The College warmly congratulates Materials Science students Charlotte Wheatley and James Hopkinson who have been selected for the Women’s and Men’s Lightweight rowing Eights respectively.
It is the first time since 2005 that Queen’s has had a blue or half blue for women’s lightweight rowing. In men’s lightweight rowing, Queen’s has had a rower in the boat every year since 2014, apart from 2020 and 2024. We asked them both to tell us more about their dedication to the sport.
Can you tell us a bit about the commitment and work needed to get you to this point?
Charlotte:
The commitment needed for rowing is quite a lot as we train 12 times a week, sometimes at 5.45 am, before labs at 9 am, and other times at 5.30pm after a long day working. I’ve found myself having to prioritise sleep, often leaving socials early to get the recovery in, and having to spend a crazy amount of time meal prepping! Overall, though, the training is so fun and everyone on the squad is so lovely, kind, and nice to be around that every training session is fun, even the ones where the actual training is super tough!
James:
Being involved with OUBC, whilst extremely rewarding, is also quite a significant time commitment. We train at least 12 times a week both at Iffley Road and also at the Fleming Boathouse in Wallingford. In terms of the work needed to get to where I am now, simply being at these sessions is the bare minimum and I very quickly got to grips with how to maximise my personal development. Whilst ultimately rowing is a team sport, being the best athlete you can be is what will make boats go fast.
How do you balance a Blues commitment with your degree work?
Charlotte:
Balancing the commitment with academic work has been tricky, but I have found that as long as I plan what I’m doing when, I can fit everything in. Especially with my lab work, making sure I don’t waste any time faffing and instead priorities the most important jobs ensures I get everything I need to done.
James:
As a 3rd-year undergraduate, I have had the looming threat of finals for the whole year. Managing a degree alongside 30+ hours of travel and training per week certainly has its fair share of challenges however, finding ways to be as efficient with work, as we are in training, in conjunction with sensible time management (and caffeine) have helped me stay on top of work and revision.
What is the hardest part about playing at this level? And the most enjoyable?
Charlotte:
I’m not sure about the hardest thing; it’s probably the fact that not everything is going to go your way. As you get better and better at rowing and try to look for more ways to improve, there are then more ways it can go wrong. So, I guess it’s knowing that sometimes you won’t meet the high standard you’ve set for yourself, but that’s ok. I personally have also suffered an injury this season that has stopped me from training with the rest of my boat at times, and that was super tough to want to be involved but only be able to watch from the sidelines. However, it was also amazing to watch my friends and teammates getting faster and faster each day.
The most enjoyable thing is 100% the fact that there are so many likeminded people pushing for a common goal. There’s 10 of us always pushing each other to go faster, and we all work hard for each other. There’s no better feeling than flying across the water with your teammates knowing you’re all 100% committed to each other.
There’s no better feeling than flying across the water with your teammates knowing you’re all 100% committed to each other.
James:
The Boat Race season is far from being all sunshine and rainbows. The final weeks running up to selection can be extremely stressful, this is amplified by being pitted against the people you’ve trained with all year. The most enjoyable thing for me is definitely the feeling of being out on the water with such an amazing a group of people who all share a love for the sport.
What advice do you have for someone considering giving rowing a go for the first time?
Charlotte:
My advice for someone who’s thinking of trying rowing is absolutely do! I learnt to row at Queen’s in first year and haven’t looked back since. It has given me so much, I’ve made some of my best friends rowing, and it is truly the most rewarding experience I’ve ever had. From being women’s Co-Captain and President of QCBC to trialling this year, every second has been unforgettable. Rowing is such a fun sport and even if you don’t think you’re very “sporty” you might be surprised at how fun rowing can be.
Rowing has also given me amazing memories, not only from when things go well (like our double blades campaign in 2023) but also when things don’t go to plan, (and you crash into a wall, for example) there is no bonding experience quite like rowing, and the friends and memories I’ve made I’ll always treasure.
James:
Stick at it! Rowing has the benefit of getting out what you put in at every level. Especially whilst at Queen’s, where rowing is very accessible, give it a go and who knows, you might even find yourself enjoying it!
Photos by @nikola_boysova
