Last Word

Since 2016, I have had the privilege of serving as Head Rowing Coach at Clare Boat Club—one of Cambridge’s most historic and spirited college boat clubs.

My rowing journey began at age 11 (50 years ago!) when I started coxing for the Association of Cambridge University Assistants (ACUA). Inspired by a photo of my dad in a rowing boat, I thought, “That looks like fun.”

Over the years, I have rowed for many Cambridge town clubs with varying degrees of success, all while juggling a career as an electrician. I began coaching when my brother returned to Cambridge as Head Coach at Downing. I learned a great deal from him, both the psychology and technical intricacies of the sport, and found that I enjoyed helping lower boats to develop. That’s when I discovered the real buzz: watching people grow and enjoy rowing.

Later, I coached the novice intake at Pembroke College Boat Club alongside my old friend Kevin Bowles, Pembroke’s Head Coach and Boatman. Kevin’s forthright approach to rowing left a lasting impression. I eventually coached the Pembroke men’s first boat for a year, nearly clinching a headship – though that’s a long story!

In 2016, I was offered a temporary role at Clare while their boatman took a sabbatical. Nearly ten years later, I’m still here. Since then, I have overseen the development of Clare’s rowing programme, trying to get a balance of high performance and a strong sense of club spirit, both on and off the river. My goal has always been to share the knowledge I have gathered over the years, hoping that students will fall in love with the sport and enjoy it at whatever level they choose to pursue it.

A typical term-time day starts before sunrise – any alarm beginning with a “5” is never welcome! After a short hop from my narrowboat to the club and a strong coffee, I’m ready to meet the day. Crews arrive about 20 minutes before push-off to wake up and get mobile. Mornings on the river are busy, and finding clear water for workouts is always a challenge. Any downtime becomes “tech time,” and if we’re lucky, we squeeze in a double lock run before the crews rush off to their 9 a.m. lectures. Then, the boathouse falls silent – time for breakfast. The rest of the day is filled with boat repairs, admin, and compiling training programmes. There is always something to do!

During my time at Clare, our crews have made consistent strides in both Lent and May Bumps. While the competition is literally ‘up and down,’ we have had notable blades-winning campaigns and maintained a steady presence in the upper divisions. This year’s Lents campaign was particularly special, with both M1 and M2 earning blades.

It's about helping shape well-rounded individuals on the water and beyond.

But coaching at Clare has never been just about medals or blades. It’s about helping shape well-rounded individuals on the water and beyond. Watching students grow in confidence and ability, often arriving with little to no experience, is incredibly rewarding. They develop not just physically, but mentally, gaining life skills that complement their academic achievements.

Every Michaelmas, the novice intake brings fresh energy. At the novice BBQ squash, (my burger flipping skills are legendary), it’s heartwarming to see existing members proudly showcase the club and equipment, explaining how everything works; it’s no surprise that rowing is often described as infectious. I have seen many novices show an immediate aptitude and go on to play pivotal roles in the club.

What is truly remarkable is the legacy left by past members, who obviously enjoyed their time at the boat club. Their generosity ensures rowing remains free and accessible to anyone who wants to try it, funding boats, equipment, and race fees.

I am really excited about the emerging plans to upgrade and develop the boathouse. These improvements will provide much-needed gym space, accessible changing areas, social spaces, and a tidy workshop! They will future proof the success and wellbeing of Clare students for years to come. I hope to be around to see it all come to fruition.

Teaching the rowing stroke is straightforward – it’s a simple cycle. But the nuances of the sport, the people, the races, and the memories keep the job exciting, challenging, and always a pleasure. Looking ahead, I remain committed to developing the next generations of Clare rowers as long as they will have me, helping them push limits, pull together, and row proud in black and yellow.