Meet our Coaches AND STAFF

HORACIO TENDILLA, HeaD TECHNICAL COACH, JUNIOR/U23/SENIOR/MASTERS PROGRAMS

Horacio Tendilla is the Club’s Head Technical Coach, as well as Head Coach for Hanlan’s Junior Development, Junior Competitive, and U23 / Senior Competitive programs.

Horacio started his rowing career in 1976 in Mexico and rowed for many years on Mexico’s national rowing team, where he later became the Director of Talent Development. After immigrating to Canada in 2008, Horacio worked as Director of Rowing and Head Coach at several Ontario rowing clubs, where has had repeated success in both growing rowing programs and developing rowers to compete at the highest levels. He has also coached at the provincial level, training Ontario’s top U19 rowers for provincial, national and international competitions.

Please contact horacio@hanlanboatclub.ca with any questions you have about our competitive rowing programs.

COACH Tony Tremain

Tony has extensive experience coaching all levels of rowers at Hanlan since 1984. In addition to helping Hanlan’s athletes improve their technique, he also supports our coaching staff with on-the-water feedback and off-the-water professional development advice as Managing Director of the Hanlan Coaching Centre of Excellence.

Tony can be reached at tony@hanlanboatclub.ca

Eric Szonyi, TMU HEAD COACH AND HANLAN COMPETITIVE COACH

Eric has been rowing at Hanlan since 1984 and continues to train and compete as a masters rower. He is the Head Coach of Hanlan’s Toronto Metropolitan University rowing program, and has also coached coached high school, university, masters and junior rowers. Eric enjoys sharing his passion and knowledge of the sport and aims to bring out the best in his athletes.

Kelly Brigley, TMU ASSISTANT Coach

A competitive figure skater in her youth, Kelly discovered rowing more than two decades ago and has loved it ever since. A longtime member at Hanlan, Kelly has volunteered in almost every capacity, from Board Director to Club Captain to Masters Competitive Coach. She now looks forward to helping Toronto Metropolitan University students build their own successful rowing program while sharing her expertise about the sport on and off the water.

Melanie Mcneill, TMU ASSISTANT Coach

Melanie has been rowing since 2010, and has been a Hanlan member for most of that time. While 2025 marks her first full year of coaching, Melanie felt that, as an alumnae of Toronto Metropolitan University, she absolutely had to get involved. She loves introducing new athletes to the awesomeness of rowing, and seeing them fall in love with it too. (Driving the coach boat isn't too bad either!)

CODY TOPS, ASSISTANT COACH

Cody learned to row in Newfoundland, and transitioned into coaching after competing at the Canada Games in 2017. What excites him most about rowing at Hanlan is how much exposure you can have, be it during competitions or during community-based rowing experiences.

ADELAIDE WIMPENNY, ASSISTANT COACH

Adelaide coached at Mic Mac Amateur Aquatic Club before coming to Hanlan, where she works with all of our junior, senior and masters competitive athletes.

NICOLA WORSFOLD, ASSISTANT Coach

Nicola has rowed and coached off and on at different Toronto-area clubs since 1989. She loves the welcoming community at Hanlan and the adventure of rowing on Lake Ontario.

From left to right, Coaches Cody Tops, Eric Szonyi, and Nicola Worsfold