Sam Vosper

Club CUBC Men

Year of Birth 1990

Hometown Durban

Nationality South African/British

College Magdalene

Undergrad/Graduate PhD

Year 4th

What are you studying? Land Economy

What is the most interesting part of your course? Do you have any professional or academic plans after? I supervise for a couple of undergraduate and Masters papers, and supervising other members of the team is always fun. I find the academic environment here super interesting overall. There are just so many people with cool ideas to share. However, it is probably about time I move on from university and get a real job. Broadly, I would like to work in the sustainability and economic development space.

Future ambitions? Go on holiday.

How do you balance rowing and academic life? At times you live in extremes but things all balance out in the end. I think you help to seek balance over a longer period rather than day to day or even week to week. Some days/weeks rowing will just have to be the focus and you have to find the time to priortise work.

When did you start rowing, and why? 2010 - I went to a pretty sick party at the university rowing club and I thought this could be my vibe. Never looked back… or always look back now…not sure.

What was your first club? Rhodes University Rowing Club.

What is your favourite part of rowing for Cambridge? The boys. The vibe of the club here is great and we have a pretty good time. It’s never guaranteed that you will have this sort of atmosphere in a team so we are lucky with that. It makes a huge difference when you have some long hard miles to do and you are still able to enjoy the time with your mates.

What’s your rowing history, and what has been your biggest achievement so far? I rowed for for four years at university in South Africa and then at Magdalene and CUBC since returning to university in the UK. Getting the Magdalene College boat to its highest ever finish position in 200 years in the May bumps (2nd) a couple years back also felt like quite an achievment.

Have you raced in the Boat Race before? If yes, when? Yes... oh wait it didn’t happen last year.

Your favourite race so far? The Boat Race.... oh wait no...

Do you have any race day habits or superstitions? Not really. I do like observing the habits of other people though. If only I knew what was playing in all those headphones.

Your sporting idol? My dad taught me to play most sports growing up and he definitely is the reason I got so stuck into it. I still enjoy being able to play tennis with him whenever I am able to visit.

If you could have any sportsperson in your crew, who would it be? Nick Cum-mins would bring some good chat to the bows and also some valuable insights to the post row debrief.

What gets you through a tough session? Do you have a mantra, rituals? Mozzarella.

Any hobbies, other interests outside rowing? I like fixing up old bikes and doing other DIY projects. After the race I am planning to build a bike to do some riding over the summer once the weather is too nice to be rowing.

How do you motivate yourself and your teammates, especially with Covid restrictions? It’s just about the vibe mostly.