By Alice Wright
Two DMU rowers have opened up about rowing life and are looking forward to the warmer weather in the summer.
Adam Purcell, 18, and Harvey Hill, 20, both De Montfort University students, decided to join DMU rowing at the Freshers’ Fair because it was something new.
First year Film student Harvey said: “When I came to uni I really wanted to do football and that didn’t really work out.
“During the Freshers’ Fair I signed up for a lot of sports but rowing really called to me through [Novice captain] Alex’s communication through email and he made it sound like he wanted me on the team.”
They both joined DMU rowing in October and have already competed in two races, saying it has added structure to their lives.
Adam, a first year Mechanical Engineering student, said: “There’s been a lot of support and the committee and coach were very welcoming.”
The two DMU students discussed how they are looking forward to the summer months as it will make it “more fun” as they “won’t get numb”.
Harvey explained why he rows: “For me, as well, I’ve always been someone in life who has to have a goal at some point no matter how big or small it is. I think rowing is perfect for that.”
An average week for a competition squad consists of 17-20 hours of sessions but in preparation for a race it increases to 20-25 hours per week including early morning sessions almost every day.
Both students also revealed how they are most excited for the BUCS regatta in Nottingham and how their goal is to get a medal.
Adam said: “Our biggest competitors are Edinburgh and Durham, so our aim is to beat them and if we do that then we’ve probably won.
“They’re both very good, we’ve just got to keep going, doing what we’re doing.”
Adam described the feeling of being on the water in a quad whilst everyone is “swinging together” as the most exciting part of rowing because you feel the “woosh” of the boat.
If you’d like to find out more information about DMU rowing, get in contact with their Instagram page @dmurowing.
