I was into rowing (nowhere near Cameron's level) about 15-18 years ago - and people told me I'd never make money rowing or chatting to people unless I became an Olympian.. now I'm a personal trainer who chats to people and teaches them to use the rowing machine for a living - and love my job - so tough cookies to the naysayers.
Shocking that 80% believe that. The work that you guys put in... not just boat and gym but also time, nutrition, public & press events, etc... that’s a tough full time job & an extremely worthwhile one, you should be proud of yourselves for making it happen!
So many people don’t understand that being a professional athlete requires time and dedication. Rowing isn’t just a sport, it is a lifestyle that you have to embrace. University rowing is one thing which is utter hell sometimes. Doing your work and then knowing you have 2 training sessions per day, early morning then uni then evening training and sleep and repeat! When it steps upto National level it becomes your life full time! Love the vlogs that hopefully is filling your time while you prepare for your next season! Keep up the good work 👍🏻
I have started following you by accident to be honest and I like your vlog they are really cool to see even some minutes of how someone is working out in such a level. Unfortunately for me in my country,Greece, rowing is a recreational sport so there is not such a foundation as it is in UK that can provide to an athlete the "salary" in order to be able and follow the sport he or she loves. Rowing was and is my passion but because of that reason I mentioned before many good athletes stop rowing and have to find another job that maybe don't like much and they put themselves in a situation like the one you describe waiting for Saturdays and Sundays.
do 80% of people actually say that? im super astonished, i think it may have something to do with jealousy that theyre stuck in their 9-5 whilst youre a professional athlete.
Not only is rowing a real job but it’s a flippin hard job (I imagine). The constant fatigue and pain you put yourselves through, and the constant pressure to perform, be it on a 2k test or in the races, because if you don’t perform you lose your seat and potentially funding. Don’t get me wrong, I would love to be a professional rower (just need a shed load more talent and fitness) but I would think it’s tougher than most people’s ‘real’ jobs out there.
I admire your positivity during what sounds like a tough time! Im slowly coming back from an injury, and I’ve found and am still finding it extremely tough to remotivate/keep pushing to get back into top boats, how are you doin that at the moment?
Thanks I appreciate it! I think being positive helps so much in life. I am. Doing well, trying to be patient waiting for my operation to remove tonsils
People just love to tag everything and if they don’t get it or cannot pigeon hole it then they will always try to knock it. At Denny High School, careers advice was pretty much zero so having any aspirations out of the ‘norm’ just didn’t happen. After working my way through your archives, being a professional athlete is a bloody hard job and it’s 7 days a week which isn’t motivated by financial reward (footballers etc being the exception!) with the majority of motivation fair and square on your shoulders. It’s a shame I got into rowing late but have never regretted it - too many positives to outweigh any gut busting training sessions 😎
When I was rowing, I got payed close to zero. Maybe in 12 years I got like few hundred euros, lol, but I still did it. I never looked at it as a job, it was more like relaxation after school :)
I think because people only ever see the athletes at official races or winning events etc, they never see the work and dedication that goes into it. Some rowers at uni make rowing their whole lives outside of their degree, so I imagine for a full time athlete it's way more intense. A lot of people just don't know how hard you have to work to win and succeed in a sport, it's as if they think it comes naturally.
I WAS TALKING WITH PETER HAINING AT HOLME PERRIEPONT HE TOLD ME SOME OF THE TRAINING HE DOES LIKE ROWING LOCH LOMOND GET ON A BIKE CYCLE TO LOCH NESS THEN ROW THE LENGTH OF THAT LEGEND
80% of your friends have no concept of what it takes to be a high performance athlete, or what it takes to compete at an international level. It will be extrememly rare to find the comittment and dedication that professional athletes have equaled in the corporate enviroment. If you can avoid the 9 to 5, I'd hightly recommended it. Zombies are always looking for new recruits! Seriously, though, respect to those who do the day in and day out office work. I just that they need to have some sort of perspective.
I think I may have came across slightly wrong about 80% call. But nonetheless I agree with you. But obviously I haven't worked a 9 to 5 in a long time and you forget the struggles!
How does the financial side of rowing for GB work? If you're part of the set up at Caversham do you get funding or does everyone rely on savings/support from family/external sponsors to make ends meet?
The team is supported by lottery funding. Rowing receives one of the biggest amounts of funding after cycling and I think sailing. As a result of this we are able to be funded. This gives us enough money to pay rent, bills and put food on the table. We are so appreciative of such a scheme to allow us to pursue our dreams of competing at the Olympics.
I was into rowing (nowhere near Cameron's level) about 15-18 years ago - and people told me I'd never make money rowing or chatting to people unless I became an Olympian.. now I'm a personal trainer who chats to people and teaches them to use the rowing machine for a living - and love my job - so tough cookies to the naysayers.
Haters gonna hate! #yamsquad
Shocking that 80% believe that. The work that you guys put in... not just boat and gym but also time, nutrition, public & press events, etc... that’s a tough full time job & an extremely worthwhile one, you should be proud of yourselves for making it happen!
