For Team Manitoba sailors Megan Burns and Gael Maramot, the 2025 Canada Summer Games weren’t just a competition — they were the culmination of years of passion, perseverance, and a deep love for the water.

Both 19 and based in Winnipeg, Megan and Gael brought not only competitive drive but also a strong coaching background into these Games — something that’s deeply valuable for young athletes. 

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Megan Burns: "Sailing's in my blood"

For Megan, sailing is a family legacy.

 "I started sailing when I was super young because my whole entire family is obsessed with the sport," she shared. “Some of my earliest pictures are of me on a little sailboat with my dad.” 

That early exposure turned into a lifelong passion — one she shares with others as a coach at the Black Sturgeon Sailing Club.

While the thrill of competition still fuels her, Megan says her motivation has evolved. 

“As a coach, you're trying to help these kids develop their sport and their passion. But as they develop, I feel that I need to develop with them. I can't give them that coaching experience without growing myself.”

That dual role — athlete and mentor — has taken her beyond what competition alone ever could. 

“I never competed at the Manitoba Games because I was too old at the time,” Megan explained, “So going to Dauphin was really cool and that was the first games experience.

When asked about her coaching philosophy, Megan keeps it simple but meaningful.

“Just keep kids in sailing, at any level.”

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Gael Maramot: "Once I started, I just couldn’t stop.”

Gael's sailing journey began a little differently — with the Sea Cadet program at age 12. 

“One of the activities that is included within that program is to go sailing. And I had a weekend out in Gimli and I enjoyed it. I've kind of grown as a sailor and learned most of my skills through the cadet program,” she recalls.

What first drew her in was the opportunity. 

"Since cadets is a nationwide program, I’ve had more opportunities come from traveling to different places, so I've been able to travel to Kingston or Calgary or Victoria to help coach.” 

For Gael, sailing is the kind of sport where you’re never truly done learning.

“There's always room for improvement. It's such a theory-based and knowledge-based sport that there's so much that could be improved upon whether it can be like you yourself, your physicality or how you move in the boat.”

Like Megan, Gael was inspired to become a coach by the mentors she had growing up. 

“The coaches who've always who have made the most impact on me, have always just been so enthusiastic, so. available with knowledge that I wanted to replicate that and be that role model for the next generation of sailors.”

Her coaching has taken her to places competing hasn’t. But no matter where she goes, her coaching philosophy remains the same.

“Be adaptable to each and every one of the kids to give them the experience that they want out of sailing. I know some kids are super into racing and super competitive and enjoy the theoretical knowledge aspect of racing, so being able to provide that side for them, so that they get the most out of the experience, whereas there are some kids who are just there for fun, just enjoy being in the boat, and just, tailoring as much as you can to tailor to each individual need.”

At the 2025 Canada Games, Megan and Gael weren’t just sailing for medals. They were sailing for growth — theirs and their athletes'. They brought a mix of high-level competitive experience and coaching insight, strengthening their team, and the future of Manitoba sailing.