3 mins
David Ambler
Nationality
GBR
Height
197cm
School/high school/secondary school
St. Paul’s School
Club
OUBC
Undergraduate/graduate
Graduate
Previous university
Harvard
Undergraduate course
Psychology
Graduate course
MSc Social Science of the Internet
Oxford college
Jesus
Why are you studying your course?
To pursue further my specific academic interests from undergrad.
What is the most interesting part of your course?
Seeing how the Internet is altering traditional social structures in a very ongoing and current way.
Year you first started rowing
2009
First rowing club
Tideway Scullers School
Why/how did you get into rowing?
My sister was doing it at Scullers, and I really wanted to try it out too.
Name of first rowing coach
Stephen Aitken/Billy Fields
How do you balance rowing and academic life?
There is a bit of time pressure but ultimately you just do your best, not much else you can do.
Who is your rowing idol?
Alan Campbell
Who would be your dream team eight to row with from everyone in the history of rowing?
Hamish Bond, Alex Gregory, Eric Murray, Triggs Hodge, Pete Reed, Drew Ginn, Helen Glover, Heather Stanning, Gevvie Stone.
What is your rowing history, and what has been your biggest achievement so far?
I rowed at Scullers then St. Paul’s then Harvard then Brookes then Oxford. Won the Grand and Stewards at Henley 2021 and U23 world champs 4-2019. Henley Royal Princess Elizabeth Challenge Cup winner 2015, junior worlds 2015 -men’s 8 5th, Eastern Sprints with Liam Corrigan 2017 silver medal, 2017 IRA bronze with Liam Corrigan, U23 worlds 2017 men’s 8 bronze, Easter Sprints 2018 silver, IRA 2018 4th, U23 worlds silver in 4-, IRA 2019 3rd with Liam Corrigan, Henley 2019 Visitor Challenge Cup winner, U23 worlds 4-gold, 2021 world cup 4-silver.
Have you raced in the Boat Race before? If yes, when?
No
Have you ever been at school/university/on a team with anyone at ‘the other place’?
Yes, Seb Benzecry at St. Paul’s and Ollie Parish and Reef Boericke at St. Paul’s as well as any other Pauls boys.
Your favourite race so far?
2017 Harvard/Yale Race
What do you feel is your greatest achievement through rowing, be it accolades or something more personal?
Meeting the people I’ve been able to meet.
Obviously, there are long hours and hard work, what inspires you to keep rowing?
Long term goals, great teammates, personal improvement.
Where would be your dream place to row?
Hawaii or somewhere warm and sunny.
What is your favourite movie about sports? Why?
Warrior -just a great movie with some sweet shots
What is your favourite sports quote?
More is More
How would you describe the sport to a non-rower?
Pretty tough training, great camaraderie but a bit of a grim sport as a whole.
How does being an athlete make you a better person?
Work as a team, driven, hardworking.
Why do you think someone outside of the sport can relate to your career as an athlete?
Whether its sports, or your job or just life everyone finds bits tough and learning to work through it is something everyone can relate to. Nobody sails through life perfectly and sometimes you have tough days so everyone can relate to having to just get through those.
What are your strengths, as a person and as an athlete?
Quite driven, hopefully a good teammate.
What do your friends think of your athletic success? How do you handle missing out on activities with friends because of your athletic schedule?
Sometimes they wonder why I still do it but ultimately very much support me even if it’s quite alien to them.
Do you think you can win the Boat Race? Why?
Hopefully yes, we have a great team that really enjoys the opportunity to train together. We are having a good time and hopefully that reflects in how we do on the water. Cambridge will be exceptional, so ultimately all we can do is prepare our best.