Coxing Cambridge
to Boat Race Victory

Nigel: Congratulations on coxing the Cambridge women’s Blue Boat to victory against Oxford on the Tideway on April 3rd. We’ll return to that race later, but first tell me how you got into rowing.

Jasper: I come from a rowing family. My father rowed in the winning Cambridge crews in the 1994 and 1995 races, my mother is an experienced cox and my brother is the stroke of this year’s men’s Blue Boat! I learned to row at St Paul’s School, half way along the Boat Race course but, because I was quite short in my early teens, I took to coxing rather than rowing.

Nigel: I know this is your first year in Cambridge. What course are you on, and how has academic life fitted in with sport?

Jasper: I read Computer Science, which turns out to be feasible to do alongside rowing. Each winter week I did about 7 sessions on the River Ouse at Ely and another 5 land-training sessions in Cambridge. The schedule has been manageable; rowers get used to allocating their time effectively!

Nigel: How does the selection process work within the Cambridge University Boat Club (CUBC) squad?

Jasper: I coxed both men’s and women’s crews, before being chosen for the women’s Blue Boat. You’re assessed on how you communicate coaching advice to the crew and on your motivational style during training and racing. My knowledge of the tidal conditions on the Thames was obviously another factor in my selection.

Nigel: Explain how the Boat Race works from a cox’s viewpoint.

Jasper: We race upstream over the 4.2 miles from Putney to Mortlake on an incoming tide that peaks about 10 kph. The cox tries to keep their boat in the tidal stream to add to the rowers’ power. The two crews start side-by-side so there is competition for the fastest stream, with the following umpire keeping the boats on either side of it. When the faster boat has overtaken the slower, it is allowed to cross in front into midstream.

Nigel: You were both praised and criticised for a crucial overtaking move early in the race, variously described as brilliant, bold, assertive, risky or aggressive! Talk us through the move from your viewpoint.

Jasper: We moved steadily up on Oxford off the start and, at about four minutes, I felt we had good momentum. I called a strong push until there was clear water between us and Oxford. Then I eased our boat across so that Oxford had to row through the rough water created by our stroke-side blades. I regularly checked that Oxford were still dropping back from us. They had one big push themselves, then didn’t challenge again. I felt I was within the race rules all the way, and fortunately the umpire agreed.

Nigel: Describe the feeling at the finish post.

Jasper: Elation and relief. Oxford were only a couple of lengths behind and pushed us all the way; credit to them.

Nigel: Finally, will you have time to get involved with Clare Boat Club before the 2023 Boat Race campaign begins.

Jasper: I hope so. I’ve met some of the first-year rowers and been impressed with how much they enjoy rowing in Clare. Rather than coxing all term, I’d like to get some rowing in. I’m looking forward to it.