Amy Hosking
Club OUWBC
Year of Birth 1998
Hometown Nottingham
Nationality British
College Jesus
Undergrad/Graduate Undergraduate
Year 4th
What are you studying? Classics
What is the most interesting part of your course? Do you have any professional or academic plans after? I really like the philosophy and Roman history sections of my course. There is so much choice studying Classics at Oxford, with 80 options to choose from for Finals. I really like all the tutors who have taught me and feel really grateful that I can learn from some of the leading academics in the world. I have had the opportunity to be taught by many academics from all sorts of colleges which I think is really interesting and dynamic.
Future ambitions? To go into the education sector. I’d like to be a teacher initially and progress from there. I’d like to be the headteacher of an internerational school overseas, or work in forming educational policy.
How do you balance rowing and academic life? I plan everything very meticulously. I have a diary where I write down all my commitments: academic, rowing and social. This helps keep me on track and organised.
When did you start rowing, and why? I started rowing as a fresher with my college, mainly because all my friends were going along to the BBQ in 1st week and I didn’t want to be left out. I’m so glad I did. I have always been sporty and thought I ought to give rowing a go while being at Oxford. It was really fun to row for college for my first two years alongside all my friends and participate in bumps racing. It gave me a sense of structure and routine which especially helped with trying to navigate the trickiness of the first year. I rowed for my college for two years before trialling for the lightweights in 2019, and OUWBC in 2020.
What was your first club? Jesus College Boat Club.
What is your favourite part of rowing for Oxford? My teammates. They’re so lovely and I’m so lucky to see them every day. It provides me with a support system outside of college which I think is so important while being at Oxford. Also, being part of such a historic boat club and having the opportunity to row in such a historic race is really special too.
What’s your rowing history, and what has been your biggest achievement so far? Rowing in the 2020 Lightweight Boat Race, in its first year for women on the Tideway. It took quite a lot of grit and determination to be selected and I feel really proud to have raced. I think its taking place on the Tideway for the first time added to the excitement and nerves.
Have you raced in the Boat Race before?
If yes, when? No.
Your favourite race so far? The Lightweight Boat Race. I feel really proud to have raced alongside the eight other girls in my boat in tricky conditions.
Do you have any race day habits or superstitions? I tend to just listen to music and try not to worry about what’s going to happen. It’s important for me to stay focused on the goal and control the controllable, as clichéd as that sounds.
Your sporting idol? Paula Radcliffe. She is super strong and resilient and a really impressive athlete.
What gets you through a tough session?
Do you have a mantra, rituals? I try and focus on the fact that everyone else is also finding it really hard. Doing tough sessions with other people is always motivating and this is something I really missed in lockdown.
Any hobbies, other interests outside rowing? I’m a keen marathon runner and cyclist. I ran the 2016 London Marathon and ran competitively as a junior in shorter distances. I really enjoy all aspects of triathlon and am really glad that these three sports act as effective cross training for rowing on occasions. I also really like cooking and reading.
How do you motivate yourself and your teammates, especially with Covid restrictions? I think of beating Cambridge! Also I remind myself that we are so lucky to be a part of this boat club and have the opportunity to train and study to such a high level.