Hi, I’m Gabe Dyer, a rower at the University of Victoria. I’ve always found comfort in routine and knowing what comes next, but sport has taught me that growth often happens when you step into the unknown.
Rowing gave me the courage to transfer schools, move across the country, and trust myself in a new environment. For me, PlaySafe is about creating sport spaces where athletes feel supported enough to take risks, ask questions, and grow.
I’m grateful to be part of a community that has helped me find confidence beyond certainty and shown me that a safe sport environment can give athletes the courage to chart their own path.
Blogs
Finding Joy, Community, and Perspective Through Sport
May, 2026
I am someone who finds peace in the predictable. I would like to know what I’m eating for dinner tomorrow. I like it when the university releases my exam schedule on time and when my roommates make the same corny jokes. I like practice being at the same place and time every single day. I’d much rather know my workouts in advance so I can prepare for the worst, or sometimes the very best, of what sport has to offer.
So, how did someone who craves certainty end up transferring universities, moving across the country, and totally reinventing themselves? How does it make sense that I sought the unknown, all inspired by a sport where I originally looked for routine?
This experience shaped me by introducing me to an environment where I could truly thrive, and it taught me that it’s okay to not know what is just around the corner.
When I first started university, I assumed I’d have to leave sport behind; I didn’t think I’d make the cut for collegiate athletics. But after a week without that major part of my identity, I felt void. I had tried rowing before; admittedly, it wasn’t my favorite and I was not the most talented athlete, but I decided to step outside my comfort zone and show up for novice tryouts. I made the novice team and within a month, I had my four-year path mapped out. Nothing could come between me and my plans of being a top collegiate rower.
But when the time came to choose between my comfortable community and the uncertainty I once feared, I took the leap. I realized that a thriving team culture and a supportive sporting environment aren’t just about staying put; they are about psychological safety.
So when I transferred schools to chase my new dream, I was nervous, of course, but I knew it wasn’t an obstacle, a setback, or a mistake. Diving straight in, I joined the fundraising committee, travelled across Canada to race and even rowed alongside an international crew for a couple of weeks, all within my first year of rowing.
For me, psychological safety meant being in a space where I felt safe to take risks without the fear of being judged for “failing” or not knowing the outcome. It was the trust built within my team that allowed me to trade my 10-step process for a sense of adventure. My coaches and teammates inspired me to challenge myself, teaching me to trust my instincts both on and off the water, even if it meant sacrificing the control that I so desperately sought.
Beyond the boat, I’ve learned to balance this intensity with my life as a student. Whether I’m diving into alumni relationships or exploring the West Coast, I carry that same resilience with me. My sporting community taught me that I don’t need to control every variable to be successful. I just need to trust myself.
Without that culture of support, I’d still be clinging to the predictable. I wouldn’t be seeking out new experiences, asking hard questions, or pushing my own boundaries. I’ve learned that a safe sports environment isn’t just one that protects you; It gives you the courage to set your own course and chart your own path.
Ambassador Socials
My social feature will be in the month of September. That will be when I share what I have been up to as a PlaySafe Athlete Ambassador.
In the meantime, check out some rowing action between me and my fellow compeitior and athlete ambassador Matthias Shorter.
- Brown Cup Recap (April 20)
If you’re interested in following my journey, you can find me here!