In conversation with the GB Rowing Team: Jake Wincomb and Joshua Bowesman-Jones
Josh and Jake talk to BBC Radio Berkshire’s Tim Dellor about moving to Caversham, selection in the Men’s 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’s Four (M4-) at their first senior Europeans is a real ‘pinch me’ moment. “It feels a little bit surreal to be selected.” Josh explains to BBC Radio Berkshire’s Tim Dellor, “I 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.”
“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.” – 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, “It feels like it’s 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.”
For Jake, 22, moving to Caversham to pursue his dream has given him more confidence and allowed him to fully focus on performance: “It’s such a professional setup here, a real step on from when we were at our clubs or in the development phase.” He told Tim, adding “We feel so supported in every way. It’s 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’s all World class and it takes away the stress of outside life so that we can fully focus on rowing.”
In Josh’s view the World class coaching is certainly reaping rewards. “Since I arrived at Caversham, I’ve felt like the coaches have worked hard to help me to get better. I know they’re assessing me and watching what I’m doing, but at the same time they’re also helping me improve technically and push on my physiology. They have challenged me but also really motivated me.”
So what can we expect to see from the Men’s Four this season? In Jake’s mind, the pressure is off. “We have a hectic block of racing, with the Europeans and then the World Cups pretty much back to back, but it’s fun. We have limited opportunities to race, so it’s 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.”
