Name: Clym

Date of Birth:

8 September 1996

Height:

6’3”

Weight:

85kg

Eye colour:

Medium Blizzard Blue

Hair colour:

Bronde

Rowing stats:

The only novice to have achieved precisely 0% improvement in the first two terms of training, according to statistical analysis. #bareminimum

Star sign:

Virgo

Home town:

The Shire, Devon

Studying what?

Economics

What made you choose rowing?

Attractive girls kept singling me out from amidst my less vertically-endowed companions during Freshers’ week recruitment. Next thing I know, I’m killing myself in a 4-minute test… Seriously, I’m not sure how they did that.

What’s the best thing/worst thing about rowing?

Reaching the final strokes of a 2km test simultaneously combines overwhelming agony and pure, total relief at the imminent cessation of that agony.

How many Warwick Rowers calendars have you appeared in?

You’re looking at my first.

What has been the most surprising/scariest/flattering thing about the calendar?

Johnson was certainly the most surprising – although perhaps not so flattering!

What other sport do you like watching and/or playing? Do you support any football/rugby teams?

I have little to no respect for footballers and I’m always scared for the integrity of rugby players’ facial features.

Favourite food?

Ben & Jerry’s Cookie Dough

Person you would most like to have dinner with?

My girlfriend. (Awwwww)

When you’re not in a boat what would be your dream mode of transport?

As is usual for a baller, I love to fly. Nothing beats a helicopter. Did you know they can land even if the engine turns off?

Where would you most like to go in the world?

Until three weeks ago I’d have said the USA. Since I’m writing this in San Francisco midway through my giant road trip that desire can be considered satiated. How about the rim of an Icelandic volcano next?

What’s your pet hate?

Lazy grammar and bad spelling.

What do you plan to do when you leave Warwick University?

Become an astronaut and be among the first to visit a foreign planet, like Mark Watney in “The Martian”. Failing that I may join a major banking firm in the City of London.

To see more of Clym’s “Blue Blizzard” look check out our New for 2016 Products. And, if you’re looking for a Christmas gift, we now have Gift Certificates in denominations of 10, 20, 50 and 100 in $/£/€!

Here’s another shoot diary and this time it’s Clym. Yes, he’s the guy with the “Blue Blizzard” gaze who might drop by in a helicopter or meet you near some Icelandic volcano. Refresh your memory of Clym’s profile here.

Clym’s Diary

Before the Shoot

How are you feeling? Are you nervous, or excited?

I’m looking forward to tomorrow, it should be fun and I’m pretty sure any initial awkwardness will quickly fade. I’ve heard the shoot is great fun and the weather looks to be perfect. I’ve heard rumours of all sorts of mysterious packages arriving with props for the next few days… I wonder what Angus is planning?

Is this your first shoot?

Yes, I’m a first year at Warwick so this is my first chance to partake.

What are your concerns?

Really regretting my post-exam slump. Starting to think that I put off going to the gym in favour of a lazy night too many times in the last couple of weeks! My gainz were more evident a few weeks ago.

Have you talked to friends/family/other Club members about taking part? What reactions have you had?

Everyone thinks the calendar is great, especially when I’ve explained the cause. I’m amazed how many people have heard of it – it tends to be the first thing I’m asked about when I mention I row at Warwick. My flatmates think it’s hilarious.

People ask,”You’re at Warwick University? Oh, are you one of those naked rowers?”

Have you spent time in the gym toning up for this? How long have you spent roughly preparing? What else have you done to your image? Hair cut? Face shave? Anything else?

I’ve been using the gym several times a week for at least the last three years, even before I began rowing; aside from a slight shift in bias to the all important chest and arms in the past few days, there hasn’t been much change in my training. I had a short and sharp trim from a Birmingham barber about a week ago – I wouldn’t want an unruly lid spoiling Angus’ pretty photos.

I’m keeping “Blue Blizzard” behind glasses until the shoot begins for real!

What are your main reasons for agreeing to take part in the calendar shoot?

I’ve gained so much from being part of the rowing club this year. I feel a responsibility to ensure that students are able to enjoy the same experience in the years to come. The funds raised by the calendar are crucial to our ongoing ability to train and operate as a club. There is, of course, also the charity aspect and that continues the idea of ensuring ability for involvement. Sport Allies works to remove barriers to participation in sports like my own, so it’s a cause that I fully support. I consider getting naked an insignificant sacrifice to make considering the benefit it has to a much larger group of people.

Day 1 First day of the shoot

What happened at the beginning of the day?

The day started early with a fully clothed gym session with the rest of the boys. We made all the last minute gainz we could before heading off in the minibus to the boathouse to meet Angus and Damien. Sadaf was on hand too, to apply various mysterious powders transforming us into flawlessly perfect, photo-ready rowers.

Moving a boat when you’re naked requires some co-ordinated teamwork!

Was it easier/harder to get naked than you thought? What helped break the ice?

During the “any questions” section of Angus’ introductory speech Tristan joked “when do we get naked?” Perhaps predictably the response was “no time like the present”. So, sheepishly we began to disrobe and before we knew it there were willies dangling left, right and centre. I think the sudden surprise of the situation helped to avoid any awkwardness since it was over so quickly and there was no time to build up nerves.

What was the most surprising thing about the first day?

I was surprised by how long everything took. Angus is a perfectionist, and takes his time setting up each shot flawlessly. I hadn’t considered before how difficult it is to arrange a group of naked guys so that each sensitive area is covered from view.

Any funny incidents?

Our Club President, Gus was at the boathouse helping out with the shoot. He was often the only rower fully clothed and behind the camera it was obvious he didn’t quite know where to look. I’m sure he’s become quite familiar with the squad at this point.

His delight in operating the cherry picker was clear. He couldn’t keep the grin off his face as he pointlessly ascended and descended over the boathouse between shots, much to our amusement.

Gus brought a rugby ball – who knows why!!! We’re the Warwick Rowers!

Day 2 Second Day of Shoot

Was it easier to get started today?

I was so tired after the first day I was asleep by 9pm and felt well rested waking up this morning. Unfortunately I was too comfy under the covers in bed to make another early morning gym trip, so it was a more leisurely start to the day.

What do you do between shots?

Today we were shooting at Sherbourne Manor, which was a very civilised experience. The rowers discovered the delight of naked croquet. Many a mallet was swung while we waited for the next shooting opportunity. It’s fair to say some experienced greater success than others; maybe rowers lack the tactical foresight required in this sport!

Clym and Alex take a moment’s rest from swinging their mallets!

Are you having fun? Who is the joker who makes everyone laugh?

It’s been great fun being with the guys, we all get on so well and bounce off each other constantly. Angus’ inputs have been hilarious – I think his sense of humour might be dirtier than our own! It’s great that he gets on well with the group, and it helps with the shooting process.

Taking the plunge naked – because Sport Allies is worth it!

Experience more of Clym in the 2016 England film and in our lovely coffee table book, as well as the calendar in our shop. He’s the rower with the “Blue Blizzard” eyes – make sure you get a good look at them!

Name: Cameron

Nickname?

Not very exciting I’m afraid… Cam. Suggestions are welcomed.

Date of Birth?

21 November 1994

Height:           

1.89m -let’s just call it 6ft3”    

Weight:

80kg

Eye colour:

Blue                       

Hair colour:

Dark Brown

Rowing stats – personal bests?

My first and only 2K test last year was under 7 minutes… just! It took me a while to come back from injuries in Term 1 this year, but I’ll be setting plenty of Personal Bests in the coming months!

