The Oxford and Cambridge Boat Race sponsored by Xchanging

Paul is currently in the second year of an MSc in Science and Medicine of Athletic Performance. As an apprentice Thames Waterman, Paul knows a thing or two about the Thames. The Company of Watermen and Lightermen has traditionally been responsible for the movement of goods and passengers on the river. Apprenticeships take seven years. As Paul, from Bexley in South East London, started his in 1999, he hopes to become a Freeman soon. His family are originally from East London and include several generations of Watermen and dockers. Paul grew up in Scotland but his family moved back to London when he was 10. Picked up the rowing bug from his father, who rowed at York University. Has already had some success – he won a bronze medal with then fellow Durham University undergraduate James Clarke at the 2004 World U23 Championships and followed that up with silver in the same discipline and with the same partner at the 2005 World U23 Championships in Amsterdam – when they led until the final five strokes of their final before being pipped by Italy. Paul and James also won lightweight pairs gold at the 2004 British Universities Sports Association (BUSA) Championships. Paul was named Durham University’s Sportsman of the Year in 2005.