Jess Ward
Squad
About Jess Ward
Where did you learn to row and who was your first coach?
Worcester College Boat Club, Max Lau.
What inspires you about sport?
You’re never finished, so there’s always something more to push for and try to perfect - rowing especially really rewards intense focus.
Explain your earliest memory of The Boat Race
I honestly had no idea The Boat Race existed until I got to Oxford so the first one I ever watched was the double Blue Boat-Isis victories in 2022. I was sat on the wall by Furnivall and I realised there was this whole extra tier to the sport that I wanted to be a part of.
Do you relish in hours in the gym and miles in the dark, or do you live for race days?
I have to say both - I love the challenge of making changes through the mileage, trying to get the boat moving as well as you can, and then putting that to the ultimate test in racing (and who doesn’t love having their bowball in front of someone else’s?).
What's the secret to managing elite-level sport with studying at one of the top universities in the world?
Lots and lots of planning. You’ve got to make the most of your time between sessions and have a clear idea of what has to be done when. My undying love for my DPhil helps a lot too!
