In conversation with the GB Rowing Team: Jake Wincomb and Joshua Bowesman-Jones聽
Josh and Jake talk to BBC Radio Berkshire鈥檚 Tim Dellor about moving to Caversham, selection in the Men鈥檚 Four and racing against Olympic legends at the European Championships
Credit: Benedict Tufnell
For Jake Wincomb and Joshua Bowesman-Jones, selection in the GB Men鈥檚 Four (M4-) at their first senior Europeans is a real 鈥榩inch me鈥 moment. 鈥淚t feels a little bit surreal to be selected.鈥 Josh explains to BBC Radio Berkshire鈥檚 Tim Dellor, 鈥淚 was very close to giving up the sport in November.
“I’d had a tough 18 months with some family issues, but it’s amazing what a bit of adversity does. And they do say, if it doesn’t kill you, then it makes you stronger. I think getting through those tough months has given me a little bit of perspective, a little bit of an edge, and it means that I’m enjoying every minute here at the moment.鈥
“I’m going to race against people I’ve looked up to for the last ten years of my rowing career – what an amazing opportunity.鈥 – Josh Bowesman-Jones
Enjoying training is one thing, but, for 26 year old Josh, sitting in the stroke seat on the start line in Plovdiv is even more exciting, 鈥淚t feels like it鈥檚 been a long time coming, but this will be my first senior event as a member of the team. I think I’m most looking forward to potentially going up against the Croatian Four, with the Sinkovic brothers in. They just became Olympic Champions for the third time, so I’m going to race against people I’ve looked up to for the last ten years of my rowing career – what an amazing opportunity.鈥
For Jake, 22, moving to Caversham to pursue his dream has given him more confidence and allowed him to fully focus on performance: 鈥淚t鈥檚 such a professional setup here, a real step on from when we were at our clubs or in the development phase.鈥 He told Tim, adding 鈥淲e feel so supported in every way. It鈥檚 all about helping to get the best out of us and our crew so that we can be as fast as possible. From having a 2k lake to ourselves, to the food, equipment, coaching and support staff. It鈥檚 all World class and it takes away the stress of outside life so that we can fully focus on rowing.鈥
In Josh鈥檚 view the World class coaching is certainly reaping rewards. 鈥淪ince I arrived at Caversham, I’ve felt like the coaches have worked hard to help me to get better. I know they鈥檙e assessing me and watching what I鈥檓 doing, but at the same time they鈥檙e also helping me improve technically and push on my physiology. They have challenged me but also really motivated me.鈥
So what can we expect to see from the Men鈥檚 Four this season? In Jake鈥檚 mind, the pressure is off. 鈥淲e have a hectic block of racing, with the Europeans and then the World Cups pretty much back to back, but it鈥檚 fun. We have limited opportunities to race, so it鈥檚 actually nice to think we’ve got some exciting competition coming up, I mean, that’s why we all do it at the end of the day.鈥
