About Alex:

What course are you studying and what level?

PhD in Earth Sciences

Why did you chose that course?

I’ve always been interested in understanding how things work. My work is essentially about understanding the deep Earth from a mathematical point of view which I find quite fascinating.

When, where and why did you start rowing? And what do you love about the sport?

2013 at school. I thought it was a cool sport and wanted to give it a go. There is nothing quite like the feeling of the explosion of power you get when everyone is driving together and you hear the rush of water past the boat.

What was your first rowing club and coach?

The Cathedral School Rowing Club. Stefan Muelenberg

What or who was the earliest sporting inspiration you remember as a child?

Probably Makhaya Ntini batting and scoring against the Australian bowling attack, there was a real joy to a fast bowler just throwing his hands and scoring boundaries

How has rowing and being part of the Boat Race squad impacted your life?

It has taught me a lot about myself, getting through difficult times and helping as well as being helped by others around me

If you weren’t a rower, what sport do you think you’d excel at?

Excel is a strong word! I would always have loved to be a great cricketer

What is your favourite non-academic book?

Lord of The Rings