Student at Maidstone Grammar School studying A levels and going on to university
Rowing
My friends dad had done a rowing course as part of his job and after seeing a few photos of his fun in a boat, I decided it looked like it was worth taking up, seen as my success in other sports was fairly limited at the time
I started rowing at 13 but didn’t start training hard for competition until about 15.
Ray Long
My biggest achievement so far has been going to Austria to compete in the Junior World Rowing Championships for Great Britain in the Men’s Eight
In the short term I hope to get up to the standard of a top Under 23 GB athlete so I can compete at the Under 23 Words. After this I hope to move onto Senior and perhaps Olympic level
My proudest moment was winning the National Schools Rowing Championships in the Under 15 Doubles category with my doubles partner. It was the first time I won anything at National Level and we were so happy
I train 6 days a week, between 1 and 3 times a day depending on whether I need to peak for an upcoming competition
Rowing at international level, or trialling to become international level, is very expensive. I’m constantly travelling up and down the country for races or trials. Equipment all needs to be top of the range to compete on a level playing field and having the money to pay for it all just makes it that it easier
To a business, what is a better money making opportunity than aiding a person who travels around the country with the potential of displaying a trademark to a variety of observers, all with the view of helping someone fulfil their dreams. A perfect marketing idea
My hero is Alan Campbell, the GB single sculler, because of his iron hard mentality
My advice to other sportspeople would be to remind yourself of the big goal when things get hard
The thing I enjoy most about rowing is the fact that its so hard to perfect, especially as a crew. So when things go well, it brings everyone together so much
I am currently negotiating a one off payment with Fremlin Walk but am receiving no continuous sponsorship
