Tara Slade

Nationality

GBR

Height

1.67m

School/High School

Lancing College

Club

OUWBC

Undergraduate/Graduate

Graduate

Previous University

University of Cambridge

Undergraduate course

Medical Sciences

Graduate course

Entry Medicine

What is your Oxford College?

St Peter’s

Why are you studying your course?

To become a good doctor and accelerate progress in medical science.

What is the most interesting part of your course?

Thinking fast, whilst helping people. Surgery and emergency medicine are my current favourite specialties.

Year you first started rowing?

2015

First rowing club

Caius Boat Club

Why/How did you get into rowing?

The camaraderie and atmosphere were the perfect vibe.

Name of first rowing coach?

Will McDermott

Who is your rowing idol?

Erin Kennedy

How do you balance rowing and academic life?

Prioritisation and a good support network.

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

Mays Headship with Caius Boat Club 2019.

Have you raced in the Boat Race before? If yes, when?

No

Your favourite race so far?

Lightweight women’s reserve IV+ 2018, I learned to cox at Cambridge.

What is the best place you have ever rowed?

Mays Headship with Caius Boat Club M1 2019.

Where would be your dream place to row?

Banyoles

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

My teammates, and the thrill of racing.

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

Building on decades of crews’ work to win Caius Boat Club Men’s Headship.

What has been your most embarrassing/funny rowing moment?

Misjudging a jump onto the landing station in December.

What is your favourite sports quote?

“You can’t cancel Quidditch.”

What is your favourite movie about sports? Why?

Cool Runnings. It embraces the spirit of teamwork.

How does being an athlete make you a better person?

I value the opinions and experiences of my teammates, which help me make better decisions.

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

Everyone has good days and bad days, whether they’re an athlete or not.

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

High attention to detail, ability to think quickly and make decisions under pressure.

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 non-rowing friends are extremely supportive and provide relief from the rowing bubble. Luckily my rowing friends tend to organise socials at times convenient to the rowing schedule.

Any hobbies, other interests outside rowing?

Medicine, triathlon, music and art.