Alison Carrington

Nationality

GBR

Height

1.77m

School/High School

St Albans High School for Girls

Club

OUWBC

Undergraduate/Graduate

Undergraduate

Undergraduate course 

Medicine

What is your Oxford College?

Hertford

Why are you studying your course?

I really enjoy working in a team to problem solve and help deliver the best care to patients.

What is the most interesting part of your course?

I enjoy the variety of things I see as part of my education. Each rotation is completely different, and I am privileged to meet so many patients with different stories.

Year you first started rowing?

2018

First rowing club?

Hertford College Boat Club

Why/How did you get into rowing?

I got into rowing when I joined university. I hadn’t really done much sport before uni but all my college friends were quite sporty, so I wanted to sink my teeth into something new. I tried rowing at my college club and loved it. I enjoyed the structure and discipline but also made some great friends and have been rowing ever since.

Name of first rowing coach?

Andrew Newsom

How do you balance rowing and academic life?

You have to be incredibly good at time management. Getting enough sleep to sustain you through long days in order to fit everything in is key. Balancing both is much easier when coaches and tutors are understanding and supportive of your commitment to endeavours.

Who is your rowing idol?

Zoe Lee

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

My Osiris crew from last year were great, it would be amazing to get one last row with them one day.

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

I started rowing with college and competed with them many times in bumps events. I joined OUWBC last year and raced with Osiris during the last season. I really enjoyed the races I did last year in the Osiris crew, in particular placing in the top 5 of university crews at WEHORR and making it to the final in HWR were highlights.

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?

Henley Women’s Regatta 2022 in the straight 4.

What is the best place you have ever rowed?

Henley Royal Regatta

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

I am always looking for ways to go faster – both individually and in the crews I am in. The pursuit for speed inspires me to keep going when the training is tough. I am also inspired by the dedication that my teammates put into the sport.

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

I am proud of the steep learning curve I made last year to go from college level rowing to the Osiris crew. Racing at Henley Royal Regatta was particularly special, having attended the event last year as a spectator and reflecting on how far I had come in the last year.

What has been your most embarrassing/funny rowing moment?

Driving the minibus through the McDonald’s drive-thru after Trial VIIIs.

What is your favourite sports quote?

“Better is better.”

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

Pushing your body to the limit fitnesswise whilst being highly skilful with an oar – there is nothing like it.

What is your favourite movie about sports? Why?

Rush. It demonstrates how intense rivalry can drive people to their greatest achievements.

How does being an athlete make you a better person?

Being an athlete requires a certain level of determination and discipline which is definitely carried into how you approach life outside of sport.

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

I hadn’t found a sport I enjoyed or was particularly good at until I joined university. I’ve shown that with hard work I can be competitive amongst athletes who had the opportunity to start the sport earlier in their lives.

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

I’m very level-headed but gritty as an athlete. As a person I’m driven but also compassionate.

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 highly supportive. I try to make as much time for friends as possible in the off-season to make up for missing things for rowing. Sometimes sacrifices have to be made but thinking about how good a win feels makes it worth it.