Jamie Copus

World Rowing once again caught up with this month’s rower in focus at the 2014 World University Rowing Championships, in Gravelines, France.  With a father and elder brother both talented coxswains, it was only a matter of time before Jamie Copus stepped into a boat himself, but as a rower. 

World Rowing: Where do you study?

Jamie Copus: I study at Oxford Brookes University, Environmental Science

 

WR: How did you get involved in rowing?

JC: I started when I was about 13. I remember my dad got my brother into rowing, he was coxing the British eight. He was a cox and I went to a lot of his regattas. I picked it up and started building year by year.

 

WR: After taking silver for Great Britain in the lightweight men’s four at the 2014 World Rowing Under23 Championships in Varese, you are in the lightweight single here. How do you find the transition?

JC: I’ve always been able to do both. I started with sculling, but then when to school and was sweeping for three or four years.

 

WR: Do you prefer one or the other?

JC: I actually like both for different reasons. I like sweep because of the power you can get, but also because you can row the eight and I love eights. With sculling, I like the precision that comes with it.

 

WR: Where do you see yourself going in rowing?

JC: I absolutely want to win the Olympic gold. That’s why I do it. Hopefully I can keep building.

 

WR: Would you see yourself in the double or the four?

JC: Hopefully, sometime, either or both! I can do both, so wherever I am stronger, or wherever I am needed.

 

WR: What is it like being here with your brother?

JC: It is quite the family affair. We enjoy racing together; it is part of the family. It is quite nice that we can share that together. My dad used to cox, so he inspired us to get into it.

 

WR: And how is it when he is your coxswain?

JC: I would not have anyone else. I love him, he is a really good cox. The fact that we’re brothers, it kind of goes out the window when we’re racing, we zone in.

 

WR: What goes through your head as you line up for a race?

JC: I sort of think, just positivity. It is a brave man who can expel all negative thoughts from his mind. But I just think, you’ve done the hard work, here is the fun part. I try to enjoy it really.  Think about the process, rather than the outcome. Then you just focus on the boat and if you cancel out everything outside of it, then you go as fast as possible. If, at the end of the day, you’ve gone as fast as possible, that’s all you can do.

 

WR: How do find balancing rowing and studying?

JC: It’s tough. I like it because it provides a balance. It gives me something to think about outside of rowing. If I only have rowing to think about, I tend to overthink it. I try to get into work and then get into rowing. I am absolutely enjoying both right now.

 

WR: Where do you see yourself going professionally?

JC: Hopefully rowing for a while, then retire to do some coaching. It can be very rewarding from a coaching perspective as well.

 

WR: Do you have any other hobbies?

JC: I used to play the tenor saxophone. I try to make time for my friends outside of school as well. And I definitely like going to some concerts.

 

WR: Do you have a rowing role model?

JC: There are quite a few. Mark Hunter is definitely one of them, an absolutely class act. Another classic has to be Steve [Redgrave].