Joseph Rosenfeld

Club OUBC

Year of Birth 2001

Hometown London

Nationality British

College St Hugh’s College

Undergrad/Graduate Undergraduate

Year 1st Year

What are you studying? BA Biomedical Sciences

What is the most interesting part of your course? Do you have any professional or academic plans after? I love learning about the brain and also about the cardiovascular and respiratory systems and how these can relate back to rowing. I might go into research after and continue studying.

Future ambitions? Win the Boat Race. Win the Boat Race again.

How do you balance rowing and academic life? With difficulty, trying to manage my time efficiently so I can fit it all in. It’s important to stay on top of your work so you don’t get behind but you also need to find some time in the week to socialise. Rowing can take up a lot of time but provides a much needed break from academic life.

When did you start rowing, and why? When I moved to St Paul’s because they were really good and I wanted to give it a go. I’d done kayaking before but thought I’d have a go at going backwards and see if that was any better.

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

What is your favourite part of rowing for Oxford? Knowing I’m part of the better club and also the respect that comes with it from other students. I also really love the squad atmosphere and getting to meet a lot of students who I wouldn’t meet otherwise from other years, courses and colleges. It gives you a wide network of people from around the uni and friends for life.

What’s your rowing history, and what has been your biggest achievement so far? I started rowing in 2017 at St Paul’s and spent the year rowing in the 3rd VIII, one of the greatest crews where I got some great experience. In the following season I made the 2nd VIII and raced in a quad in the Fawley Challenge Cup at Henley which was great fun. Rowing at Henley Royal Regatta 2019, 2nd VIII winners at Schools Head 2019, 3rd VIII winners at Schools Head 2018, 6th GB pairs regatta 2019.

Have you raced in the Boat Race before? No.

Your favourite race so far? Henley - nothing quite like it.

Do you have any race day habits or superstitions? I watch ‘Passion’ by Mahe Drysdale - an iconic video for much needed inspiration.

Your sporting idol? Anthony Ervin - an absolute legend with an incredible story that’s quite inspiring. He was an Olympic champion in 2000 and in 2016 and overcame many struggles to get there which is quite impressive.

If you could have any sportsperson in your crew, who would it be? Mahe Drys-dale, the man’s a beast.

What gets you through a tough session? Do you have a mantra, rituals? Just focusing on the task in hand and enjoying the hard work. Trying to take advantage of every session we have especially on the water. Music gets me through my erg sessions, I’m a big fan of some of Sound-cloud’s lesser known artists and also the big bootie mix, an OUBC classic.

Any hobbies, other interests outside rowing? I enjoy loads of sports outside of rowing but equally love going out with my mates when I’m not training. I love travelling.

How do you motivate yourself and your teammates, especially with Covid restrictions? Covid restrictions make it quite difficult but it is important to still try and socialise, while maintaining social distance. I try and bring some positive energy to the squad and leave all of my academic struggles behind me while I’m rowing. Socials are a great way to build the squad atmosphere and keep everyone motivated especially when you aren’t able to train as a group. Having the chance to talk to other members of the squad over Teams during lockdown was really beneficial and the squad group chat kept everyone connected and helped keep us all focused on the goal at hand - to beat Cambridge.