So many people don’t understand that being a professional athlete requires time and dedication. Rowing isn’t just a sport, it is a lifestyle that you have to embrace. University rowing is one thing which is utter hell sometimes. Doing your work and then knowing you have 2 training sessions per day, early morning then uni then evening training and sleep and repeat! When it steps upto National level it becomes your life full time! Love the vlogs that hopefully is filling your time while you prepare for your next season! Keep up the good work 👍🏻
I agree. Uni was a stressful time, not enough of it in the day! Thanks for the support, I hope to keep going!
I have started following you by accident to be honest and I like your vlog they are really cool to see even some minutes of how someone is working out in such a level. Unfortunately for me in my country,Greece, rowing is a recreational sport so there is not such a foundation as it is in UK that can provide to an athlete the "salary" in order to be able and follow the sport he or she loves. Rowing was and is my passion but because of that reason I mentioned before many good athletes stop rowing and have to find another job that maybe don't like much and they put themselves in a situation like the one you describe waiting for Saturdays and Sundays.
Sounds like a fortunate accident! But it is unfortunate that people like yourself don't get to follow your passion!
do 80% of people actually say that? im super astonished, i think it may have something to do with jealousy that theyre stuck in their 9-5 whilst youre a professional athlete.
You'd be surprised how many people do say that. It may be, or it may be more of an old fashioned view
Not only is rowing a real job but it’s a flippin hard job (I imagine). The constant fatigue and pain you put yourselves through, and the constant pressure to perform, be it on a 2k test or in the races, because if you don’t perform you lose your seat and potentially funding. Don’t get me wrong, I would love to be a professional rower (just need a shed load more talent and fitness) but I would think it’s tougher than most people’s ‘real’ jobs out there.
Got it in a nutshell there. All these things add up! I would say all jobs have their difficulties though, rowing is just more physical!
I admire your positivity during what sounds like a tough time! Im slowly coming back from an injury, and I’ve found and am still finding it extremely tough to remotivate/keep pushing to get back into top boats, how are you doin that at the moment?
Thanks I appreciate it! I think being positive helps so much in life. I am. Doing well, trying to be patient waiting for my operation to remove tonsils
People just love to tag everything and if they don’t get it or cannot pigeon hole it then they will always try to knock it. At Denny High School, careers advice was pretty much zero so having any aspirations out of the ‘norm’ just didn’t happen. After working my way through your archives, being a professional athlete is a bloody hard job and it’s 7 days a week which isn’t motivated by financial reward (footballers etc being the exception!) with the majority of motivation fair and square on your shoulders. It’s a shame I got into rowing late but have never regretted it - too many positives to outweigh any gut busting training sessions 😎
When I was rowing, I got payed close to zero. Maybe in 12 years I got like few hundred euros, lol, but I still did it. I never looked at it as a job, it was more like relaxation after school :)
Indeed!
very relatable!
I think because people only ever see the athletes at official races or winning events etc, they never see the work and dedication that goes into it. Some rowers at uni make rowing their whole lives outside of their degree, so I imagine for a full time athlete it's way more intense. A lot of people just don't know how hard you have to work to win and succeed in a sport, it's as if they think it comes naturally.
This is very true. And sometimes rowing doesn't look hard when racing! Sometimes....
Cameron Buchan Spectators don't feel the stinging when you're only 500m in
Too true!
Weird that someone doesn't regard GB Rowing as a job, that's national service; serving the country!
Are the 2ks coming up freerate?
The 2ks are very free rate. Going for fastest possible!
I don't know why my rate 24 2k is quicker than my free rate 2k...
Is it possible that the rate cap makes you pace it better? Do you find your final 1k to be much weaker than the first 1k?
Could hit the nail on the head here!
I WAS TALKING WITH PETER HAINING AT HOLME PERRIEPONT HE TOLD ME SOME OF THE TRAINING HE DOES LIKE ROWING LOCH LOMOND GET ON A BIKE CYCLE TO LOCH NESS THEN ROW THE LENGTH OF THAT LEGEND
Id like to see that 80% of people put in the hours and make the sacrifices you guys do and see how long they last.
This is true! Would be an interesting experience
You going to try and be a coach once you retire from GB rowing?
That's a good question. I have completed some coaching qualifications while I have been on the team so that will help!
80% of your friends have no concept of what it takes to be a high performance athlete, or what it takes to compete at an international level. It will be extrememly rare to find the comittment and dedication that professional athletes have equaled in the corporate enviroment. If you can avoid the 9 to 5, I'd hightly recommended it. Zombies are always looking for new recruits! Seriously, though, respect to those who do the day in and day out office work. I just that they need to have some sort of perspective.
I think I may have came across slightly wrong about 80% call. But nonetheless I agree with you. But obviously I haven't worked a 9 to 5 in a long time and you forget the struggles!
How does the financial side of rowing for GB work? If you're part of the set up at Caversham do you get funding or does everyone rely on savings/support from family/external sponsors to make ends meet?
The team is supported by lottery funding. Rowing receives one of the biggest amounts of funding after cycling and I think sailing. As a result of this we are able to be funded. This gives us enough money to pay rent, bills and put food on the table. We are so appreciative of such a scheme to allow us to pursue our dreams of competing at the Olympics.
Just do it! :-) Who cares what the say!
Cutie...