April/May 2018 Rowing & Regatta front cover star

Hugo Durward is on the cover of the latest Rowing & Regatta issue which celebrates volunteers and the support they give to our sport

Hugo Durward, 18, has been featured in the last two issues of Rowing & Regatta. In the February/March 2018 edition he was pictured as the National Rising Star Award Winner after receiving the inaugural honour at the British Rowing Volunteers of the Year Awards in early February. This then led to him being featured on the front cover of the April / May edition of the magazine which celebrates volunteering.

The cover photo was taken by former GB rower Nick Middleton at Fulham Reach BC where Hugo volunteered last year, helping to coach the club’s learn to row programme for local schoolchildren.

Hugo said, “It was great fun taking part in the cover shoot. Posing for photographs is the sort of thing I always do badly, but the photographer Nick Middleton did an excellent job making it as close to a normal training session as possible.

“It was an absolute privilege to help coach the juniors. I particularly enjoyed seeing them make a positive change and develop their technique, as a result of a call I’d made, or simply as a result of their own hard work.”

“Very often, as rowers, we are purely focused on our own goals and don’t appreciate what others around us are giving up”

Hugo learned to row at Winchester College and earned selection to the GB junior team at the GB France Match in 2015. He then joined Fulham Reach BC and continued training for junior trials. Last year he volunteered his time to help the coaching team and has loved experiencing the sport from a completely different perspective.

“Being on the other side of the megaphone has taught me to be more appreciative of those who are trying to help,” he says.

“Very often, as rowers, we are purely focused on our own goals and don’t appreciate what others around us are giving up.”

Meghann Jackson, Fulham Reach BC Schools Manager, said, “Hugo is an absolute stalwart at our club. He has coached some of our most deprived schools and has given those students an incredible opportunity and insight to challenge themselves, break down the perceived barriers and really excel.

“He is a huge inspiration to other young people getting into rowing.

“Hugo encapsulates what the sport is truly about – working as a team, challenging yourself mentally and physically and of course having fun!”