Holden Eaton

Club OUBC

Year of Birth 2000

Hometown London

Nationality British

College Merton

Undergrad/Graduate Undergraduate

Year 2nd

What are you studying? Preclinical Medicine

What is the most interesting part of your course? Do you have any professional or academic plans after? I’ve really enjoyed the neuroscience aspect of my course - learning about how our brains convert sensory information into a conscious perception of the world around us.

Future ambitions? Clinical doctor, although currently not sure what field/discipline.

How do you balance rowing and academic life? Being organised and proactive in scheduling academic commitments alongside rowing means you can take control of your free time early on. This makes life a lot easier when work picks up. I also try to make the most of days off and free afternoons by getting ahead on work. Communicating with team mates and coaches about my schedule at the beginning of the week also means they can work around me. That helps me fit in sessions where I can.

When did you start rowing, and why? I began rowing at school in year 9, initially because one my friends had tried it and I was tempted by the thought of spending lunch breaks out on the Thames.

What was your first club? St Paul’s School Boat Club.

What is your favourite part of rowing for Oxford? The team atmosphere. Given the amount of time we spend training, you really come to appreciate having a team of like-minded guys around you to keep things fun and positive. It’s also an incredible opportunity being around such skilled athletes - it really helps to have so much experience to draw on during sessions.

What’s your rowing history, and what has been your biggest achievement so far? I rowed for my school 2nd VIII in 2017/18, and 1st VIII 2018/19. Some of my favorite races/biggest achievements include: HOCR youth eights 2018 (2nd), National Schools’ Regatta 2019 Ch8+ and Ch4- (1st, 1st) and Henley PE 2019 (Semi-final).

Have you raced in the Boat Race before? If yes, when? No.

Your favourite race so far? National Schools’ Ch8+ Final 2019.

Do you have any race day habits or superstitions? Not really - I generally just try to make sure I’m as mentally ready to race as possible, usually with the help of some good music to get me hyped.

Your sporting idol? Alex Gregory.

If you could have any sportsperson in your crew, who would it be? Josh Dunkley-Smith.

What gets you through a tough session? Do you have a mantra, rituals? A good playlist and keeping positive makes putting in work for a hard session feel a whole lot easier.

Any hobbies, other interests outside rowing? I love spending time hiking/ski-ing in the Colorado wilderness - it provides a stark contrast with the stress and fast-paced atmosphere of Oxford.

How do you motivate yourself and your teammates, especially with Covid restrictions? Reminding myself and my teammates that each session is a chance to beat Cambridge, regardless of what Covid restrictions are in place. Ultimately we’re all here because we want to race and knowing that you put in the hard miles makes a massive impact on the start line come race day.