Oriane Grant
Club OUWBC
Year of Birth 1997
Hometown Hayward’s Heath
Nationality British
College St Catherine’s
Undergrad/Graduate Undergraduate
Year 4th (5th year of university, year out at UCL to do a Masters)
What are you studying? Medicine
What is the most interesting part of your course? Do you have any professional or academic plans after? I really enjoy neurology and paediatrics, and aim to become a practising doctor when I graduate, hopefully specialising in surgery.
Future ambitions? To win the Boat Race, complete an Ironman, and row the Atlantic.
How do you balance rowing and academic life? Through lots of multitasking and having good friends who help take notes when I can’t make it to a lecture. Making sure I make the most of my time, but also having some time away from both rowing/work so that I don’t burn out.
When did you start rowing, and why? In 2011 (J13), I was excited about the upcoming Olympics and wanted to get more involved in sport.
What was your first club? Ardingly Rowing Club.
What is your favourite part of rowing for Oxford? My teammates - there’s always a really good relationship between squad members not least because of how much time we spend together and the fact that we all have a big ambition in common.
What’s your rowing history, and what has been your biggest achievement so far? I rowed as a junior with Ardingly Rowing Club, joined the lightweight rowing team at Oxford (OUWLRC) in my first year and rowed with them again in my third but had a back injury before the Boat Race. I also rowed with the University of London Boat Club whilst taking a year out to do a Masters last year. My biggest achievement is probably coming 2nd in the champ academic quad at Four’s Head.
Your favourite race so far? BUCS, lots of fun.
Do you have any race day habits or superstitions? I always have porridge and a coffee for breakfast and pass a bump down the boat before we race.
Your sporting idol? Simone Biles - ridiculously talented and works very hard.
If you could have any sportsperson in your crew, who would it be? My current teammates! Wouldn’t change them.
What gets you through a tough session?
Do you have a mantra, rituals? Some really good music and friends to tough it out with. We like to go for breakfast with each other after hard early sessions (Covid permitting) which is nice to look forward to.
Any hobbies, other interests outside rowing? I previously did ballet for 14 years and try to keep it up when I have time. I also really enjoy cycling. Knitting and embroidery are new lockdown hobbies.
How do you motivate yourself and your teammates, especially with Covid restrictions? We do zoom ergs together which helps a lot, as well as social zooms. Some of the team members delivered little care packages at the beginning of the 2nd lockdown. We’ve also been going on 1-1 socially distant walks with all of our teammates when we can to keep spirits up.