Star sign:

Scorpio. Not something I normally take any notice of but I just looked it up and apparently my element is water. That’s got to be a good thing!

Home town:

Currently I live in Cheltenham, but I was born in Edinburgh and that’s what counts. After all, you can take the boy out of Scotland but you can’t take Scotland out of the boy!

Studying what?

Half way through a four year Maths and Physics degree. I often wonder how and why…

What made you choose rowing?

It’s completely different to any of the sports I have done previously. It’s a huge mental and physical challenge and great way to keep fit. Before coming to university lots of people felt the need to tell me, “You’re tall, you should have a go at rowing.” I regretted not trying out in my first year and got hooked from the very start of second year.

What’s the best thing/worst thing about rowing?

Lack of sleep is an issue but I hated falling behind the rest of the squad while I was injured and unable to train fully. The “stash” (any form of kit with UWBC on it) is great, but the feeling when you actually win a race (even if it’s the Novice F Final at BUCS) makes up for all the hours of pain you put in to get there!

How many Warwick Rowers calendars have you appeared in?

This is my first one. Here’s hoping it’s a success!

What has been the most surprising/scariest/flattering thing about the calendar?

I didn’t realise quite how big and far reaching the calendar was until I got properly involved. It’s amazing what a difference the project is making and the potential to keep doing work for a great cause!

What other sport do you like watching and/or playing? Do you support any football/rugby teams?

I grew up playing rugby. I’m a Gloucester supporter, but Scottish rugby will always come first; they need all the support they can get!

I had a go at most sports when I was at school and like to boast about always making the first team… what I don’t add is that we often only had one team!

Favourite food?

I really like Mexican food. You just can’t beat fajitas. Quick, easy and so tasty!

Person you would most like to have dinner with?

I idolised Jonny Wilkinson growing up and would love to meet him. When I was young I applied to his TV programme ‘Jonny’s Hotshots’ on CBBC. I think I’ve still got the little video we made to showcase my nine-year-old rugby talents!

When you’re not in a boat what would be your dream mode of transport?

At the moment I still need to take (and pass!) my driving test. However, give me some good weather, a reliable bicycle and some nice countryside (without too many steep hills) and I’m happy!

Where would you most like to go in the world?

I have some family in Australia and New Zealand, but despite plenty of pestering I still haven’t managed to convince my parents to visit. The lifestyle out there sounds great and it’s a beautiful part of the world. I’m sure I’ll get there eventually!

What’s your pet hate?

With so much training I’m always hungry and hate to see any good food go to waste!

What do you plan to do when you leave Warwick University?

No idea whatsoever. Hopefully when the day comes to graduate I’ll have got a bit further with this; I’ve heard it’s kind of important.

To see more of Cam with the rest of the rowers visit our shop – there are so many exciting views to choose from!

Name: Alex

Nickname:

Han Shan Ree, Hand Shandy…The Lid           

Date of Birth:

8 October 1993

Height:           

6’4                                   

Weight:

90kg

Eye colour:

Deep blue                       

Hair colour:

Dark brown, but it changes from time to time!

Rowing stats?

Hmmm my personal best…probably finishing an erg 2k in 6:36

Star sign:

Libra

Home town:

Guildford

Studying what:

Just graduated with an engineering degree (somehow)

What made you choose rowing?

Being tall is a good rowing quality, I am tall. Simples.

What’s the best thing/worst thing about rowing?

The best thing about rowing is getting a personal best. Nothing beats that feeling of knowing you’ve done the best you ever have. The worst has to be training to get to that point.

How many Warwick Rowers calendars have you appeared in?

This is my first.

What has been the most surprising/scariest/flattering thing about the calendar?

I did a meet and greet up in London last year and hearing first hand how much it meant to people was humbling. I think that was the most surprising and flattering thing to me. I think the scariest was posing next to a tree in Spain covered in very large ants, especially with very tender areas exposed.

What other sport do you like watching and/or playing? Do you support any football/rugby teams?

I grew up as an avid athlete and rugby player.

Favourite food?

It’s found at a world-renowned restaurant called la Wheel de la Catherine. It has a special place in my heart.

Person you would most like to have dinner with?

Ali G, no reason necessary.

When you’re not in a boat what would be your dream mode of transport?

Nissan Micra, I’ve a thing for nice cars.

Where would you most like to go in the world?

Right now I’d love to go back to Vancouver where I grew up. I haven’t been back there for about 12 years now.

What’s your pet hate?

Oh no I love pets, I even have a dog.

What do you plan to do when you leave Warwick University?

I wish I knew as it’s already happened – I think I’ll go find myself.

You can see more of Alex in our 2016 England and Spain films – they’re definitely worth a look!

Name: Cian  (pronounced Kee-an)

Nickname?

C-Dawg (self-appointed… hasn’t caught on yet)           

Date of Birth?

1 September 1995

Height:           

6’4”                                   

Weight:

200lbs (I used pounds so it sounds more impressive)

Eye colour:

Blue                                               

Hair colour:

Brown

Rowing stats – personal bests?

6:29.3 2k #andwhat

Star sign:

You could definitely figure this out from my birthday. But that’s just me being a typical Virgo I guess.

Home town:

Watford

Studying what?

A BA in Economics. I already have a PhD in Bantering!

What made you choose rowing?

Someone asked me to try it out during Freshers and I’m very bad at saying no. Things have kind of snowballed since then.

What’s the best thing/worst thing about rowing?

The worst is definitely the early mornings. Tyra Banks says the most important item in your makeup bag is a good night’s sleep, but according to my coaches this doesn’t justify skipping training. The best thing is that it’s an excuse to eat as much as I want all the time, although some have accused me of taking this ‘carte blanche’ too “literally”.

How many Warwick Rowers calendars have you appeared in?

One. More to follow shortly.

What has been the most surprising/scariest/flattering thing about the calendar?

All the hoards of instagram followers I’ve received off the back of it. Some people argue three hundred isn’t strictly ‘impressive’ but then they’ve clearly never heard of a few plucky Greeks taking out a 300,000 strong Persian force. #InstaArmy

What other sport do you like watching and/or playing? Do you support any football/rugby teams?

I’m a fan of rugby and support Ireland and Leinster. Although they’ve both just had a pretty bad few months, so I’m open to new suggestions.

Favourite food?

All of it. Preferably all at once.

Person you would most like to have dinner with?

My girlfriend told me I had to say her, but any of you who have been lucky enough to stumble across my Instagram know that my heart truly belongs to Tom.

When you’re not in a boat what would be your dream mode of transport?

It’s pretty hard to beat driving about in my old Ford Ka – otherwise known as the “speedmobile”. The best part is that it’s a sky blue colour to bring out the blue of my eyes!

Where would you most like to go in the world?

Marbella. One day I’ll make it there. One day.

What’s your pet hate?

When all my ‘mates’ go on holiday without me. Probably somewhere cool like Marbella!

What do you plan to do when you leave Warwick University?

Continue with my modelling career because I can really feel it starting to take off. Just the other week someone said to me, “Oh, you go to Warwick? I’m a massive fan of their rowers’ calendar. I even know all of their names… Have you ever heard of it?”

You can see Cian and Tom, together with the rest of the lads, in our 2016 calendars and the England films.

This year we took our photo shoot and filming outside the UK  because our inspired photographer Angus Malcolm felt that this would add a new dimension to the calendar and films.  We asked the rowers who were fortunate enough to make the trip to the sunny Costa del Sol to share their experiences with us – here’s the first Spain diary from Alex.

