Birthdate: August 16 1996
Hometown: Toronto, ON
Canoe Club: Balmy Beach Canoe Club
Sport: Paracanoë
Coach: Peter Martinek
Erica Scarff starting paddling in 2013 when it was suggested to her by her coach at the time, Mari Ellery at a prothestic clinc. Scarff, a gymnast before her amputation, was already into sports as a teenager despite her disability dabbling in swimming, cycling and alpine skiing. She actually had to chose between racing on slopes or on flatwater!
Scarff burst on the national scene in 2013 earning a gold medal in the K1 200m at the Canadian Championships. She has since represented Canada at many international events, including World Championships and the 2016 Paralympic Games in Rio where she placed 7th in the KL3 200m event.
At age 12, Scarff was diagnosed with Osteosarcoma, a rare form of bone cancer that Terry Fox had. She says she is inspired by how Fox fought the cancer and was able to launch his Marathon of Hope.
