Esther Austin

Nationality

NZL

Height

1.73m

School/High School

Wanganui Collegiate School

Club

OUWBC

Undergraduate/Graduate

Graduate

Previous University

University of Canterbury, New Zealand

Undergraduate course

LLB

Graduate course 

MBA

What is your Oxford College?

St Anne’s College

Why are you studying your course

? I am studying an MBA to further my work career by gaining broader experience and exposure to business management.

What is the most interesting part of your course?

The people and the diversity of the cohort.

Year you first started rowing?

2005

First rowing club Wanganui Collegiate School

Why/How did you get into rowing?

It was a family affair. I started off coxing my dad’s crews and then started rowing when I was in high school.

Name of first rowing coach?

My dad.

How do you balance rowing and academic life?

It’s a constant challenge to balance them, time management and hard work are both key.

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

Hamish Bond, Eric Murray, Mahé, Nathan Cohen, Rob Waddell, Grace Prendergast, Kerri Gowler, Emma Twigg.

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

Bit of a long rowing history with it starting 18 years ago, but I have had a few years off recently. Racing at World Juniors in 2010 for New Zealand was a great experience and being on the NZ Universities team in 2012 and 2013.

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’?

Not in this year’s squad, but I have from previous/recent Boat Race crews.

What is the best place you have ever rowed?

Lake Ruataniwha, Twizel, New Zealand

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

I love a good challenge and competition. When you’re working hard and getting fit with a good team that become your friends, it makes it fun and not a chore.

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

The general opportunities that have opened up off the back of rowing and the character skills/traits you learn from rowing.

What is your favourite sports quote?

In the words of the famous poet Marshall Mathers lll, “You better lose yourself in the music, the moment, you own it, you better never let it go. You only get one shot, do not miss your chance to blow. This opportunity comes once in a lifetime”.

What is your favourite movie about sports?

Remember the Titans

How does being an athlete make you a better person?

Being fit and healthy makes me happy.

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

Passion?

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

It’s good practice for life in general when you’ll inevitably have to miss out on many events/activities. I just try to look at it from a different perspective of the opportunities gained from the rowing, rather than what are the things I am missing.

Any hobbies, other interests outside rowing?

In between rowing seasons I find myself training for half and full Ironman – sucker for punishment?