How did you feel about being invited to the Spain shoot?
I felt extremely privileged as I know a couple of the boys were invited out there last year and so I had seen some shots of what it was like, but it didn’t even cross my mind when I decided to do the calendar this year.

Is this your first visit to Spain? First visit to Costa del Sol?

I’d been to most other countries around it, but just never been to Spain, so yeah this was my first time, which was even more exciting. Plus, I think that the Costa del Sol is one of the best places for first impressions of Spain, so I feel I was very fortunate to come here on my first visit to the country.

What did you think the area would be like?

Very hot and sunny and not much beyond that I guess.

What were your first impressions of the coast?

A little warm with some pretty dark and boring views…I arrived at night so I guess that didn’t help. But, waking up to a sensational panoramic view of the mountains and sea in insufferable heat is something I won’t forget for a while though.

Look at that view!

Where did you do your first shoot? What was that like?

The first shoot was at a gorgeous villa that looked out over the whole coast. It was the sort of place you’d only see in films and there were so many shooting locations that it ended up being a busy first day.

What other places did you visit for shoots?
We really got a lot of variety with our locations as we ended up visiting the villa, the beach, some mountains, more mountains…the bedroom.

Our Spanish guest star Fluff getting a cuddle from Tristan

Which location did you like best?
The sun lounger to top up my tan, but in terms of shooting locations I’d have to say the beach that we visited. It wasn’t technically a nude beach, so getting our kit off in front of people was definitely different.

What did you do in your free time?

Kept up to date with my social media accounts and spent time working out which hairstyle I want next. We all went out for a couple of nights as well, in the spirit of ‘work hard play hard.’

This is how we BBQ in Spain!

Is there anything you didn’t have time to do and wish you had? Any place you’d really like to visit another time?

I’m not really sure there was anything that I felt I missed out on this time round, although I think just chilling on the beach a bit more would’ve been good. I’ve always wanted to see the Sagrada Familia Basilica in Barcelona, but it’s quite a distance from Marbella, so I’ll have to do that another time.

Shooting in Spain is a fairly new location for the calendar – what do you think it adds to the images and the enjoyment of making the calendar?

I think that we try very hard to produce a calendar every year that’s better than the previous and it’s becoming increasingly hard to create new and original content using the boathouse as a location. Spain adds so much in terms of stunning scenery for the calendar content as well as being an extremely enjoyable location for the guys to shoot in, which comes across in content like the Spain film.

Nature meets natural!

If you haven’t downloaded our Spain film yet then you can get it delivered in minutes when you go here.

Cameron’s Diary

Before the Shoot

How are you feeling? Are you nervous, or excited?

I am unsure what to expect as this is my first shoot of any kind, clothes on or off. I am quite nervous, but also looking forward to spending a few days with the close friends that I have got to know over the year and not having to worry about revision or exams, which have finally finished!

Is this your first shoot?

Yes.

What are your concerns?

I have never been fully naked in public, so I don’t know what to expect!

Have you talked to friends/family/other Club members about taking part? What reactions have you had?

I kept it quiet from my friends for a while until I had fully decided to take part. I spoke to my parents about it from the start and discussed the reasons for doing this. In the end it was fellow club members who convinced me to commit to the calendar project as there was a good group of us and it’s all for a good cause.

There’s always time for some friendly banter!

Have you spent time in the gym toning up for this? How long have you spent roughly preparing? What else have you done to your image? Hair cut? Face shave? Anything else?

Training this term has been increased anyway so I haven’t made a significant change to my routine in preparation for the calendar shoot but I definitely have been more conscious of what I eat. I had the majority of my exams the week before, which reduced training slightly. Nonetheless, I inevitably had more motivation for certain exercises in the gym than during general training.

What are your main reasons for agreeing to take part in the calendar shoot?

I had heard about the successes of previous years and thought it would be a great thing to be able to say I have been a part of. The calendar raises awareness all over the world for a great cause and is an opportunity for me to contribute toward this goal. As a member of the Warwick University Boat Club, which has such successful and well known calendars, I didn’t think I would like to miss out on taking part, especially having heard how much fun it is to shoot!

Day 1 First day of the shoot

What happened at the beginning of the day?

It was an early start for everyone in order to get down to the boathouse early and having had some short introductions it was time for the makeup. Having never worn make up in my life this was interesting in itself. Luckily it was a warm day, so keeping t-shirts off after having make up done was easy enough. I felt like a minor celebrity when I heard that our makeup artist had recently prepared Pharrell Williams for one of his shows.

Zach getting the Pharell Williams treatment!

Was it easier/harder to get naked than you thought? What helped break the ice?

We then had our first talk as a group with Angus giving us the plan for the week. The first time we got naked was unexpected, but that was probably for the best as it avoided the awkward build up to it. Angus asked if we had any questions and one reply was “when are we going to get naked?” This was duly answered with “Right now!”, and so it began. From then on it was much easier to do and we gradually became more comfortable with stripping off.

What was the most surprising thing about the first day?

I was most surprised about how quickly I got over the initial worry of being naked with everyone. Soon enough it became quite normal and the feeling of freedom was quite strange as we posed for different shots.

Any funny incidents?

The water fight shots were particularly funny as most of them descended into chaos with several people ending up in the river by the end. But, when all of us then had to jump in the river it wasn’t as funny because the water was freezing!

That water was freezing, but we were having fun!

Day 2 Second Day of Shoot

Was it easier to get started today?

Day three was shot in the grounds of a nearby manor house. This was very different to day one in terms of the location, but it still got off to a slow start with make-up. There were a few photos taken in the morning with gradually more people taking part once their makeup was finished. Some of the group had to go off at lunch time to train whilst the rest of us went off for a pub meal, which was much appreciated! This took quite a bit of time out of the day, but we knew that shooting in the middle of the day was most difficult due to the height of the sun in the sky, so this wasn’t a problem.

What do you do between shots?

I particularly enjoyed learning the proper rules of croquet as there were several lawns around the house for us to play on. It turns out that there are many more rules than you might expect and a game with all of us playing took a very long time!

What was the rule about putting the ball through the hoop?

Are you having fun? Who is the joker who makes everyone laugh?

The shoot is much more fun than I anticipated and lots of inappropriate jokes were made while we put our bodies into often unnatural positions, and really tested the boundaries of our comfort zones.

Day 3 Third day of shoot

How do you feel as the shoot is coming to an end?

I was only available for the first two days of the shoot, but I was extremely tired by the end of it! Long days on my feet made sure of that, even though I didn’t have specific gym training to do each day unlike some of the others. It is a shame for it to be ending so soon for me, but I am looking forward to waking up at slightly more reasonable times and pigging out a little bit on some of life’s treats now that the bulk of the calendar shooting is done.

Time to relax with a Pimm’s after two days on our feet!

Would you take part in it again?

I would definitely take part in this project again as it was really good fun and should make a real difference and raise awareness for the Sports Allies programme. The good weather was a real bonus because I’d imagine rain and cold would make it a lot less comfortable.

We’ll be back with more diaries soon!

If you’d like to know more about Cameron read his profile, and to see him in action, download our 2016 England film. 

We love rowing and many of us enjoy other sports as well, whether it’s taking part in them or being a spectator. So, we thought you might like to know who our sporting heroes are and why we admire them. Here’s Zach and his hero – Boris Becker.

