OV Cox’s Chat

Many thanks to OV and former King’s Head of Boats Alex Wenyon (Cr 07-14) for taking some time out from her busy schedule of work and training part time with the GB Paralympic Rowing team to visit the King’s Boat Club on 13 February 2023 and speak with some of the current King’s rowers.

Alex had come back to King’s to catch up with Head of Rowing, Jim Chalmers (Hon OV) and meet with rowers from the Upper Remove to Sixth Form, who were very keen to hear of Alex’s exploits on the water and learn from her experience.

Alex caught the rowing bug at King’s, where she was encouraged to give it a go by a school friend who claimed, “You’re short and bossy, why not try coxing?”. The rest, as they say, is history!

Following King’s, Alex continued rowing at Oxford Brookes University, while studying for her Business and Marketing Management degree. Her career took off in her placement year with Harley-Davidson, during which time Alex’s rowing career also went from strength to strength. Balancing work with training, Alex secured many race wins with her rowing club, Moseley, before being selected to represent Team GB last summer at the Gavirate Para Regatta.

With a fresh crew, Alex and her boat broke the 2,000m world record, covering the distance in an incredible 6:46. However, as the race itself was not on an official FISA regulated course, the record has not been officially recognised! It is an achievement they will never forget, though, and, as Alex noted, they were so focused on getting the win, they were not going to let anything jeopardise that. You can read more about Alex’s gold medal winning racing with Team GB here.

Alex had a number of incredibly helpful and insightful tips for the budding rowers, not least to remember to pack a lot of kit for their upcoming training camps in order to be ready for all weathers.

The pupils and coaches alike found Alex’s chat inspiring and asked a huge range of questions covering all aspects of Alex’s rowing career, experience, and advice. For example, they asked how Alex plans her training, to which she offered her ‘gold, silver and bronze medal goals’. Alex explained that rowers need to start with their Gold Medal Goals: the ultimate goal or achievement, whether that be winning an actual gold in a championship, or the next race. Silver medal goals are the steps you need to take to achieve the Gold. Bronze medal level is the day-to-day foundations: nutrition, sleep, and not wasting sessions.

The King’s rowers also learned about the Para teams, the different categories, and how the boats are adapted, where necessary, to support the athletes. For the King’s Boat Club coxes, Alex had more specific tips and advice, which was all gratefully received.

Jim added, “It is so wonderful to see OVs rowing beyond School, and Alex is a prime example of this. Many thanks to you, Alex, for inspiring our future rowing medallists!”

Alex concluded, “Just remember to make sure you enjoy what you’re doing, otherwise you won’t give it your best!”

Thank you, Alex, for your advice and giving the current King’s rowers so much to think about!