Decided to learn to row when he applied to Cambridge, having played rugby at school. Rowed for Trinity College throughout 2006/07, winning the Lents Headship. Was a ‘spare’ in 2008 and won the Mays Headship with Trinity College that year. Winner of the New Zealand Great Race 2008.

CUBC President in 2007/8 who rowed in the winning 2007 Blue Boat and the 2008 Goldie boat. Developed his rowing skills as a way to get in shape for ice-hockey. His great-grandfather, grandfather and father all rowed. Won the US nationals and went on to compete for the Canadian National team in 2005 in the men’s four. A former Canadian High School Rowing Champion with five Canadian Henley titles.

Started rowing at Trinity College and was two-time winner at Head of the Charles in the college eight division. Rides an orange bike and listens to heavy metal from the 80s. Enjoys tennis and squash and relaxes by playing ping pong or Rock Band on his Xbox. Thinks Michael Jordan is awesome.

Began rowing in 2005 at Bath University and participated in the World Class Start ID programme. His father’s uncle rowed for Cambridge in the 1970s. Enjoys surfing and rugby. Admires Michael Watson, the former champion boxer who completed the London Marathon in 2003 despite his disability.

Began rowing 11 years ago, influenced by his grandfather and father who were both accomplished rowers. Claimed a place in both the 2005 and 2006 USA national teams. Featured in the 2007 USA World Cup squad and still holds all the USA junior records for single scull events. Selected to stroke last year’s Blue Boat, he was forced to stand down during the week of the Race due to a heart condition, atrial fibrillation. Has since undergone successful corrective surgery.

Won the 2008 Spare Pairs Race, despite only starting rowing in 2005 on arrival at Cambridge. Likes listening to rock, especially Modest Mouse and Metallica and his favourite film is Good Will Hunting. His grandfather played rugby for England.

A member of the 2007 GB Junior World Champion coxless four, he hopes to row in the 2012 Olympics. His aunt rowed for Britain in the 1970s and his grandfather was a rugby captain at Cambridge. On the boat he carries a lucky charm that his grandfather gave him – a 1960s Worlds Fair charm with a one cent coin in the middle.

Started rowing at Newcastle University and competed three times in the ‘Boat Race of the North’. In 2008, he was stroke of the winning crew in the Prince Albert Challenge Cup at Henley. He was also placed fifth in the U23 2008 World Championships and fourth in the pairs in the FISU World University Championships in Belgrade. Enjoys running and cricket.

Began rowing aged 12 at The Lady Eleanor Hollis School, Hampton and moved into coxing at 15. Was the spare cox for the 2008 Race. A Henley finalist in the 2007 Prince Albert Cup and winner of the 2008 Great Race in New Zealand with the Light Blues. Studied for her Bachelor’s degree in History of Art at Cambridge. Inspired by her sister, a former GB U23 rower, she remembers watching her first Boat Race in 1999 when Vian Sharif steered the winning Light Blue Boat.