My Sporting Hero by Zach

My hero is Boris Becker because he changed sport for younger players. He was an international unseeded player when he managed to win Wimbledon, one of the toughest Grand Slam tournaments, in 1985 at the age of 17. He showed that you can be successful from a young age as long as you just work hard, focus and keep your head in the game.

He went on to win six Grand Slams — including Wimbledon three times — and he is still very involved in tennis, which shows his commitment to it. He still plays and he’s a very entertaining and knowledgeable commentator plus he involves himself in multiple media channels and is known for giving respect to his fans by answering their text messages and tweets personally. 

His career, particularly his early Wimbledon win, gave other unseeded players hope and ambition that they might not have otherwise had. This, plus his discipline and focus, is why Boris is my sporting hero.

Boris Becker wins Wimbledon at 17! .

This year we wanted to share more about us with you in addition to our Rower Profiles. You may have read some of our Shoot Diaries already, and our Sporting Heroes series has just started publishing. We all like to travel when we can, studies and rowing permitting, so we thought you might enjoy hearing about our favourite destinations, and Zach’s choice is so appropriate for this time of year that we let him go first!

Chamonix

My Favourite Destination – Chamonix by Zach

I love Chamonix for its  crisp mountains and runs/ pistes that suit every skiing capability. There are four main areas in the resort, so there is always plenty to do regardless of how long you are there for. You can travel to different areas for either skiing via a public bus, or travel into the town each day for a stroll around it, and you can get there by bus as well. Each part of the area feels different and has its own climate due to range in height with the mountains – 1035 to 3482m — so that makes it more interesting than a number of other ski resorts I’ve visited. Also, the views of Mont Blanc itself are beautiful and there are many off-peak pistes that offer a clear sight of the very top of this iconic mountain. 

My favourite place to eat is Poco Loco Burger Bar in the main Chamonix town and I’d highly recommend a visit to Bar La Chavanne up the mountain, which has a hot tub underneath the chair lift. It sells great hot dogs, beer and hot drinks – it’s definitely suitable for buzzier travellers!

Strolling around Chamonix town is relaxing after some hard skiing on these slopes.

Staying in shape is hugely important to us!

Who likes January?* We hope you’re enjoying your new Warwick Rowers calendar, of course, but otherwise, we know this can be a bit of a grim month. Here in England, it’s cold, damp and dark, and we’re now back at university, which is always a bit of a jolt – but especially after the Christmas holiday, when most of us have hit the mince pies and the mulled wine more than we’ve hit the gym!

As competitive athletes, we have to get back on top form as fast as we can. The best way to get back in shape after a period of eating too much and doing too little is, not surprisingly, through a combination of diet and exercise.

Of course, that’s easier said than done – even if you have a coach breathing down your neck and a bunch of team-mates who are pointing fingers at you when the boat sinks just a little further than usual into the water…

We’re watching out for sinking boats!

So, we thought maybe we could help those of you don’t have the mixed blessing of a coach and a crew to keep you in line! We got together to talk about what we do, and today we bring you our top diet tips. Next time we’ll bring you our top training tips.

Diet Tips

1. Breakfast like a king! It is the most important meal of the day. People who skip it will be more likely to snack and eat more in the evening. We like to eat eggs for breakfast. Eggs are an inexpensive way of giving your body a great start to the day. Research has shown that if you eat an egg or two for breakfast that you will stay feeling satisfied for much longer than if you have a grain-based start to the day, such as cereal or toast. Indeed, any protein rich foods in the morning will stop you from snacking. Other food ideas are smoked salmon, scrambled tofu or natural yoghurt with seeds, nuts and berries.
2. Watch out for snack attacks! Carrying bags of nuts and seeds around might seem like a great way of avoiding less nutritious snacks, like chocolate bars, but these foods are actually quite high in calories and should be included sparingly. Yes, they are a great way of boosting protein and low GI carb intake, but keep an eye on the portion sizes you’re consuming. If you need a snack, go for raw vegetables and a dip, a miso soup or a can of tuna with salad or pulses.
3. Dine like a pauper! Dinner should be your smallest meal of the day because the calories you eat then tend to be stored rather than burnt off. This is especially true if you don’t take much exercise. If you must eat a larger meal in the evening try to eat before 7pm as this provides more calorie-burning time before bed. The later you eat, the harder it is to use up that calorific energy – which otherwise gets stored as fat.
4. Don’t kid yourself at the gym! When you want to lose weight, watch out in particular for those “after exercise treats”. If you find yourself going to the gym twice a day, and then having a brownie after each session, you may be going for the brownie, not the burn! But they’re still calories, and they still count – so cut them out, even if it means fewer trips to the gym.
5. Don’t set yourself up to fail! Few of us can focus all our energies on this. People generally have other responsibilities to manage, too, which means that diet and exercise sometimes get pushed down the agenda. So be realistic. Aim to lose 1-2 lbs per week and set your calories intake at 1200-1500 per day. Too few calories and the diet won’t last because you’ll feel hungry most of the time, and when you get stressed, you’ll give in.
6. Not all carbs are created equal! Some carbs are good, and some are just plain evil! Replace white bread with wholemeal bread, rice with brown rice, and pasta with alternatives such as lentils, quinoa, couscous, peas and potatoes (not fried though). Although some diets suggest you leave carbs out altogether, it’s not a great idea because they do play an important role in producing physical energy and in maintaining chemical balance in your body. Alex says “Always aim for low GI carbs such as kidney beans and lentils, sweet potatoes and barley.” Also, don’t make carbs the focus of a meal, just add a handful of them to a dish. For example rather than heap rice on a plate, add some to your protein and vegetables.
7. Have a strategy for evenings out and visits to restaurants! When you’re trying to get in shape, a meal out can pile on the calories. So, here’s what we do: eat something small like a boiled egg before you go out and drink water so that you never turn up hungry, especially at a buffet style event (otherwise, we tend to pile our plates up at least three times!!). Choose grilled dishes and avoid rich sauces. Don’t drink too much alcohol because that encourages you to choose unhealthy foods.
8. Drink as much as you can! Sadly, we mean water. We aim to drink four litres of water daily. If you drink 500ml with every meal, 500ml when you wake up and before you go to bed, that just leaves 1.5ml to have between meals. Keep a water bottle with you and this should be quite easy and will make you feel great. Avoiding soft, sugary drinks is an absolute must and when it comes to alcohol, well, think about the fact that a pint of beer adds 215 calories to your intake and a glass of wine (175ml) is 130 calories. Cutting down on alcohol is one of the most effective ways of cutting your calorie intake, and while it’s good to have a drink – a glass of red is good for your heart (Lucas favours French wine obviously!) and for your outlook on life –avoid binge drinking and stick to a few glasses at the weekend.

Good luck!

The Boys

Xxx

*We apologise to our supporters in the southern hemisphere, for whom January rocks! Our advice to you is to focus on wearing sunscreen, drink lots of water and let your swimwear tell you if you need to consider any of the other tips above.

Don’t forget your sunscreen!

And if you haven’t got your 2016 calendar yet – it’s not too late! You can even use it to keep track of your progress with the great monthly planners! Get yours now at our shop!

Coming up next – our exercise tips! 

Cian’s Diary

Before the Shoot

How are you feeling? Are you nervous, or excited?

Before arriving for the shoot I was slightly apprehensive but mainly just looking forward to it as a new and novel experience.

Is this your first shoot?

Yes.

What are your concerns?

I’m not sure I had any specific concerns going into the shoot; obviously committing to putting your image out there is a big and irreversible decision, but I was happy that it was for the right cause.

