Claire Collins
Squads
About Claire:
What course are you studying and what level?
MBA
Why did you chose that course?
I worked as a healthcare consultant while training and competing with the US Olympic team and now want to expand my business and managerial knowledge to find new opportunities in the coming years.
When, where and why did you start rowing? And what do you love about the sport?
I started rowing my freshman spring of high school after playing many sports growing up and having swimming as my main sport. I loved the community and the people as well as the powerful physical exertion part of rowing. I continued playing volleyball and swimming, as well as rowing, all at the varsity level, all the way through high school. I think this choice to continue my other activities while I was young really helped me continue my love for the sport as an adult.
What was your first rowing club and coach?
Deerfield Academy and first coach was Lou Kinder
What or who was the earliest sporting inspiration you remember as a child?
I have a distinct memory of watching the 2004 Olympic swimming on TV. I don’t remember exactly why I was inspired, but it must have stuck with me for some reason if I have that memory from 8 years old.
How has rowing and being part of the Boat Race squad impacted your life?
It is an honor to be a part of and an incredibly fun and different way to participate in the sport compared to collegiate or elite rowing.
If you weren’t a rower, what sport do you think you’d excel at?
Swimming? I would like to be good at tennis but didn’t play much growing up.
What is your favourite non-academic book?
Educated by Tara Westover or The Body by Bill Bryson
