I was first exposed to rowing when my sister started rowing at university in Belfast. I had 2 outings with her to start with, then I had a few lessons with Duncan to the point where I was out in a single. My first memories of rowing was floating into the reeds whilst Duncan was getting the launch out and Mum stood helplessly on the bank witnessing my struggle. Another one was Niamh shouting bow side and stroke side and me asking that she refer to them as left and right.
When I started at Durham I knew that there was a development programme running, so I took part in the 3 week learn to row course, before attending dev squad trials in October. Before my trials I had been invited to pre-dev water sessions, where I went out in a single on the Wear with the dev coach and cox as I was talent identified in the sessions. This recognition was down to the previous experience that I had in Ely in the summer.
I was successful in securing a spot in the DUBC development squad. I got the email during a seminar and immediately called Mum and Dad. We started training on the Friday with a tank session and it took off from there.
The training was very intense from the start, with erg sessions, gym sessions, tank and water sessions. Within the first couple of weeks we started going to Newcastle to row in bigger boats on the Tyne. My first competition was Tyne New Years Head where I stroked the winning 8+ and got my first tankard! We then competed at BUCS head where I came 4th in the 8+ and the 4x.
When I came home from Uni for Easter I trained in Ely a couple of times as I was due to compete at BUCS regatta in a single and quad in a couple of weeks. I had 2 sessions with Duncan where we covered the leg drive and some practice starts. The one-on-one coaching proved invaluable as I went on to make the A final in all 3 of my events, coming 4th in the beginner single and quad categories. On the final day of BUCS I competed in a scratch double as one of my teammates had been injured the previous day. Ellen and I managed to get a bronze medal in the A final. It was an amazing experience to win a medal at BUCS regatta, made even more special when I was able to do it alongside one of my best friends.
Rowing is an intense, challenging but very rewarding sport. You learn so much about yourself from pushing yourself everyday, but coupled with the serenity of being on the water in such beautiful setting as I have been lucky enough to, Durham and Ely, makes for a unique and special sport.
Rowing is also so unique in the way that you can take it up at a later stage and still be massively successful. In the senior squad here at Durham, most of the GB triallists began their rowing career in the development squad as I am now.
Rowing at university this year has been a game changer for me. From the trials to competing at Henley women’s regatta (hopefully) at the end of this season, I have been lucky enough to meet some of my closest friends. Nothing brings you together more than sport, especially one as challenging as rowing. I have learnt a lot through pushing myself everyday in the gym and on the erg and learning the techniques of sculling and sweeping has been an exciting new challenge.
Rowing at DUBC has had a huge positive impact on my experience of first year at Durham, which would not have been possible without Ely rowing club who introduced me to the sport and helped me to win a BUCS bronze after rowing for only 8 months.
To anyone who is considering taking up rowing I would strongly advise them to do so, especially in a place as idyllic and with such supportive and committed coaches that Ely offers. A combination of fantastic coaching and a willingness to learn will take you a long way in rowing.
Jason Harre
