Callum McRoberts - NUBC Sep '12 - Jul ‘16

"I started rowing at Newcastle University in 2012 after rowing at The Grange School. Initially I joined as a rower and towards the end of the first term I picked up an injury. My physique was always more suited to coxing than rowing, something some of the lads pointed out on more than one occasion. At the time the mens squad were short of a cox so I agreed to give it a go.

Having rowed for years I had seen coxing done but never coxed properly before. Through the rest of first year it was a steep learning curve.  I picked it up along the way and adapted to what feedback I was given. I dropped my weight and found myself in the 2nd 8+ for Henley.

About half a season after starting coxing, at the start of second year, I had my first run in the 1st 8+ at Rutherford Head. From there I coxed the 1st 8+ or 4+ for the majority of my 4 years at Newcastle having relative success.

Some highlights include racing in Italy against the Italian national team, racing at EUSA in The Netherlands, multiple pennant wins at The Head Of the River, multiple wins at the Boat Race Of the North, numerous BUCS medals, multiple Marlow Regatta wins and making a Henley final. However the absolute highlight was winning the Prince Albert in 2014 at Henley Royal Regatta.

In my final year I also took on the task as Mens Captain which was a learning experience in itself. Along with coxing this has given me a number of lessons and an amount of confidence I wouldn’t have been able to gain elsewhere which is something that has stayed with me now I have left Newcastle."

You don’t always have to be the loudest in the club when you start coxing as the stereotype goes, so give it a go!"