Paige Badenhorst

Nationality

RSA

Height

179cm

School/high school/secondary school

St. Andrew’s School for Girls

Club

CUBC

Undergraduate/graduate

Graduate

Previous university

University of Michigan -Ann Arbor, USA

Graduate course

MPhil in Management

Cambridge college

Magdalene College

Why are you studying your course?

I have always had a passion for the environment and an interest in understanding how we can develop societies whilst maintaining our environmental integrity. I spent my undergraduate years learning about the connection between sustainability and organisations. I wanted to understand more about the operational side of businesses to see where we can integrate more sustainable business practices within the system, which led me to the MPhil in Management course.

What is the most interesting part of your course?

I really love how diverse our cohort is. We come from all over the world with very different educational backgrounds and I am learning a lot from the different perspectives that each of us brings to our course.

Year you first started rowing

2011

First rowing club

St. Andrew’s School for Girls Rowing Club.

Why/how did you get into rowing?

My dad heard of an open day being held at my school’s boat club where girls could go and try rowing. I absolutely loved spending time on or in the water and so we went to see what it was about. As someone who had not quite found my passion yet, I was open. After my first few very terrible strokes in the boat I knew I had found what I was missing. It later turned out that I was a year too early to join the team and had to wait a whole (very long) year before I could join the team. Once I did, I fell in love with being active, being out on the water, and overcoming challenges.

Who is your rowing idol?

Emma Twigg

How do you balance rowing and academic life?

Time management has been critical to finding a balance between the two. I make lots of lists and like to tick things off as I go. You really must make good use of the time that you have available. I really enjoy both aspects of my life and focusing on enjoying both helps too.

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

Emma Twigg, Grace Prendergast, Kirsten McCann, Hamish Bond, Eric Murray, Kim Brennan and Damir Martin.

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

I began rowing at my high school, St. Andrew’s School for Girls, South Africa, and have now been rowing for 10 years. A huge achievement was receiving my South African junior national colours for competing in the junior eight at the 2016 World Rowing Junior Championships where we finished 9th overall. Another notable achievement was placing 1st in the women’s pair in 2016 and 2017 at the South African senior rowing championships, as well as 1st in the women’s eight in 2016. Another huge achievement was being recruited to row for the University of Michigan, USA, where I was a part of two Big Ten Championship winning teams (2019 and 2021). I am a gold medal winner in the women’s 1st four (2019) and the women’s 2nd eight (2021). I was also part of the 2nd eight that finished 6th at the USA National Collegiate Athletic Association Championships in 2021, helping my team to 4th place in the country.

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’?

No

Your favourite race so far?

My favourite race was the single sculls U-19 A final at the 2016 South African Schools Rowing Championships. I think at the 1km mark I was sitting in 7th place and just decided to go, and I gave it everything and I ended up coming fourth -my best national sculling result. That race taught me so much about mental resilience and was a huge turning point for me.

What is the best place you have ever rowed?

The mountains of Lesotho.

Where would be your dream place to row?

Lake Bled, Slovenia

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

I like constantly overcoming challenges and pushing my mental and physical limits. The fact that I can always get better and faster keeps me coming back for more. There is always more to learn and more speed to gain.

What is your favourite sports quote?

Not necessarily a sports quote but my dad always says, “How do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time,” and I think about that a lot in rowing. Things don’t happen overnight. They take work over time and it’s about taking one stroke or rep at a time.

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

Lots of training and pain, but lots of reward and fun.

What is your favourite movie about sports? Why?

Four Minute Mile. This movie shows what it’s like to overcome fear and to push past what you think are your physical and mental limits.

How does being an athlete make you a better person?

Rowing has really allowed me to be comfortable in who I am. As someone who has struggled with being on the taller and larger side, I feel normal when rowing. My body is now my advantage and that gives me a lot more confidence. I love myself and who I am so much more because of the strength and confidence that rowing gives me.

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

I consider myself a learner and always approach any situation asking myself what I can learn from it? I am always looking to learn something about rowing or myself and that keeps me improving.

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

I have always had very supportive friends who have been encouraging of my athletic commitments. They know that it is important to me and understand when I can’t always make social events. It is hard missing out on activities with them and not always being available for them. I try my best to see them when I can, and I also remind myself why I am pursuing rowing in the first place.

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

I think we have all the ingredients to make a successful crew that has a chance of winning the Boat Race, it is just a matter of bringing them all together.

Any hobbies, other interests outside rowing?

Cooking