Have you talked to friends/family/other Club members about taking part? What reactions have you had?

I definitely discussed it with my family and some of my friends before the shoot, who were all incredibly supportive of me getting involved.

Have you spent time in the gym toning up for this? How long have you spent roughly preparing? What else have you done to your image? Hair cut? Face shave? Anything else?

I switched from full fat to semi-skinned milk. That was pretty tough in itself.

What are your main reasons for agreeing to take part in the calendar shoot?

I thought it would a lot of fun and a once in a lifetime experience, but mainly I just thought it was a worthy cause to devote some time towards.

“You’d better come back right now! Look, you’re being filmed!”

Day 1 First day of the shoot

What happened at the beginning of the day?

We all met at the boat house and were introduced to the amazing team running the shoot and then we had a run through about what exactly to expect in terms of the format of the shoot for the next few days.

Was it easier/harder to get naked than you thought? What helped break the ice?

It was easier than I thought it would be. The initial awkwardness was quickly blown away by a few jokes.

What was the most surprising thing about the first day?

How long I had to spend in the makeup chair; I didn’t think one could improve upon perfection, but apparently I was mistaken.

“Don’t look now but there’s a man behind the tree with a camera!”

Day 2 Second Day of Shoot

Was it easier to get started today?

Yes, it was much quicker and smoother on the second day.

What do you do between shots?

I had rowing outings and training sessions before and between shoots on every day, so I was pretty busy.

Are you having fun? Who is the joker who makes everyone laugh?

Me of course!

Day 3 Third day of shoot

How do you feel as the shoot is coming to an end?

Training and shooting every day is starting to take its toll, so although I’m sad to see it ending I’m definitely looking forward to a well-deserved break.

Would you take part in it again?

Definitely!

“Let’s hide in these bushes. That man with the camera won’t find us there!”

Although we’re rowers, three members of the calendar cast have chosen rugby players as their sporting heroes and with the RBS Six Nations tournament starting this weekend, it seemed the perfect opportunity to share Harry’s, Cian’s and Cameron’s heroes with you.

Chris Robshaw – England Rugby captain

My Sporting Hero by Harry

Who is he/she?

My hero is Chris Robshaw, former captain of the England team. 

What do you admire about this person?

A lot of things, but overall he’s a true example of hard graft and attitude getting you success in life. In terms of his attitude there’s a lot to learn from. His bounce back after being cut entirely from the 2011 world cup squad to being England rugby Captain is an amazing feat within only a few months. Despite a huge number of doubters and nay sayers he has remained one of the most consistent England players for the past three years. In terms of hard work he doesn’t stand out for exceptional strength or speed but the stats don’t lie about his work rate and bravery, he puts his body on line topping the tackle count nearly every single match. He gives his all for the good of the team. Through his attitude and hard work as well as down to earth nature he’s won the respect and loyalty of his squad. These qualities are what I think everyone should aspire to perform and Robshaw is evidence of the benefits as he had the incredible honour of leading England into a home world cup four years on from being told he wasn’t good enough to play for his country.

How does this person benefit sport – in your opinion?

As I said, his attitude is inspirational in terms of where it has got him in his career. It has also in my opinion had a profound effect on England rugby culture. When Stuart Lancaster took over in 2011, the England rugby team was in a terrible state with an awful reputation on and off the field. Lancaster made Robshaw captain when he took over as he knew he would set the best example in terms of respect for the sport and a player’s part as a role model for others. The effect of his inclusion and attitude can be seen clearly in the culture of England rugby now and the redemption of a number of players who have followed his example. The culture that Robshaw demonstrates and endorses is one that is translatable across all sport, especially team sport in terms of selflessness and leadership qualities.

Brian O’Driscoll – Irish Rugby legend

My Sporting Hero by Cian

Who is he/she?

The one and only Brian O’Driscoll. The greatest player to ever pick up a rugby ball (save perhaps me when I played at school)

What do you admire about this person?

He adapted so much over his career to remain at the very peak of his profession; when he started out he was a very young and quick player, but as the years wore on and he lost a few yards he became a brilliant defender and tactician. Towards the end of his career he was remarkably unimpressive athletically and yet he was still one of the best players on any field – an inspiration to people up and down the country as he never let his physical shortcomings hold him back.

How does this person benefit sport – in your opinion?

I used to think it was due to the level of professionalism he brought to Irish rugby, something it had always been lacking but desperately needed. Then I read his autobiography and it turns out that he went out after a match in France once and ended up throwing up on the Champs Elysées. Either way he’s clearly a top bloke.

In what ways do you think this person is a good role model for younger people, or for all ages?

A role model both on and off the pitch; once in a post match interview he was asked if Martin Johnson would be able to convert his playing experience into becoming a good manager. Brian’s response? “Knowledge is knowing a tomato is a fruit, wisdom is knowing not to put it into a fruit salad”. To this day I’m still trying to figure out the exact meaning behind this message, but it clearly puts him in a very elite category of wordsmith – Oscar Wilde eat your heart out. In BOD we trust!

Johnny Wilkinson – the England hero who inspired a new generation.

My Sporting Hero by Cameron

Who is he/she?

Jonny Wilkinson, retired England rugby player.

What do you admire about this person?

As I was growing up, Wilkinson was the talisman of English rugby. The 2003 World Cup was the first major sporting tournament I remember watching and I will never forget the drama of the final. His composure to score the winning drop goal in extra time was unbelievable. It was particularly impressive that whilst playing in France, later in his career, he learned French and I clearly remember seeing him, as captain, giving a team talk in French to the squad. This was inspiring to see how Wilkinson never took anything for granted and how much respect he commanded from fellow players.

How does this person benefit sport – in your opinion?

Wilkinson brought a real professionalism towards rugby and was the best in the world as a result of his hard work and dedication. He showed the rugby world what was possible and challenged others to match him. Unfortunately, he had a lot of injuries after the 2003 triumph but kept coming back and performing.

In what ways do you think this person is a good role model for younger people, or for all ages?

Wilkinson has always maintained a good public profile. Despite his fame he has stayed grounded and is a great example of how hard work and practice pays off. I was an aspiring rugby player and Jonny made me want to play and improve, especially as I played in his position. I have read an autobiography of his and this made me realise that he was actually just a normal guy like anyone else, who wanted to stay grounded, train hard and avoid too much limelight.

At the end of January 2016 we attended the National Calendar Awards at the prestigious Stationers’ Hall beside St Paul’s Cathedral in London. We were nominated for Charity Calendar of the Year. Did we win? Watch and find out what an amazing night this turned out to be for the team!

Lucas’s Diary

Before the Shoot

How are you feeling? Are you nervous, or excited?

I guess I am more excited than nervous!

Is this your first shoot?

Yes, as it is my first year here at Warwick.

What are your concerns?

I don’t really have any concern… I am a very relaxed kind of guy!

Lucas and Tom making rowing look relaxing!

Have you talked to friends/family/other Club members about taking part? What reactions have you had?

I have talked to my parents about it, and although my mother was a bit less enthusiastic about it, both of them thought the cause was worth it and liked the idea of me being involved in such a project.

Have you spent time in the gym toning up for this? How long have you spent roughly preparing? What else have you done to your image? Hair cut? Face shave? Anything else?

In terms of physical training, I didn’t change what I was doing in my training plan for rowing. It’s regatta season so we are supposed to be fitter than ever at this time of the year. And 10/11 sessions a week is enough to look alright during the shoot! Maybe I did extra bicep curls in the gym when I had time but that is all!
We were asked to get a fresh haircut before the shoot so I went to the barber and I obviously shaved my face like I do normally!

