New Year, new challenge

After a "life-changing" 2022, which saw him complete a 2,000-mile charity row around Britain’s coastline, London Youth Rowing’s (LYR) Andrew Triggs Hodge has another busy 12 months ahead, working to engage more young people in the sport that bought him triple Olympic glory.

Source of inspiration

“Rivers have always been a part of my life.

“Watching how they change, from calm to excited, fascinates me.

“I love the way water moves, how things interact with it and what it can do.

“I was born in Buckinghamshire, but grew up in the Yorkshire Dales, by the River Wharf.

“We moved there when I was one. The area will always have a special place in my heart."

School report

“I have to say I was pretty rubbish at school – including at sport.

“I was always in the back three for cross country running and last to be picked for rugby.

“I can’t honestly say I had a childhood hero or role model.

“It would only have served to highlight my many failures as a youngster.

“I never really felt like I could aspire to anything.  

“I did though from an early age enjoy geography and science – subjects at the heart of my degree later in life."

A social rower

“My introduction to rowing only came when I was a student at Staffordshire University.

“A friend suggested I should try it, because it was fun and a good social sport.

“I thought ‘why not?’, little knowing how it would ultimately change my life."

Olympic memories

“My medal-winning performances will stick with me for ever, obviously.

“But my time competing on the international stage had other really special moments – like just being part of a random crew, with differing abilities, and things going better than anyone thought possible and learning from each other.

“That's a really cool feeling!

“Looking back now, I think I actually learned more from the low points.

“And coming last in the Athens eights final was a low!"

Tideway tales

“My first encounter with the Thames came in 1999, racing the eights Head of the River Race.

“Somehow, it seems to have been part of my life ever since.

“Training on the Tideway was memorable to say the least!

“It could be the most exciting, challenging and dangerous bit of water we used, or the most calm and serine.

“It made us adaptable and tough, great skills to develop for Olympic ambitions.

“When I retired from rowing, my life-long fascination with the marine environment led me to work for both Thames Water and Tideway, during the early stages of the development of London’s long-awaited ‘super sewer.’

“As a rower, my first-hand experience of poo and condoms discharged into the Thames had a bearing too, of course.

”Sewage should never be allowed to overwhelm a natural environment.

”The Thames through central London is no exception.

“Happily, there is not too long to go now before the ‘super sewer’ is in action, adding to the improvements resulting from the Lee Tunnel and Thames Water’s upgrades to its sewage treatment works on the Tideway.

“It’s going to have a transformational effect on the health of the tidal Thames – and, I hope, see many more people engage with and enjoy the river.”

GB Row

“Scientific research was also a key motivator behind my participation in GB Row last summer.

“It wasn’t just about the physical challenge, epic though that was, circumnavigating the nation in a rowing boat.

“We were treated to exceptional views that few get to see.  

”Images of our majestic coastline that stand out in my mind include the inner Hebrides, the imposing Scottish highlands and sunlight never truly giving in to the night.

”But nothing prepared me for the emotional charge of rowing back under Tower Bridge and seeing my family again.

”It was an intense moment, which I will never forget. I missed them massively.

“GB Row was all the idea of Will De Laszlo, combining his passion for rowing, environmental protections and connecting young people with sport.

“In crews of six, three resting, three rowing, rotating every two hours, the round trip from Tower Bridge was a fundraiser for LYR’s Active Row programme, which helps young people from disadvantaged backgrounds nurture their life skills.

“En route, with the help of University of Portsmouth researchers on board, we collected environmental data to help build our understanding of the oceans that surround these islands.  

“It was a huge undertaking, much tougher than I had expected, in a whole range of ways

“Food was army ration packs, and the toilet a pee bottle or 'the bucket'!

”The low point, of course, was the storm that hit us in the Irish Sea, two weeks after setting off, forcing two of our fellow crews to withdraw.

”For hours we had to battle strong side winds and the accompanying waves, exhausted, but with no option but to carry on.  

“The RNLI crew who came to our rescue from Cushendall, Northern Ireland, the volunteers from Red Bay RNLI station said they hadn't seen June weather like it for 38 years.

”The human body’s ability to adapt to this sort of physical challenge is incredible.

”The whole thing was an emotional surge like no other I have ever experienced.”

London Youth Rowing

“In 2023, our focus at LYR is diversifying our income stream. That might sound mundane, but it’s a really significant step for us as a charity.

“The money we raise through events is the blood in our veins. We would struggle without it.

“The support of sponsors is also vital. The PLA, for example, is helping us train coaches to develop stand up paddling opportunities.

“The Oarsome Challenge is the big one. It involves people who have been trained up, but never really immersed themselves in rowing before. Their whole perspective of the Thames, of rowing and of teamwork changes in just a few hours. It’s magical to see.

“On 3 March, there’s also the National Junior Indoor Rowing Championships (NJIRC).

“This year, for the first time, it will be a simultaneous event in London and Leeds. It’s such an important event for us and rowing as a sport. Volunteers can help by participating in Race the Thames Live, or supporting the Life Skills Festival.

“Normally I’m not a fan of indoor rowing events, but at this one we raise the roof. I love it!

"In total, we are now working with over 100 schools, in London, Leeds and Nottingham.

“Given all the challenges Covid-19 presented, that’s a phenomenal achievement.”

Quick fire:

• Will rowing always be a sport for wealthy, white men? The sport needs to evolve enormously before we can move the dial on this, but right now we're doing some amazing things, with a lot more to come!
• What is your Thames Vision? All stakeholders working together, to support each other to produce a harmonious and proactive river society.
• How do you relax and unwind? I have kids, I don't relax or unwind!