Captain and Vice-Captains
2011-2012 Captain of Boats - Dan Bowen
I have been rowing since I was a tiny little kid at the age of 11. A Hinksey thoroughbred, I have loved the Hinksey experience since my first sessions down on Hinksey Lake to crossing the finishing line at Holme Pierrepont, both places of fond memories. I truly believe that growing up with rowing has helped shape me into a better and disciplined individual.
My real competitive rowing experience started when I had the pleasure to row with 3 other boys and a delightful girl at the age of 15/16. We (and by that I mean Freddie) managed to earn ourselves 3 national medals, but more importantly lifelong friends. The strong friendships that rowing gives is an aspect of rowing I think everyone can enjoy. Rowing is about far more than the character building cold winter mornings and 2k tests, it can teaches you important life skills, and hundreds of other positive attributes. I think most would agree that rowing is what you give to it, be that one session a week or 7, everyone can enjoy and benefit from rowing at any level in different ways. I also believe there is no better place to enjoy the full rowing experience then Hinksey.
As captain, I am the link between the athletes and the coaches. If you are a prospective or current athlete with any concerns or questions please do email me at danhbowen@gmail.com. I would be happy to answer questions or raise your concerns about your training and the club. I have quite literally been in your shoes, and understand the problems that rowing whilst in school can have. If you want to talk about anything (mostly rowing related, however my other mastermind subjects are African School based chicken farming education and Welsh Rugby…) my ears are always open. Apart from that enjoy your rowing!
2011-2012 Vice Captain of Boats - Ellie Godden
Almost 5 years ago, when I reluctantly turned up for my capsize drill, I had no idea how much of an impact rowing would have on my life. It's become a part of me. There are so many aspects of rowing that are not seen in other sports, like the technical rigging and the fellowship of a crew which make it an all round exciting sport. But it's Hinksey that has really made my rowing career fantastic. I still look forward to every session. The club atmosphere, friendship between coaches, athletes and parents make it such a lovely place to row. But what tops it off is that there is so much variety among people, boats and events - no session is even the same.
2011-2012 Vice Captain of Boats - Anuszka Maton
I joined Hinksey at the age of 12 after being convinced by a friend to do so and now I am so glad that I did. Soon after starting training for Nationals at J14 my parents and teachers all began to see a significant improvement in my academic work and behaviour and I’m sure this was all because of rowing. Since then, my competitiveness and determination has continued to grow.
It was when I was about 15 that I decided that rowing was not my strongest point. However, I still desperately wanted to take part in events and so discovered the joys of coxing. After a long winter of thorough training with my quad who patiently put up with my appalling steering, my coach (Paul) somehow managed to train me up into the cox I am today. Since then, I have coxed many crews at National and Regional events and have loved every second of it. Even in the colder months. It was in this year that I received the ‘Athlete of the Year’ award.
Rowing at Hinksey is so much more than a sport, it’s a place where strong friendships are formed and I feel so privileged to have had the experience of being a part of such a unique and friendly club. I have enjoyed coming to every session whether I was rowing, sculling or coxing and a lot of this was down to the people I was with, both coaches and other athletes. Seeing the determination, focus and success of fellow athletes inspires others within the club and in this way I think that everybody at Hinksey has so much to offer. I hope that as vice-captain, I will help to make other athlete’s experiences at Hinksey an enjoyable one.