What are your main reasons for agreeing to take part in the calendar shoot?

The first reason is the message it spreads and the cause. I know a few LGBT+ people who count a lot in my life and it was an opportunity for me to do something for the whole community and for them. We sometimes forget how it can affect them in sports and showing them our support is very important. Some of the money generated goes to Sport Allies and its goal is to reach out to young people who are challenged by homophobia and bullying in sports. It is also very important for our boat club, apart from some of the benefits of the calendar, we don’t get a lot of funding and it is hard for us to compete against other universities who have budgets twice as big as ours, and often more. And also, I think the shooting the calendar with my friends is going to be a lot of fun so why not take part in it

Day 1 First day of the shoot

What happened at the beginning of the day?

We (the rowers) met the staff we were going to be working with for the shoot (Angus, Damien and Sadaf) at the boathouse. For me it was the first time I had met them, apart from Angus whom I had already met previously in a meeting about the calendar earlier in the year. After meeting everybody, we discussed how the next two days were going to be organized and everything.

Was it easier/harder to get naked than you thought? What helped break the ice?

I think it less awkward than I thought it was going to be. I had already been naked around my mates before after training in the changing rooms and stuff, but I thought the context would make it slightly different. Turned out it was very natural! I guess having a few guys who had already done the calendar last year helped with breaking the ice as they knew what to do!

Lucas and Tom remember to bring the boat back.

What was the most surprising thing about the first day?

The most surprising thing about the first day was the amount of gadgets and accessories Angus and Damien had with their cameras, it’s almost like Angus had a different lens for each one of us!

Any funny incidents?

There were too many to remember one in particular!

Day 2 Second Day of Shoot

Was it easier to get started today?

Well, we did the shoot of the first day in a different location (Sherbourne Park) so it took us quite a long time to set everything up again, but at least we knew the routine, so I guess it was easier!

What do you do between shots?

We mostly shared some good banter about the previous shots, played with some of the shoot accessories, ate chocolate biscuits (I don’t know if I’m allowed to say that) and also had some good chats with Angus, Sadaf and Damien! We also had to fit our training in between shots, so some of us went away to row during the day.

Lucas is out rowing – again!

Are you having fun? Who is the joker who makes everyone laugh?

The shoot is a lot of fun. I’m really enjoying it! Johnson has been the central character of the calendar and was here to make everybody laugh!

Day 3 Third day of shoot

How do you feel as the shoot is coming to an end?

Although the shoot is really enjoyable, it is pretty tiring. We had to be up early to do our training before the shoot and still be at the shoot in the morning to get the best light for the photos. And, also stay there quite late in evening, as both morning and evening provide the best light for the shoot. So I felt relieved at the end, but at the same time it meant no more naked banter with the guys!

Would you take part in it again?

I am going to Spain in a few weeks to do some more shoot with Angus and some of the boys, so I guess I am already pretty committed to the project! But the journey until our calendar and film are released has only begun and I will wait to see how the overall journey goes to see if I’ll take part in it next year. But so far it has been pretty successful.

In Spain, this is how we stroll!

Anything else you’d like to add?
I just want to thank the people we have worked with as they made the shoot enjoyable for me. It was the first time I was doing it and it went really well!

What a view of Marbella!

You can see much more of Lucas in the England and Spain films as well as in the WR16 calendar. Please pop over to our shop and have a browse!

My Favourite Destination – New York City by Tom

New York is probably one of, if not the most, famous cities in the world, which means as you walk around you are constantly recognising places from movies and popular culture. There is so much to do around the city and so much going on that you will never be bored. We spent hours everyday just walking round and visiting places that we’d seen countless times in various films and TV shows. I love holidays where you spend time on the beach relaxing, but for me there is something special about exploring a city, because you completely forget any stresses you may have from work/exams as you are completely absorbed into a different culture.

When I went, I was lucky enough to go to the Grand Central Oyster Bar, which is one of the most famous restaurants in Manhattan and also the oldest restaurant in Grand Central Station – it opened in 1913. I would definitely recommend going there as from what I remember (I was only about 10 or 11 when I went) the food was great and it’s really cool inside, plus the atmosphere is great. It would be the ideal place to take someone for a romantic date!

Grand Central Oyster Bar

It’s hard to recommend one thing to do as there is so much to do and if you only have a limited time I would recommend just getting a street map and walking round as it’s very hard to get lost as, unlike London, the streets are well organised and I think walking round a city is the best way to see it. However, if I was to recommend one it would be to take a helicopter ride around Manhattan. We went on a beautifully clear spring day and the views were simply incredible.

One of the reasons that we all value taking part in the calendar and filming is that supports  Sport Allies as well as our helping us participate in rowing. We asked each member of the WR16 calendar cast to write a few words about what Sport Allies and challenging homophobia in sport means to them personally. Here’s what Harry has to say…

I think anything that discourages people from taking part in sport and makes them lack the confidence to find a way to participate needs to be confronted, especially when it is something as harmful and backward-thinking as homophobia.

Personally, I went through a bad break up last year and it was one of the lowest points in my life ever. I joined rowing about the same time it happened and the discipline, training, new friends and social events opened my eyes so much and helped to keep me focused on the more important things in my life. I know sport is what got me through a really debilitating emotional low and helped me continue to achieve and progress at university. It was so important for me this year in a way that’s hard to fully articulate.

Personally, to think that the immeasurable benefits of sport are denied to someone because of something as horrendous as homophobia is hard for me to stomach. I’ve seen that it is still prevalent in other sports at uni and there’s even more of it in schools. Raising awareness and breaking gender stereotypes needs to happen fast in sport at all levels and Sport Allies will help to make this happen. For me, this is a fight for a very important cause and that’s why I’m in it.

Los Amigos in Spain

How did you feel about being invited to the Spain shoot?

Tom: I was really excited to go out to Spain. The shoot at the boathouse had been so much fun that I couldn’t wait to do it all over again, only this time it wouldn’t be much warmer and much sunnier!

Tristan: I was initially quite apprehensive about the whole thing as the prospect of going to Marbella with a cameraman present at all-time had me thinking I was on an episode of the BBC TV show “Sun, Sex and Suspicious Parents”, (in which parents spy on their kids holidays to Europe’s clubbing hotspots). In all serious though, having thoroughly enjoyed the summer shoot this year I was thrilled to be invited to Spain.

Is this your first visit to Spain? First visit to Costa del Sol?

Tom: I used to visit Spain a lot as a child as my grandparents had houses there. In fact one of them was very close to where we stayed this time on the Costa del Sol, although I hadn’t been since I was seven, so a lot had changed since I was last there.

Tristan: Yes, I’d always wanted to visit Spain before but never had the chance.

Tristan brings the Haka to Spain on his first visit

If you have been before, where did you go?

Tom: I had been to Marbella and Puerto Banus before when I was younger but that was 12 years ago. I had never been to the Atlantic coast though, so I had no idea what to expect there. When I was really young my grandparents had a house near Alicante but I can’t remember that really as I was so young.

Tristan: See above! It’s my first time.

What did you think the area would be like?

Tom: Well I hadn’t been to mainland Spain for 12 years (I had been to Lanzarote, and I’m in Lanzarote now as I write this!), so I remembered it as being hot and dry. What I hadn’t remembered was quite how hot it could be and how beautiful the mountains are-they are stunning!

