2 mins
James Bernard
Nationality
USA
Height
195cm
School/high school/secondary school
Ann Arbor Huron High School
Club
CUBC
Undergraduate/graduate
Graduate
Previous university
University of Wisconsin
Undergraduate course
International Studies -University of Wisconsin
Graduate course
Land Economy
Cambridge college
St. Edmund’s
Why are you studying your course?
To learn more about the relationships between economics, policy, and the built environment.
What is the most interesting part of your course?
How relevant its subjects are to the most important issues we face today.
Year you first started rowing
2012
First rowing club
Huron Rowing Association
Why/how did you get into rowing?
I started to get out of off-season training for basketball.
Name of first rowing coach
Ted Deakin
Who is your rowing idol?
Ben Ruble
How do you balance rowing and academic life?
Time management.
Who would be your dream team eight to row with from everyone in the history of rowing?
An eight of Viking warriors.
What is your rowing history, and what has been your biggest achievement so far?
I started rowing very casually and on a team that was more geared toward participation than performance, and before I knew it I was getting recruited to US colleges but I was still very inexperienced when I started at Wisconsin. My biggest achievement is racing in the US men’s 8+ at the U23 worlds in 2017.
Have you raced in the Boat Race before? If yes, when?
I was selected to the Blue Boat in 2020. I raced in the Goldie/ISIS race in 2021.
Have you ever been at school/university/on a team with anyone at ‘the other place’?
No
Your favourite race so far?
Goldie/ISIS race 2021
Obviously, it is long hours and hard work‚ what inspires you to keep rowing?
The privilege of being a high-performance athlete and the chance to get better everyday
What do you feel is your greatest achievement through rowing, be it accolades or something more personal?
Coming off knee surgery in the Fall of 2020 and getting back to peak fitness and being able to join the squad again in 2021 (during Covid lockdowns with no physio or rehab).
What has been your most embarrassing/funny rowing moment?
Too many to count.
What is your favourite sports quote?
“As long as I breathe I attack” -Bernard Hinault
How would you describe the sport to a non-rower?
Gruelling, enervating, fulfilling
What is your favourite movie about sports?
Miracle
How does being an athlete make you a better person?
Sport is a microcosm for life. You get to take your experiences with you into the real world.
Why do you think someone outside of the sport can relate to your career as an athlete?
I’m not sure they can.
What are your strengths, as a person and as an athlete?
Consistency, persistence, perspective, resolve
What do your friends think of your athletic success? How do you handle missing out on activities with friends because of your athletic schedule?
My athletics is part of who I am, so my friends know that.
Do you think you can win the Boat Race?
Yes
Any hobbies, other interests outside rowing?
Music, cycling, basketball, current events/politics