2 mins
Jack Tottem
Cox
Nationality
GBR (Welsh)
Height
176 cm
School/high school/secondary school
Monmouth School
Club
OUBC
Undergraduate/graduate
Undergraduate
Undergraduate course
BA History
Oxford college
Brasenose
Why are you studying your course?
To further pursue my interest in modern European history.
What is the most interesting part of your course?
International relations between the World Wars and during the Cold War era.
Year you first started rowing
2015
First rowing club
Monmouth School Rowing Club
Why/how did you get into rowing?
House ergo challenge -believe it or not.
Name of first rowing coach
Rob Howe
How do you balance rowing and academic life?
Planning the week in advance and making the most of any days off.
Who would be your dream team eight to row with from everyone in the history of rowing?
GB men’s eight -Rio 2016
What is your rowing history, and what has been your biggest achievement so far?
Trial Eights win 2020; Coupe gold and 3x silvers (2018/19); National Schools gold 2019.
What is the best place you have ever rowed?
Lake Varese, Italy
Obviously, there are long hours and hard work, what inspires you to keep rowing?
Noticing improvements in my own performance.
What do you feel is your greatest achievement through rowing, be it accolades or something more personal?
As cheesy as it sounds, meeting a bunch of great people and making friendships for life.
What has been your most embarrassing/funny rowing moment?
Falling into the river in Seville after attempting press-ups on the stern while wearing flip-flops.
What is your favourite movie about sports? Why?
Don’t Take Me Home. A real underdog story.
What is your favourite sports quote?
Chris Coleman: “Dream. Don’t be afraid to have dreams...If you work hard enough...and you’re not afraid to fail...”
How would you describe the sport to a non-rower?
Tough
How does being an athlete make you a better person?
Being part of a team means you must learn to work with different characters from all sorts of backgrounds, which is hugely important.
Why do you think someone outside of the sport can relate to your career as an athlete?
Because sometimes it feels like a full-time job. But a good one.
What are your strengths, as a person and as an athlete?
Enthusiastic, driven, focused.
What do your friends think of your athletic success? How do you handle missing out on activities with friends because of your athletic schedule?
Make the most of the time with my teammates. Enjoy the little things like journeys to and from training.
Do you think you can win the Boat Race? Why?
Yes, because I couldn’t bear to lose.
Any hobbies, other interests outside rowing?
Watching football, 90s music, Netflix.