"It's exciting, there's nothing else like it," said Kok.

On the waters of Shunyi Rowing-Canoeing Park, the Canadian duo of Kok, 24, and Cameron, 33, out-rowed the Germans by 0.004 seconds for Canada's first women's lightweight medal since the event was added to the Olympics in 1996. The gold medal was won by the Dutch and Finland, silver.

The two are very different personalities, according to their coach, Al Morrow.

"The bow girl (Kok) is very serious and intense. They're kind of an odd couple that work well together," Morrow told the Toronto Star. "(Cameron) is just bubbly and happy and smiley."

Nine years of age separates the two, but Kok said age doesn't matter in terms of team chemistry.

"We started rowing about the same time. (Cameron) is great. She brings a lot of international experience," Kok said. "But I think I bring a lot to the table, too."

Kok began her rowing career at Eden High School where she helped the school's coxed four win the American high school championships and Canadian Secondary School Rowing Association championships.

Soon after, she was offered a rowing scholarship to the University of Virginia, where she studied psychology. In the summers of 2003 and 2004 she rowed and trained with the Ridley Graduate Boat Club. She remembers winning seven golds in the Henley Regatta, the annual event which draws more than 2,700 athletes from 131 countries.

"When I think of St. Catharines, I think of the Henley Regatta," Kok said. "The regatta has international competition and it's definitely a lot of fun."

Before her Olympic medal, Kok was St. Catharines' 2005 athlete of the year after she won gold with Canada's lightweight women's quad at the world championship in Gifu, Japan.

It was this year Kok teamed up with Cameron. They started building their success when they earned bronze in the lightweight women's double at the World Cup in Switzerland and then gold at the World Cup in Poznan, Poland.