There’s an extra reason to cheer at this year’s Boat Race: for the first time since 1992 we have a rower in the women’s Blue Boat.

Rebecca te Water Naudé, a second year medical student, follows in the footsteps of alumna Alexa Bagnell to compete in the 163rd Boat Race this Sunday.

Rebecca learnt to row whilst in year 12 at Stanwell School, Wales, after replying to an advert from Welsh Rowing looking for “ambitious, tall people”.“They taught me how to scull, but when I started trialling with OUWBC last Michaelmas, I didn’t really know how to row. It was quite a sharp learning curve!”

Rebecca rowed in Osiris and Summer Eights last year, but balancing studies with rowing has been particularly challenging this term.

“We typically train twice a day, every day, apart from Friday. With rowing taking up so much time, it can feel impossible to meet your deadlines, attend all training sessions and still find time to read an extra paper that one of your lecturers has mentioned.

“[But] I feel lucky to have a supportive set of tutors and wonderful peers who help me manage busy days and difficult weeks—the team is also really good at supporting each other.”

Whether you’re one of the 300,000 spectators expected to the line the banks of the Thames this weekend, or simply watching from home, be sure to sure to show your support for Rebecca. We hope all her hard work pays off.
The 2017 Boat Race takes place this Sunday. The women’s race gets under way at 4.35pm and the men’s race, at 5.35pm.

Published: 28 March 2017

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