Tobias Schröder

Dual Nationality

GBR/EST

Height

200cm

School/high school/secondary school

Winchester College

Club

OUBC

Undergraduate/graduate

Graduate

Previous university

University of Oxford

Undergraduate course

Chemistry

Graduate course

History of Science, Medicine and Technology MPhil

Oxford college

Exeter

Why are you studying your course?

I studied chemistry for my undergrad and now I want to look at the material I learnt from an historical perspective.

What is the most interesting part of your course?

My dissertation will be on the development of synthetic erythropoietin in the treatment of anaemia, and its subsequent introduction into the world of sport as a performance enhancing drug.

Year you first started rowing

2012

First rowing club

Winchester College boat club

Why/how did you get into rowing? 

I was a swimmer before and wanted a change.

Name of first rowing coach

Amanda Chain

Who is your rowing idol?

Doina Ignat

How do you balance rowing and academic life?

With difficulty. It needs a lot of perseverance and good will from your tutors and peers.

Who would be your dream team eight to row with from everyone in the history of rowing?

The eight other guys I rowed with at school. We had some great times and I miss those days.

What is your rowing history, and what has been your biggest achievement so far?

I started rowing in 2012 when I joined Winchester College. In my last year I was selected for the GB junior eight at the 2017 junior worlds, where we came third. I then joined Oxford in October 2017 and was selected for the Blue Boat in 2019, 2020 and 2021. My biggest achievement so far came last summer when I was in the four seat of the GB U23 men’s eight which won gold at the U23 world championships. It was an incredible race which we got the best of by 0.21 seconds.

Have you raced in the Boat Race before? If yes, when?

Yes in 2019 and 2021 and I am looking forward to returning to London.

Your favourite race so far?

Favourite event to compete in: the Boat Race. Favourite race of my career: U23 world champs eights final 2021.

What is the best place you have ever rowed?

The Moulsford Railway Bridge to Goring Lock stretch of the Thames. And luckily, we get to row there every day.

Have you ever been at school/university/on a team with anyone at ‘the other place’?

Yes, with Hugo Durward. We rowed together at school for five years, so he is a crucial member of the dream eight mentioned above. We get on very well.

Where would be your dream place to row?

As above, I am living the dream.

Obviously, there are long hours and hard work, what inspires you to keep rowing?

Desire to win and anger at past losses in equal measure.

What do you feel is your greatest achievement through rowing, be it accolades or something more personal?

Not necessarily my greatest achievement but missing my first season at OUBC in 2018 due to illness was difficult, and I was proud to make the GB U23 team for the first time later that year, and to come back and make the Blue Boat in 2019.

What has been your most embarrassing/funny rowing moment?

We clashed oars during a side-by-side paddle at the start of this season and I caught a crab.

What is your favourite sports quote?

‘You can’t put a saddle on a mustang’ -N. Norman

What is your favourite movie about sports? Why?

I liked The Last Dance which was the Netflix documentary on Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls.

How does being an athlete make you a better person?

Being an athlete has taught me the meaning of hard work and how to manage time effectively.

How would you describe the sport to a non-rower?

People put oars in water and pull on them to make boat move.

Why do you think someone outside of the sport can relate to your career as an athlete?

I think everyone can relate to the hard lessons that failure brings, and I’ve certainly had a few of those. Sport is defined by winning and losing and developing a mindset that can succeed at sport will also help in the world beyond the boat.

What are your strengths, as a person and as an athlete?

Resilience, adaptability and good humour.

What do your friends think of your athletic success? How do you handle missing out on activities with friends because of your athletic schedule?

They take an interest in my rowing life, and ask why I’m not present at social events, but otherwise it doesn’t really come up. It’s sometimes hard to miss out on the social life outside rowing, but part of why I enjoy the sport so much is the social element of training hard and racing within a team.

Do you think you can win the Boat Race? Why?

Yes. One boat will win and there is no reason why it can’t be me. The Boat Race is a race like no other, and past achievements and form count for nothing. The winner will be the boat which wants it more.

Any hobbies, other interests outside rowing?

I have an ELO of 1900 on Chess.com but I don’t like to brag about it.

Tell us one surprising thing about yourself. 

I can do yo-yo tricks