Chris Rimmer

Club OUBC

Year of Birth 1995

Hometown London

Nationality British

College Wycliffe Hall

Undergrad/Graduate Undergraduate

Year 1st

What are you studying? Theology and Religion BA

What is the most interesting part of your course? Do you have any professional or academic plans after? I’m training for ordination in the Church of England so it’s great to delve into the depths of theology full time now before I go into ministry as I’ve never studied it academically before.

Future ambitions? I plan on doing an Ironman with my brother after finishing at Oxford.

How do you balance rowing and academic life? Rowing gives me a focus and takes a chunk of time out of the day so I have to be incredibly efficient with my time. It’s incredibly satisfying though and I never feel like a day is wasted.

When did you start rowing, and why? I started as a fresher in 2015 whilst at Durham University. Always having been tall I was told to try rowing from a young age so when the opportunity arose I gave it a try. I also love challenging myself in all areas and nothing has challenged me more than the sport of rowing.

What was your first club? Durham University.

What is your favourite part of rowing for Oxford? The team camaraderie is certainly a huge part of why I love rowing and training with the same group of people every day. It means you really go through the highs and lows of the sport together. Also having watched the Boat Race my whole life I feel a great sense of pride knowing that I’m part of OUBC and walking that Dark Blue blade down to the landing stage every session.

What’s your rowing history, and what has been your biggest achievement so far? I would say winning novice BUCS Gold Won twice in my first year of rowing at Durham was certainly a highlight however that was soon eclipsed by reaching the semi final of the Prince Albert Challenge Cup for student coxed 4s at Henley in my second year.

Have you raced in the Boat Race before? No.

Your favourite race so far? Quarter final of Henley 2017 against Colgate University USA. It went right down to the wire so it was great to cross the line first.

Do you have any race day habits or superstitions? I always pray before racing.

Your sporting idol? South African cricketing legend AB de Villers.

If you could have any sportsperson in your crew, who would it be? Stan Lou-loudis.

What gets you through a tough session? Do you have a mantra, rituals? Keeping the goal in mind and knowing that all boys are going through the same thing!

Any hobbies, other interests outside rowing? Basically all other sports, football, rugby, tennis, cricket, skiing, etc.

How do you motivate yourself and your teammates, especially with Covid restrictions? The focus on just trying to be the best version of myself and go as quickly as possible either on the water or on the ergs has helped. Also I think positivity goes a long way and keeping up a high level of communication and encouragement with the other members of the squad has been a life saver.