Tristan: A lot of my friends had been to Marbella (or ‘Marbs’ as they called it) for drinking holidays in the previous year. It was this, amongst other things, that made me assume we’d be bumping into the cast of TOWIE screaming ‘NO CARBS BEFORE MARBS’ before downing 5 Jägerpints (a pint of Jägerbombs). I was however pleasantly surprised. The area we stayed in was unbelievably beautiful and the local culture was still very much undisturbed.

Tom on an Atlantic coast beach

What were your first impressions of the coast?

Tom: My first impressions were that there were so many boats out on the sea cruising about and that the mountains were absolutely stunning. Where we were staying, the view of the evening sunlight casting shadows on the mountainside and glittering off the sea was incredible. It was also clear it was a very affluent area from the number of boats, nice cars and lovely restaurants.

Tristan: Having grown up in Cornwall I’ve always been near the coast. However, driving past Gibraltar and being able to see the Moroccan coastline is something a bit different!

Where did you do your first shoot? What was that like?

Tom: The first day we shot in the grounds of an incredible house. It was perched like a fortress on the very top of a mountain and had an infinity pool that we shot in that looked right over the town below and towards the sea. At sunset the views were amazing but there were also some lovely seating areas where we took some great shots. It was an amazing house and it was so kind for the owners to let us shoot the-it’s an experience that I’ll never forget. They also had some lovely dogs that followed us round all day, although they weren’t as cute as Fluff!

Tristan: Our first shoot was in a €30 million luxury villa, a nice contrast to my mouldy, student flat in Coventry. There were some fantastic backdrops available to us, and lots of fun toys to play with between shots (although I think they were intended for somebody much younger than us who lived there…oops!)

No, it certainly isn’t Tristan’s student flat in Coventry!

What other places did you visit for shoots?

Tom: We also visited a beach on the Atlantic coast where we shot some really great photos and got some amazing drone footage as the sun was setting over the beach. It was a bit of a road trip to get there but we didn’t mind as it was along a beautiful coast road with panoramic views across to Gibraltar and Morocco-not a bad commute. On the beach we were doing a film shot where we ran towards the camera and as we started filming a very large group of Spanish girls appeared and stood and watched. After a little bit of embarrassment from both sides to begin with we chatted and had our picture taken with them, but they were pretty shocked when they first realised what was going on. . We also did a few shoots up the mountain which again was amazing. My favourite one up the mountain was when we covered ourselves in charcoal from a burnt tree we’d been climbing and did the Haka. It was the last shoot we did all together and it was really fun.

Tristan: We shot in a plethora of different locations this year, including a beach on the Atlantic coast, two shoots in the hills overlooking Marbella and a bedroom shoot at Angus’s apartment

Which location did you like best?

Tom: My favourite location was the house we went to on the first day as the views were incredible and the infinity pool was the best pool I have ever been in. Although we did a couple of shoots with Angus’s dog Fluff, and they were so much fun as she is the cutest, most excitable, fluffy puppy I have ever met!

Tom, Tristan and the fluffiest puppy in Spain – Fluff!

Tristan: The Atlantic Coast was great fun. We started shooting away from the rest of the beach goers, so when the call came for us to run into the sea naked, past crowds of locals we were somewhat sceptical about what their response would be. Our initial concerns were clearly misplaced as we were greeted with applause and wolf whistles. A later shot required us to run out of the water in a straight line. However, as we approached dry land we realised that we were heading towards a group of Spanish girls, who were happily taking pictures not in any rush to move out of the way. This resulted in them getting a nice team photo with our naked selves, and a chance for me to practice my favourite Spanish phrase: ‘Dónde esta la fiesta?’

These beaches were made for naked running

What did you do in your free time?

Tom: In our free time we would either train by going for runs in the mountains or doing body weight circuits (we still have to keep fit on holiday!). We also went out in Marbella and Puerto Banus a couple of times, which was a completely different world to the clubs we’re used to at university. The rest of the time we just relaxed and enjoyed spending time with each other in the warm and sunny area.

Tristan: We went in the peak of summer so the hot tub and swimming pool were great ways to keep cool in our free time. We also had to keep up with our summer training routine, so morning runs in the Marbella hills were a necessary if not gruelling way to wake up. On the last two nights of our stay we sampled the local nightlife, which required us to dress up for once!

Is there anything you didn’t have time to do and wish you had? Any place you’d really like to visit another time?

Tom: I would really like to have gone to Puerto Banus harbour to see all the huge yachts, unfortunately we didn’t have time for that. I would love to get a chance to go on one of the super yachts, because I think you could do some great shoots on them.

Tristan: We managed to squeeze so much into a short week that I left without feeling like I’d missed anything out. Obviously Spain is a country with a rich cultural history and so there are many different areas that I want to explore. Watching El Classico (Real Madrid vs. Barcelona) would also be quite nice.

Boys on the beach…

Shooting in Spain is a fairly new location for the calendar – what do you think it adds to the images and the enjoyment of making the calendar?

Tom: I think it adds variety to the pictures. Barford is lovely but it has very little to make the backdrop for the photos interesting, whereas shooting at sunset up a mountain or on a gorgeous golden beach just adds something else to what are already wonderful pictures. Also in Spain we got to meet Angus’s dog Fluff so that was definitely a bonus!

Tristan: The Spain trip was more than purely a week of shoots. It was a great chance to visit a stunning part of the world with some mates and have fun doing something a bit different. I hope that the enjoyment that we shared throughout the week comes across in the images, and if not I’m sure that the video will contain endless footage of me being hilarious.

We’ll be back Marbella!

You can buy our Spain film for instant download – then you can see for yourself what we got up to in Spain!

Some of the rowers in the 2015 calendar went on tour in the USA in December 2014. Here’s Tom’s account of his days in LA and all the things he loved about it. 

I was thrilled to be invited on the Warwick Rowers’ U.S. Tour. Taking part in the calendar shoot was a totally new experience, and meeting Sir Ian McKellen in London’s Mayfair Hotel at the 2015 calendar launch was something I never imagined I’d be doing. But going to Hollywood, then New York and Miami– well, I certainly didn’t think I’d be ‘on tour’ when I arrived at Warwick University and joined the rowing club. It was a big change from my little house in the Welsh valleys! This is my diary of my days in LA.

Tom and Chris quickly adjusted to the LA lifestyle.

Friday 28^th November

Stayed at Ollie’s house the night before the flight. We were like excited kids at Christmas and were up at the crack of dawn, eager to get the bus to the airport. We hadn’t slept much, but we didn’t care. Amazingly, I had two empty seats beside me on our Virgin flight, so I stretched out and made up for my lost beauty sleep.

Tristan and Chris were on the same flight as Ollie and I. We were all wearing Sport Allies hoodies. The cabin crew wanted to know who we where and what the#WR15 and Sport Allies was about. After we told them our story they insisted on having a photo with us at the end of the flight!

When we touched down in LA the heat hit me like a blast furnace. Sadly, that was the last California sunshine we saw. The next day it poured down…and the next…and the one after. But having a 4×4 jeep to play with more than compensated for the weather. Plus, once we put Chris the efficient German behind the wheel, I sat back and fell in love with LA, its palm trees, wide and open roads, vibrant energy and positive vibes.

It isn’t always sunny in LA – but Chris is smiling!

Sunday 30^th November

Interview and editorial shoot with The Backlot. This was a new experience for us: we were wearing clothes and Angus wasn’t taking the photographs. It felt like we were a boy band. In some of the shots where we hang upside down on bars, you can see my face turning red as the blood rushed to my head.

