Skylar Dahl is an American para-rower who was recently chosen to the senior national squad for 2023. She is the winner of the 2023 ACC Championships (second varsity eight) and the Gold Medalist in the Para-Rowing Regatta to Paris (2023 PR3 mixed four with coxswain). She qualifies for the Para Rowing Paris 2024 as well.
Dahl Earns Paris 2024 Paralympic Games Berth
Skylar Dahl, the University of Virginia junior, will compete at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games, USRowing announced Wednesday (Jan. 17). Dahl is part of the United States PR3 mixed four with coxswain chosen through a selection camp process concluded this past weekend in Sarasota, Florida. PR3 mixed four with coxswain along with PR3 mixed double sculls are the first two crews – Olympic or Paralympic – selected for the Paris 2024 Games.
Coxswain Emelie Eldracher, Ben Washburne, Alex Flynn, and Gemma Wollenschlaeger join Dahl on the crew. Dahl, Eldracher, Washburne, and Flynn were part of the PR3 mixed four that won silver in Belgrade last year, while Wollenschlaeger won silver in PR3 mixed double sculls.
U.S. PR3 mixed double sculls and PR3 four with coxswain crews both won gold medals on Sunday at the 2023 Para Rowing Regatta to Paris, winning finals on the Paralympic course in Vaires-sur-Marne, France. Winning the morning race by over 18 seconds, Wollenschlaeger and Vogt repeated their performance in the afternoon final, clocking 7:33.10 to defeat Germany by 18.32 seconds. Italy finished third.
Who are Skylar Dahl’s Parents, Date of Birth, Family, and Early Life
Skylar Dahl, a para-rower representing the United States, was born on February 10th, 2005 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Her mother’s name is Kari, and her father Andy played basketball at the University of Southern Utah and Augustana. She currently trains for rowing in Charlottesville, Virginia. Dahl stands at a height of 5 feet and 10 inches tall.
She was born with two club feet. In grade school, she played soccer and basketball until the pain in her feet became too much, forcing her to stop. Dahl’s early childhood was marked by surgeries, wearing casts and braces, specialized footwear, physical therapy sessions, and trips to the Children’s Hospital. However, her situation improved over time.
Throughout her years at Centennial High School, where she served as Student Council president and was active in the National Honor Society, Dahl competed with the Twin Cities Youth Rowing Club. Her team experienced enough success that she became a promising prospect for college rowing. After graduating, Skylar Dahl went on to attend the University of Virginia.
It was during her second year at UVA that Dahl was introduced to the Para Rowing Team. Her college coach, Kevin Sauer, introduced her to Ellen Minzner, the USRowing Director of Para High Performance, which kicked off Dahl’s journey into Paralympic rowing.
Skylar Dahl Rowing Career so far
She won gold in the PR3 mixed four with coxswain at the 2023 Para-Rowing Regatta to Paris (PR3 mixed four with coxswain) and was named to the All-ACC Academic Team and ACC Honor Roll in 2023.
In 2019, Skylar placed 10th position in youth four with coxswain at 2019 Head of Charles. Dahl rowed on the Cavaliers’ No. 2 unit and came from behind to edge Duke for first place. At nationals, on May 28 in New Jersey (won by Stanford), there were three races.
In 2023, Dahal finished 10th place in second varsity eight at the 2023 NCAA Women’s Rowing Championships and won second varsity eight at the 2023 ACC Championships. She also won silver in PR3 mixed four with coxswain at the 2023 World Championships.
She won gold in PR3 mixed four with coxswain at the 2023 Para-Rowing Regatta to Paris and was named to the All-ACC Academic Team and ACC Honor Roll in 2023.
