Adam Teece

Club OUBC

Year of Birth 1998

Hometown Newbury

Nationality British

College Hertford

Undergrad/Graduate Masters

Year 1st

What are you studying? History

What is the most interesting part of your course? Do you have any professional or academic plans after? The most interesting part of my course is the research I am carrying out on the Friedensfahrt - an Eastern Bloc cycling race that became hugely popular in East Germany - and its impact on socialist national identity in the GDR. I plan to continue my studies as a PhD student next year.

Future ambitions? In rowing, to win the Boat Race, in terms of a career, to continue in academia.

How do you balance rowing and academic life? Using small chunks of free time between classes and training sessions to get work, and prioritising sleep so that time spent both training and working is more productive.

When did you start rowing, and why? I started rowing as a J14 at Abingdon School as my brother had rowed the year before. I was excited to start because the school 1st VIII had won the Princess Elizabeth Challenge Cup at Henley Royal Regatta the year before.

What was your first club? Abingdon School.

What is your favourite part of rowing for Oxford? The attention to detail and focus on performance - as someone really driven to win, knowing that every session has a purpose and that my teammates and coaches are focused on the same goal as I am is hugely rewarding.

What’s your rowing history, and what has been your biggest achievement so far? As a junior at Abingdon, I rowed twice at Henley, once in an eight and once in a quad, and rowed at the junior world championships in the pair. I then rowed as an undergraduate for the Princeton lightweight rowing team. I won two silver medals in the lightweight eight at the IRA national championship but my biggest achievement must be winning the Head of the Charles lightweight eight in 2017 and 2019, setting the current course record in 2017.

Have you raced in the Boat Race before? If yes, when? I have not, this is my first year at Oxford.

Your favourite race so far? Henley Royal Regatta.

Do you have any race day habits or superstitions? No superstitions, but I always listen to some AC/DC to get fired up before the race.

Your sporting idol? Michael Jordan, for his ruthless win-at-all-costs attitude.

If you could have any sportsperson in your crew, who would it be? Jonah Lomu, his legs were like tree trunks!

What gets you through a tough session? Do you have a mantra, rituals? I think the biggest thing is the motivation to always keep improving. When you know how fast you went on a particular workout last week, last month or last year you always want to go faster, even if that means putting yourself in a bigger hole.

Any hobbies, other interests outside rowing? I really enjoy cycling and following professional cycling.

How do you motivate yourself and your teammates, especially with Covid restrictions? Knowing that Cambridge are in exactly the same situation as us with restrictions, and that we need to get more out of every session than them, regardless of the circumstances.