See How She Got Started in the OUA

Anchored in the efforts to spotlight Ontario University Athletics (OUA) student-athletes, the initiative See How She Got Started showcases and tells the story of how some of the conference’s talented student-athletes first got involved in sport and have made their way to the varsity stage on which they currently shine.  It is also hoped that their stories can inspire young athletes to aspire to compete in varsity-level sports.

 

 

Meet OUA Student-Athlete Riana Deroy

University - 

University of Ottawa

 

Sport -

Nordic Skiing

 

Year of Eligibility -

2nd Year

 

Hometown - 

Gatineau, Quebec

 

Program of Study - 

Physics & Mathematics 

 

 

How did you first get involved in your sport?

I was orginally introduced to the cross country skiing by my dad at five or six years old.  This past year, I chose to email the cross country team coach about getting back into sport after not skiing for a couple of seasons. 

 

What most interested you about your sport that made you want to pursue it at a high level?

I think what interested mey the most about pursuing nordic skiing at a high is level is that it's a low impact sport - I have grandma knees. There are also events/practices that take place near where I live. And it's something I’ve enjoyed doing and provides with a good cardio workout.  

 

Was there a specific moment/experience that led you to believe you could compete in your sport at a high level, and if so, what was it?

Last summer I planted trees in British Columbia. While out there, I learned so much including how much more my body can do when I actually push myself.  Cross country skiing is something I hadn’t done in a while but is something I love. I initially didn’t want to even race at all. 

 

What is your fondest memory/experience of being involved in your sport thus far?

I think my fondest memories are all the times when I went out skiing with my dad around a local lake trails until our cheeks were red.  

 

Is there someone who inspires you to continue to pursue your sport at this high level (i.e., coach, professional athlete, family member, etc.) and what makes them an inspiration to you?

For me, the two people that inspire to pursue nordic skiing at a high level is my dad and Sheila, our team's head coach. As I said above, I initially wasn’t too fond of the idea of racing/being competitive. I had been out of the sport for a while.  But Sheila has been very encouraging to start local and push myself out of my comfort zone. She’s a badass boss chick. 

 

What excites you most about continuing your athletic journey at the varsity level within the OUA?

What excites me the most about continuing my varsity sport journey within the OUA is the opportunity to be a part of an awesome team; the chance to get to know my teammates better; and the chance to make so many memories. It also provides me with an opportunity to travel and to push myself out of my comfort zone.  

 

 

What is/are some of the more unique aspect(s) of your sport that others may not know about? 

I often get told by my friends that cross country (nordic) skiing is “for old people”. While it may not be as extreme as downhill skiing, I definitely believe that it’s not boring like people say it is.     

 

If someone else was looking to start playing your sport, what one piece of advice would you give them to get them started?

If someone were looking to start in the sport of nordic skiing, I would say that secondhand is your friend.  It's a damn expensive sport, and, while getting good gear is important to make sure you have a good time, unfortunately good gear isn’t cheap. Websites like Kijiji and Facebook Marketplace are great places to look for second hand equipment.

 

What is one critical thing that you do to try to continue to experience improvement within your sport (i.e., specific drill/exercise, training regimen, routine, etc.)?

One key thing that I try to do is stay on top of cardio workouts. It means cycling when i can, stationary bike workouts when it’s yucky outside and lots of walking to keep the legs strong. I also try to eat well and include lots of protein, fruits, and vegetables in my daily diet.  

 

What would you say to your 10-year-old self about playing and staying in sport?

I would definitely tell my 10-year-old self to just keep at it and and ask to go a lot. The ski season isn’t the longest where I skied as a child so it's important to make the most of the key months we have in which to ski.    

 

Is there one strategy that you find works well for you in creating a positive student/athlete balance in your life?

For me ,I treat school like a full time job and sports as extracurriculars. I typically study and do my homework during any down time I have each day from 8:30-3:30pm.  After 3:30pm, I let myself have “fun” time. Whether that's watching a movie, doing a workout, training with the team, or seeing friends. Whatever. I also try to stay about a week ahead of lectures which means staying on top of readings is crucial for me. 

 

SeeWhatSheCanDo

Head to the SWSCD Athlete Advisor, your online athletic business directory. Find, rate and review programs, local community offerings and businesses that will help you do your thing.  

Start a group around a physical activity in your neighbourhood. Explore events. Check out our SWSCD Hub.

Look for advice, stories, news and more on our Cross Country Skiing activity page.  

Have a sport, recreation or physical activity accomplishment you'd like to celebrate and shout out through SWSCD?  Become a SWSCD member and share your story directly on SeeWhatSheCanDo. Or, simply add the hashtag #seewhatshecando to your public social media posts and SWSCD can help you inspire others around you.