Joe Gellett

Cox

Nationality

GBR

Height

176cm

School/high school/secondary school

Hampton School

Club

OUWBC

Undergraduate/Graduate

Undergraduate

Undergraduate course

MChem Chemistry

Oxford college

St Anne’s

Why are you studying your course?

I wanted to study chemistry because it has a mix of theoretical and practical elements within the course. I find it exciting when I am in the lab, and I get to see the theory put into practice.

What is the most interesting part of your course?

I’m finding my fourth year the most interesting part so far, as we join a research group and spend the year working in the lab. This is the first time that we start to specialise, so it is quite a big change from the previous three years, but it is a change that I’m finding fun.

Year you first started rowing

2013

First rowing club

Hampton School Boat Club

Why/how did you get into rowing?

I started coxing in 2013 with my school. Being quite small I wasn’t the best at football and rugby, so when I found out the school offered rowing, I thought I’d give it a try and then the coaches recommended coxing to me, which I have done ever since.

Name of first rowing coach

Colin Greenaway

Who is your rowing idol? Helen Glover

How do you balance rowing and academic life?

A lot of to-do lists, so I know when everything is happening/due. This allows me to plan stuff out, so there aren’t any surprises.

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

Mainly competed at races aimed at school rowing, such as National Schools’ Regatta or Schools’ Head. My biggest achievement must be wining the J16 championship 8+ at NSR, as the year before we lost the race in the last 250 meters, so to be able to win was amazing. I was also a part of OUWBC last year and coxed the Osiris boat.

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

Coxed Osiris 2021.

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

Yes, I have, one of the Cambridge coxes was in my year at school, so we both coxed there together.

Your favourite race so far?

NSR 2018 2nd 8+ final has to be one of my favourites, just because we did much better than we or anyone was expecting, so although we came second it was still a great day.

What has been your most embarrassing/funny rowing moment?

As a J14 I went on the senior training camp with school, after having coxed for about half a term, and in one of the first sessions there I mounted the bow of the boat onto the concrete landing stage. It was my first time in an eight and none of the rowers thought to tell me‚ ‘Don’t row full speed at the landing stage’.

What is the best place you have ever rowed?

Seville. We went there for training camp at school, and it was amazing to be able to row through the middle of the city and the weather was incredible.

Where would be your dream place to row?

Boston, I’d love to get a chance to do the Head Of The Charles.

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

I think the main thing that inspires me to keep rowing is being able to spend so much time with my teammates, as they never fail to make an early morning session fun.

What is your favourite sports quote?

At this point in the race, you’ll either be up, down, or level – Tim (one of my old coaches).

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

Eight people in a boat going backwards pushing as hard as they can, with one person facing forwards yelling at them. One of my friends only realised recently that the cox also steers the boat, so I am clearly not very good at explaining coxing to people.

How does being an athlete make you a better person?

One of the key attributes of being an athlete is always looking for ways to improve and striving for perfection. Bringing this into other aspects of my life really helps to better me as it allows me to keep on growing as a person.

What is your favourite movie about sports? Why?

I, Tonya. It is a really fascinating story about competitive sports, also the soundtrack is excellent so that is a bonus.

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

One of the main things that people can relate to is the huge amount of work and dedication that is required to be the best athlete you can. Whether they can relate through their own sporting activities or other areas of their life, I feel this is quite a common and shared experience.

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

I’d say one of my biggest strengths is my organisation, as being a cox requires you to be on top of so many things at once. This is useful in general as it means I can balance my lab work with training.

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 friends are supportive of me and are very understanding when I must miss activities because of training. I am often able to persuade my housemates to do stuff with me on days off as well, so that way I don’t miss out on too much.

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

Yes, of course. I am lucky to be on a team with a group of amazingly talented and driven athletes, who I fully back to win.

Any hobbies, other interests outside rowing?

I used to do tumbling (a form of gymnastics) for about 10 years and competed at national competitions.