Luke Robinson
Squads
Boat Race History
- 2018 Oxford Men’s Reserve Boat
- 2019 Oxford Men’s Reserve Boat
- 2021 Oxford Men’s Reserve Boat
About Luke:
What course are you studying and what level?
DPhil (PhD) in Engineering Science
Why did you chose that course?
Did engineering at undergrad and enjoyed my masters project so continued on in the same field
When, where and why did you start rowing? And what do you love about the sport?
I started when I was 13 in my first year in Winchester. I had always lived by the sea so was looking to find a water sport to get into in my new school and discovered rowing. We had a beautiful river at school to train on so spending the afternoons outside with my mates after a morning of classes was as much an incentive as any in the first few years and still is now.
What was your first rowing club and coach?
Winchester College, Amanda Talboys
What or who was the earliest sporting inspiration you remember as a child?
I guess my earliest memory of being truly impressed by someone excelling at their sport was watching Sir Chris Hoy win his three gold medals at the Beijing olympics in 2008. I wasn’t really a big follower of sport at the time but remember being inspired by such hard work and success.
How has rowing and being part of the Boat Race squad impacted your life?
Lots of my closest friends are people I have met rowing either at school or on the boat race squad in my undergrad. Being part of such a strong team atmosphere can really forge some strong friendships.
If you weren’t a rower, what sport do you think you’d excel at?
Road Cycling
What is your favourite non-academic book?
“A Voyage for Madmen”, tells the story of the people racing to be the first to sail around the world single handed. If you think you’re tough, you’ll seriously reconsider after hearing the stories of what they went through
