian Sport Film Festival along with a complementary popcorn and drink.
6:30 PM – 8:00 PM
Please meet in the lobby of Ontario Hall by 6 PM. The McKeller Movie Theatre is located on the second floor of the University Community Centre (UCC).
Thursday, August 13
Therapy Dogs and Movie Night
Take a break and de-stress with London’s very own therapy dogs. Drop by for a quick cuddle or stay for a while.
6:00 PM – 7:30 PM
Ontario Hall
Meet in the lobby of Ontario Hall for 6 PM. Please note that food and beverages are not allowed in with the dogs.
NTO / ITO Dinner
6:00PM – 8:00 PM
Great Canadian Brewhouse
1701 Richmond Street
London, ON N5X 3Y2
Please meet in the Huron College lobby at 5:30 PM for bus departure. Those driving, please meet at the Great Canadian Brewhouse for 6 PM.
Friday, August 14
Labatt Memorial Park Tour
Experience a guided tour of Labatt Park, the World’s Oldest Baseball Grounds
2:00 PM – 3:30 PM
Labatt Memorial Park
Meet in the Ontario Hall lobby for 1:30pm for bus departure.
This experience is only open to a maximum of 40 participants and requires advanced registration.
**REGISTRATION REQUIRED**
Guided Meditation
Guided meditation can help athletes cultivate mind-body awareness. It enables you to remain fully present and aware without judgment. Join us for this structured recovery session.
4:30 PM – 5:00 PM
NOTE LOCATION CHANGE: Ontario Hall 1C10
London Majors Baseball Game
The London Majors are a professional baseball team in the Canadian Baseball League. Whether your a fan of the sport or new to the game, come out for a night of baseball!
7:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Labatt Memorial Park
PLEASE NOTE MEET TIME HAS MOVED SLIGHTLY EARLIER: Please meet in the Ontario Hall Lobby by 6:00PM for bus departure.
**REGISTRATION REQUIRED**
Saturday, August 15
Awards / Medals / Closing Ceremony
3:00 PM – 4:00 PM
Fanshawe Lake – Fanshawe Conservation Area
Podium/Stage Area
Coaches Appreciation Social
6:45 PM
Toboggan Brewing Company
Thank you for everything you do! Once you finish eating in Ontario Hall, please meet in the Ontario Hall Lobby to catch a bus at 6:45pm. We’ll head down to a local restaurant, Toboggan Brewing Company, and celebrate the week. **REGISTRATION REQUIRED**