James Doran

Nationality

GBR

Height

2m

School/High School

Dulwich College

Club

OUBC

Undergraduate/Graduate

Graduate

Previous University

Edinburgh University

Undergraduate course

Neuroscience BSc

Graduate course

MRes Neuroscience

What is your Oxford College?

Oriel

Why are you studying your course?

To join a team pioneering research in motor neurone disease.

What is the most interesting part of your course?

I am helping create a living model of the neuromuscular junction grown from stem cells which are taken from patients with motor neurone disease.

Year you first started rowing?

2014

First rowing club?

Dulwich College

Why/How did you get into rowing?

I was rubbish at rugby, and figured I may as well make use of being a 6ft 2”, 14-year-old.

Who is your rowing idol?

Matthew Pinsent

How do you balance rowing and academic life?

A regularly updated phone calendar and making sure to enjoy rowing enough to count it as part of my social life.

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

Stern 7 of the Kiwi 8+ and myself in the bow seat.

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

I won J14 A octuples at National Schools in my first year in the sport and was hooked from then. Won precious little else at school. Did various university Henley Royal campaigns including 2 PA runs and one Temple. Managed to help contribute to Edinburgh University winning the overall and men’s Victor Ludorum at BUCS regatta this year. I’m a 2x U23 European Championships medallist. I won the U23 European Championships, 2021 in the M8+ (with James Forward, also from OUBC), and got bronze this year in the M4-.

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?

Men’s 8+ final of the U23 European Championships 2021.

What is the best place you have ever rowed?

Loch Venachar in the highlands of Scotland.

Obviously, it’s long hours and hard work – what inspires you to keep rowing?

Friends, routine, a competitive nature, and aspirations to do the best I can, making the most of the time and physical advantages that I’m fortunate enough to have.

What has been your most embarrassing/funny rowing moment?

I capsized a single at Kingston Small Boats Head, was offered tea and biscuits by someone moored on the bank (which I gently refused), managed to get back in and finish the race, achieving the slowest time of the day by about 10 minutes.

What do you feel is your greatest achievement through rowing, be it accolades or something more?

Representing GB last year after a challenging period of lockdown training.

What is your favourite sports quote?

“I failed over and over again in my life and that’s why I succeed.” - Micheal Jordan

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

A slightly masochistic, backwards race which rewards hard work and perseverance above all else.

What is your favourite movie about sports? Why?

Gladiator. Russell Crowe’s best performance and a phenomenal score.

How does being an athlete make you a better person?

Teaches perseverance, self-control, dedication and rewards hard work. All skills I’m trying to cultivate and carry over to the rest of my life.

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

I fail all the time when I row. But I have found in this sport as in the rest of my life that those who consistently work hard always succeed eventually. It’s just a matter of time.

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

Lots of my friends are also in the sport so if done properly, rowing can help combine social life and training into one.

Any hobbies, other interests outside rowing?

I write songs and play the occasional gig/open mic night. Shoutout to all my fans on SoundCloud.