Chris Hughes
Squads
About Chris:
What course are you studying and what level?
PhD in Theoretical Physics
Why did you chose that course?
I work on String Theory Phenomenology. String Theory is (and has been for a while) the most promising candidate for a high energy theory of gravity but drawing low energy (testable) predictions from it has been challegning but remain incredibly important to gain insight into the forces of nature their most fundamental level. The previous sentences probably sound very boring to most readers but I find them very exciting and compelling.
When, where and why did you start rowing? And what do you love about the sport?
At Churchill College boatclub in my first year at Cambridge – for a free burger at the freshers fair.
I enjoy rowing as a hybrid of a team sport and an individual pursuit and believe it gets the best out of both as a result. Crew boats have the community and sense of ‘we are in this together’ of team sports (and of course ultimately you win or lose as a team) but the training is largely individual – you are solely responsible for what your blade is doing and the erg scores are representative of the work you have done.
What was your first rowing club and coach?
Christian Lindig at Churchill College Boatclub
How has rowing and being part of the Boat Race squad impacted your life?
I have become a lot lighter and a lot fitter.
If you weren’t a rower, what sport do you think you’d excel at?
The erging part of crossfit competitions
What is your favourite non-academic book?
Any book on JT gravity – love a good fiction
