Elin Thomas 2022-2025

I first started coxing at Bedford Modern School when I was 13. I was lucky enough to win a round of the PE in 2021, this gave me a taste of what winning a round at HRR was like, and left me hungry for more.

Joining NUBC from school was an absolute baptism of fire - the standard was higher, the sessions were longer, the commitment was greater. I’d be lying if I said it was an easy adjustment, but knowing what I know now, I wouldn’t change it for the world.

I started out as a fresher in the men’s third eight, NUBC surrounded me with some great athletes and coaches, meaning I was able to learn a lot in my first couple of years. I progressed to the men’s 1st/2nd eight in my second year, and ended up coxing the women’s 1st eight in my final year.

That final year at Newcastle was awesome, some highlights include winning Champ 8s at BUCS Head and BUCS Regatta (where we also picked up the overall and women’s VL!), and of course racing in the final of the Island at Henley. Although, I must say, the crown jewel was spending the majority of my waking hours with a fantastic group of women whom I continue to admire.

I coxed a little at London Rowing Club after graduating, and am now spending a lot of time behind a desk at a financial services firm in London.

I could write a book about everything I learnt at Newcastle (as my colleagues would probably attest to), but my two main takeaways are as follows:

  • You will meet your life long best friends at this club, treasure them.

  • The discipline you gain from those sessions and the lifestyle you lead at Newcastle are invaluable, and you’ll carry that with you forever if you so choose. Nothing is as hard as what you do at NUBC. Most days I arrive in the office an hour or two earlier than my peers to revise, and it’s still a lie in compared to most of those morning sessions on the Tyne.

If you're considering joining NUBC, I'd say go for it. The training will challenge you, the people will shape you, and the experiences you'll have will stay with you long after you've left Newcastle.