Eleanor Brinkhoff, European Champion

How did you get into rowing?

I started rowing as a fresher at the University of Dundee. We were a very novice program with students who often had only been rowing a few years themselves coaching the newbies. Our fleet consisted of mainly Janouseks from the 80s, we had to wade in to the water all year (winter in Scotland meant sometimes breaking ice to do this) and had no facilities or running water. But I fell in love with the sport and some of my best rowing memories were made along that stretch of the Tay.

When did you know you were going to be successful?

I never gave that too much thought I just knew I had an inkling I could maybe be good at this thing even in Dundee. I moved to Australia to coach for 2 years and there I really started training with some consistency alongside working at the school (Gippsland Grammar). Here I broke the cutoff for u23s so decided when I went back to the UK I would give it my all. I moved to TSS for a year then on to Leander the year after. I think the GB system means you never get complacent as there are always upcoming talented athletes chasing your heels

What is your favourite rowing memory?

A really tough one! I've been fortunate to row in places around the world now from Lake Barrington in Tasmania to the Caledonian Canal in Inverness. It's not necessarily one particular moment but in Dundee we decided to go to Henley Womens Regatta in the coxed four. Training for that and then going down south to race was an amazing time with those women.

What are 3 things that set you up for success?

1 - Consistency. Turning up every day and doing the session is far better that absolutely smashing sessions out 80% of the time. There are no real shortcuts to getting fitter, stronger and faster its just showing up everyday and getting the work done.
2 - Mindset. Being able to be self motivated is so important. Leaning on coaches is great but ultimately its you that has to be in it and driving yourself on. Everyone will have setbacks but its about picking yourself up and carrying on knowing that you will come out of the trough
3 - Teamwork. apart from the single rowing is a team sport. You have to be able to work with others and how to get the best out of each other

Whats the hardest session or erg you’ve ever done?

We're on camp right now and there have certainly been some spicy sessions! One of them is a 30 minute piece starting at rate 20 but ending at rate 40, you're clinging on by the end!

If you could row a 4- with any 3 other people ever, dead or alive who would you pick?

Ilona Maher, Katherine Grainger, Sir Chris Hoy