James first got into a rowing boat aged 7 and it was from this early beginning nurtured by his father, also a talented rower in his youth, that he developed his love for the sport. His early years of rowing were steady and relaxed, this gentle start allowed him to develop a passion for the water and the outdoors beyond simply the competitive drive to win. It was in his latter teenage years and time at Newcastle University that he honed and trained this competitive edge. Winning Henley Royal Regatta and achieving U23 honours by the time he graduated in 2016 with degrees in both History and Politics.
Following graduation James moved straight into the GB National Squad based at Caversham lake in Reading. Through 2019 James had won two World Championship Bronze Medals, a European Silver Medal and multiple World Cup Medals.
Alongside Tom Ford, 2021 was a fantastic year for James. Following gold at the European Championships in Varese, Italy, and the rowing World Cup II in Lucerne, Switzerland, James set his sights on the Tokyo Olympics, where the team secured a bronze medal.
When does James use LifeJacket and why?
As a rower I spend hours in the sun on the water with my skin under constant bombardment by UV rays from all angles. We train in multiple locations across the globe from the Austrian Alps to the Namibian Desert so staying protected and healthy is vital. I’m most at home beside a glacial lake in the mountains! Up there you need all the protection you can get from the burning sun. When margins are so close everything counts and being worn out and drained by the sun can make the difference between winning and losing.
I use the LifeJacket factor 30 for my day to day training skin protection, using the Factor 50 on high risk areas such as the back of my neck and face. The non-greasy formula of LifeJacket is ideal for long rowing sessions where you need it to stay on through the sweat!
Where to see James in action?
See more of James on social or on the British Rowing website
