2 mins
Freddy Orpin
Nationality
GBR
Height
2.05m
School/High School
Fulford 6th Form
Club
OUBC
Undergraduate/Graduate
Undergraduate
Undergraduate course
BA Geography
What is your Oxford College?
St. Catherine’s
Why are you studying your course?
I love the subject.
What is the most interesting part of your course?
The diversity of the topics covered.
Year you first started rowing?
2013 (sculling)
First rowing club?
York City Rowing Club
Why/How did you get into rowing?
Was rubbish at everything else.
Name of first rowing coach?
Phil Jones
Who would be your dream team eight to row with from everyone in the history of rowing?
The lads back at York City RC.
Who is your rowing idol?
Tom Ransley
How do you balance rowing and academic life?
Coffee
What’s your rowing history, and what has been your biggest achievement so far?
Qualifying for the Prince of Wales at Henley with my mate Aidan and 2 lads from the GB Start centre in Leeds.
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?
Bradford Sprint Regatta
What is the best place you have ever rowed?
The Ouse
Where would be your dream place to row?
Back on the Ouse in York battling it out in single sculls.
Obviously, it’s long hours and hard work – what inspires you to keep rowing?
Beating Cambridge
What do you feel is your greatest achievement through rowing, be it accolades or something more?
Winning the Hamilton Cup in the 2x at Bradford Regatta with my mate Frank.
What has been your most embarrassing/funny rowing moment?
Capsizing my single scull in the last 50m of Durham Regatta.
What is your favourite sports quote?
“Ka-Chow”
How would you describe the sport to a non-rower?
Brutal but rewarding.
What is your favourite movie about sports?
Cars
How does being an athlete make you a better person?
It forces you to be disciplined and effective at time management.
Why do you think someone outside of the sport can relate to your career as an athlete so far?
You don’t have to be an athlete to relate to the importance of fortitude, resilience, collapsing and rising again.
What are your strengths, as a person and as an athlete?
Resilient, very competitive.
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 respect it but the FOMO can be tough.
Any hobbies, other interests outside rowing?
Cycling