We were interviewed at The Abbey in West Hollywood, or WeHo. While we were there we got an invitation to a World Aids Day event in the evening. This involved lighting the Christmas tree.

It was a privilege to be invited to light the Christmas tree on World AIDS Day.

Monday 1^st December

Buzzfeed Day! We were met by Sam Stryker, the “Editor/Office Troll” according to his Twitter profile. He said we were going to feel like superheroes. “Naked rowers, our favourite homophobia-fighting athletes!!!” the Buzzfeed website announced. We fixed problems naked: we fixed coffee machines, printers, wifi, emails, boring meetings, deadlines, staplers and more.

In the evening we went to the World Aids Day event. When we arrived, the paparazzi were waiting for us. Just joking: they were waiting for Kris Jenner and Kim Kardashian! Still, it was cool to walk through the wave of cameras. The Belvedere Boys dressed as icemen were incredibly designed and ripped (made me look bad), but the highlight of the night for us was having a photo taken of us holding Kris Jenner up. Friends at home couldn’t believe it when we posted it on Facebook.

Then things got even more unbelievable: Lisa Vanderpump (of “Real Housewives of Beverly Hills” and “Vanderpump Rules” TV fame) invited us for a drink at her restaurant Pump. (It was fun sitting down with Lisa and talking to her about Sport Allies and the calendar. She’s a big supporter of the LGBT community. I didn’t write: “sit naked next to a celebrity and have your photo taken” on my bucket list, and now I don’t have to. I’ve done it!

But the highlight of the evening for me was meeting Lisa’s dog Giggy- full name Gigolo Vanderpump Todd! She allowed me to hold him on my lap!

This isn’t Giggy – but Tom has managed to find another pooch to cuddle!

Tuesday 2^nd December

E! News Shoot was the first of three things on our agenda today. We met the two lovely presenters, played Twister on TV (as you do) and chatted about Sport Allies and the calendar. It was my first time in front of cameras and I was certainly a bit nervous at first. Gradually it got easier.

Next we went to World of Wonder for more bizarreness: we wore Christmas costumes (well, sort of) and sang Christmas carols rather badly. We enjoyed singing though. Laurie, Tristan and Chris posed with random Christmas objects to recreate some of the calendar shots. All in all, a fun day with some twists!

Wednesday 3^rd December

Back to Buzzfeed! After our British speedo-wearing, superhero day at the office, I wasn’t sure what to expect today. We spent the day with the Try Guys – Buzzfeed guys who try things for the first time. Today they wanted to try naked modelling. It was another unpredictable and surprising day. 

This is our ‘serious superhero’ look!

Thursday 4^th December

An embarrassing day for me. Ollie, Chris, Tristan and I decided to run from the Griffith Observatory to the Hollywood sign. It started off well, but the others are better runners and when I stopped to tie my shoelace they had disappeared into the mist by the time I looked up again. Into the hills! I ran on confidently, but then the paths forked and guess what? I took the wrong turn and ended up on a golf course a few miles away. A kind person gave me a lift back to the Observatory. The 4×4 jeep was empty. I did find them on top of a nearby hill, just about to call the police and send out a search party. And all this in torrential rain: the worst in three years we kept hearing. No wonder people kept say “You brought the weather with you!”

“Is that where you got lost Tom?” Tristan asks.

Friday 5^th December

Last day in LA! One final interview before the Big Apple with Entertainment Tonight. The presenter asked us to strip down to our onesies and play a game of “Guess the Bum!” She showed us shots from our new film “Some Like It Hotter” – we identified everyone’s bum with ease. Some volunteers in the studio want to know what it’s like to get lifted on to a rower’s shoulders – like in our calendar cover shot. So we happily obliged!

Here are some of the ‘bums’ in the competition.

Next stop was the Kitson store where we signed calendars, photos, posters and had our photos taken with supporters. We find meeting supporters one of the most rewarding aspects of doing the calendar: it’s great to hear supporter’s stories about their experiences of homophobia while growing up and why they believe in the Sport Allies message.

And then sadly, it was time to leave. I’d like to give a big thumbs up to Norm’s café for its big steaks pancakes, scrambled eggs, bowls of fruit and unlimited refills- all for 15 dollars!! Rowers are always hungry and America serves ‘rower-size’ portions.

Tom loving LA!

LA is a beautiful city, and because it’s spread out, the journeys in the jeep were more fun with flowing banter and music of all genres blaring all the time all day every day. I loved visiting Santa Monica Pier and seeing the Bubba Gump Shrimp diner (Big Forest Gump fan!) plus, just driving around LA and enjoying its positive energy was wonderful. Oh, and of course… I mustn’t forget the In-N-Out Animal Style! For burgers and fries – they do it best and only in California

On top of all this, the appreciation we received for spreading the Sport Allies message was extremely heart-warming. I feel privileged to raise money for the club and battle homophobia in sports to try and make a difference. My thanks to our supporters and everyone involved comes from the bottom of my heart.

Thank you LA – you’re awesome and so are our supporters!

If you haven’t seen our USA film it’s available for you to download right now in our shop. With special guest appearances from Lisa Vanderpump, Tori Spelling and Kris Jenner.

Lucas explains why supporting Sport Allies is important to him… 

“I’m proud to support Sport Allies.”

Sport Allies is something very new for me. It’s my first year at Warwick and my first year in the calendar. Before coming to the UK for university, I was a swimmer and I don’t think I have witnessed any homophobia in swimming. First of all because it is an individual sport and secondly because I simply never witnessed homophobia during my time swimming. Therefore, I had never thought too much about homophobia in sports and the consequences it could have on LGBT+ people of our generation, and more widely the society as a whole.

But, being involved in the project, talking with the guys and our producer and also seeing some of the research Sport Allies has completed, I have come to realise that homophobia is a threat to self-development, not only for LGBT+ people, but all of us. Experiencing homophobia in sports can harm many and it can also influence someone about how to act towards his mates, and towards life in general by having what is called a “manly attitude”.

One of the first consequence of homophobia, is bullying and discrimination – it harms people directly and results in dissuading young LGBT+ from joining sport clubs (especially team sports) and therefore prevents them from accomplishing their dreams, or sometimes just from experiencing something that teaches life-long values. I am very proud to take part in a project that raises funds for Sport Allies and spreads a message to all athletes out there that sports should be about inclusion and not to force young people into a model of what we think is “normal”.

This time it’s Tristan’s turn to talk about the importance of Sport Allies…

Challenging homophobia is an essential element of everything the Warwick Rowers do.

Before getting involved with the project I was aware that homophobia was an issue in sport, however it’s only in the last year that I’ve truly understood the scale of the problem and the adverse effects it can have on someones personal development. To get to hear the stories of our supporters first hand has been the highlight of being involved in the project for me, their honesty and openness is incredibly humbling and they have helped me gain a stronger understanding of the struggles faced by members of the LGBT+ community.

Whilst taking part in school sport at a younger age, phrases such as ‘man up’ and ‘stop being gay’ were thrown about without people giving much thought to what they were saying. This isn’t a healthy environment to encourage personal development, which is ideally what sport is about. Sport Allies has commissioned research, which shows that members of the LGBT+ community who want to take part in sport at university are half as likely to engage in team sport than their heterosexual peers. This can only be due to previous negative experiences within sport, and this needs to change throughout sport, from beginner to professional level. I want to see this change radically so that anyone who defines themselves as LGBT+ can participate in any form of sport, and that’s why everything the Warwick Rowers do to help this change happen is very important to me.