James Rumsey
Squad
About James Rumsey
Where did you learn to row and who was your first coach?
St John's College, Johannesburg, South Africa - Simon Bosman.
What inspires you about sport?
Sport inspires me because it has the power to uplift, build resilience, and push me to strive for excellence through the competition to be the best.
Explain your earliest memory of The Boat Race
My earliest memory of The Boat Race goes back to school in Port Alfred during South Africa’s Boat Race. I had always been interested in Oxford and Cambridge, but watching my first Boat Race there truly sparked my fascination with the event. That moment was when the tradition, intensity, and legacy of the race really captured my imagination and inspired my long-standing ambition to be part of it.
Do you relish in hours in the gym and miles in the dark, or do you live for race days?
I relish the work done in the dark, behind the scenes, because that is where the people you imagine nothing of push themselves to achieve the unthinkable, laying the foundation for success on race day. As a cox, the adrenaline of racing is unmatched, with the pressure of making the right split-second decisions, the crew beside you, and the umpire behind you. I thrive on those decisive moments, where one choice can make or break a race.
What's the secret to managing elite-level sport with studying at one of the top universities in the world?
It comes down to discipline, treating my academic and sporting commitments as complementary rather than competing. Rowing has instilled grit, resilience, and teamwork, which directly translate into my academic work. A strong support network is also key, but ultimately I am driven by the understanding that nobody else can write my script or define my limits. Passion and purpose guide me, I thrive on challenging myself and believe that hard work beats talent every time.
