Felix Rawlinson
Squads
About Felix:
What course are you studying and what level?
MSc in Genomic Medicine
Why did you chose that course?
I’m really interested in gene therapy which is the modification of a gene to prevent or cure a disease or medical disorder! I first learnt about CRISPR-Cas9 and its impact on gene therapy when I was 16 and wrote a 22,000 word EPQ on the future of gene therapy. I’ve been pretty obsessed with the field ever since and actually applied for 5 PhDs relating to the field of gene therapy at Oxford last year. Unfortunately, I did not get these offers and the professors told me to apply for the MSc and try again! So, I’m hoping to learn more about gene therapy and apply for PhD projects at Oxford again this year!
When, where and why did you start rowing? And what do you love about the sport?
I started rowing in 2014 at Radley College aged 13. The first session I ever did was in the single and I capsized 9 times! I was trying to get my sculling socks – socks you get for sculling 3k up to the lock and back. I did finally manage to get my socks on the fourth attempt!
I love rowing for the life lessons and friends it has given me. The sport is literally the definition of chasing excellence. You take thousands if not millions of strokes in a year trying to perfect your technique just so that you can nail roughly 300 strokes over 2 kilometres (or roughly 800 strokes over a Boat Race). The aspect of small gains through disciplined training every day has been invaluable in other parts of my life. In obvious ways like prepping for exams or perfecting research techniques in the lab. To less obvious things like maintaining lifelong friendships – it’s amazing the relationships you can build with people when you take the time to catch up and see how mates are doing! The friends the sport has given me has been wonderful too. There’s nothing quite better than having a great session in the 8 with 8 other people that you truly get along and share the same passion with. Everyone is always grinning ear to ear after a session like that. From Radley to Dartmouth to Thames to now finally Oxford, the friends I have made are truly lifelong and will always be supporting my corner long after the oar has been hung up.
What was your first rowing club and coach?
Angus McChesney. He was also the Master in Charge of my boarding house “F Social” at Radley College and was the one who got me into rowing! I actually nearly opted to do field hockey instead as I thought I was going to be a rugby player and Angus called me into his office! I thought I was in trouble or something and Angus just tore up the paper slip I signed to play hockey next term in front of me! He looked me in the eyes and said “you’re doing rowing”. And the rest is history!
What or who was the earliest sporting inspiration you remember as a child?
Mo Farah. I’ll never forget the 2012 Olympics where the entire last minute of commentary for the 5000m Olympic final was just “MO FARAH” over and over again. He was the embodiment of hard work and discipline to me. A role model to follow.
How has rowing and being part of the Boat Race squad impacted your life?
Massively! The Boat Race has pretty much made up my entire Oxford experience so far. I live with 4 other rowers on the squad in a house. We train every day and often have to make up missed lectures/contact hours in the evenings after practice. I don’t think it’s possible to train for the Boat Race and have it not impact your life!!
If you weren’t a rower, what sport do you think you’d excel at?
Epee! I came 9th in the country at the 2018 national schools fencing championships despite the fact that I was only training once a week! I’m a lefty and have a 208cm wingspan so I think people just really struggled to hit me due to my long gangly arms!
What is your favourite non-academic book?
Finding A Flame Lily by Judy Rawlinson – my grandma! She’s a really good writer and the book stories her teenage years growing up in Africa! It’s a great read!
