“I always race with a toy elephant to inspire me to be as brave” | Susie Dear

Before the 2012 London Olympics, a lot was made of legacy it would leave. The games inspired future generations of athletes. One of these was Susie Dear. 
”
In 2012, Susie was in her first year Oxford Brookes University, studying history and law, and it ‘was a complete disaster.’ 

“I was unhappy, I didn’t have any routine, I didn’t know where my life was going, I was very anxious and unsure as to what I should be doing and how I could get satisfaction in day-to-day life.”

After returning for the second year, Susie had not only managed to continue her education, but found inspiration from the 2012 Olympics. 

“There was a lot of publicity around rowing at university and I knew Oxford Brookes was good at rowing. After quite a lot of encouragement from my parents I signed up to row at the Freshers Fair.” 

Having struggled with first year, you may think that adding more to her workload would have had an adverse effect on Susie. But, instead, she admits that ‘with more to do, [she] got more done.’ 

“I had several different jobs, working in a pub or lifeguarding. It was incredibly hard managing it all, but it was something I absolutely loved. 

“I would often be up very late with my university work, or working, but it was a sacrifice that I was more than happy with. 

“With rowing, a lot of clubs didn’t accept women
for quite a long time and at Henley Royal Regatta
there aren’t anywhere near as many events
for women as there are for men.”

“Rowing at Oxford Brookes was transformational and I am very grateful for the opportunities the club gave me. I will cherish my Brookes days forever.”

Following the completion of her degree, Susie decided she wanted to travel and headed to Australia to row for the Sydney Rowing Club. 

It was at this point that she realised that competitive rowing was something she wanted to pursue. 

“I really missed the competitive environment. I wasn’t sending in scores and I wasn’t being watched or monitored as closely as I was in the UK. During that time, I realised I really wanted to take rowing further.” 

Susie returned to the UK in  2017 heading to Oxford Brookes to begin her MSc in Psychology and started to trial for the British rowing team again. 

It was in the same year that her rowing career accelerated, getting a silver medal at the 2018 FISU World University Championships in Shanghai, China.  

After her medal success, Susie was accepted to row for the Leander Club, the most successful Olympic sporting club in the world. 

“Leander have a big focus on developing individuals onto the national team, and it is an honour to be an athlete at such a prestigious club.” 

Susie admits, as a female rower, the opportunities available at Henley Royal Regatta are fewer than men. In 2016. 2018 and 2019, Susie competed in the Remenham Challenge Cup at Henley Royal Regatta, this year narrowly losing the semi-final. But Susie also admits that, as a female athlete, the challenges you face strengthens a desire to succeed.  

“With rowing, a lot of clubs didn’t accept women for quite a long time and at Henley Royal Regatta there aren’t anywhere near as many events for women as there are for men. This is a shame, as I feel that Henley Royal Regatta is no longer reflective of the standard and depth of women’s rowing.

“At Henley Royal Regatta, the only events available for women are international standard events, and one junior event. Whereas the men have more junior events as well as every boat class from club to international level.” 

“I feel the underlying problem is the
attitude towards women across a
number sports, so it’s going to
take time for these attitudes to change.”

In recent years, Henley Royal Regatta has introduced more female events and is considering elongating the event to make more room for the female races, which is a very exciting prospect for women’s rowing.  

“I feel the underlying problem is the attitude towards women across a number sports, so it’s going to take time for these attitudes to change. However it is really promising knowing that the stewards are considering bringing in more female events, as this will close the gender gap further.

“Racing at Henley Royal Regatta brings a huge sense of achievement, particularly against a backdrop of fewer opportunities to race as a female rower. Something I love about my sport is that I know people have made so many sacrifices.

‘Rowing has reshaped me as an individual and I am hugely grateful to the sport for what it has given me mentally and physically.” 

Away from the challenges that come with elite sport, Susie was also forced to face extreme personal tragedy. 

Last year, whilst rowing, working and completing her MSc, two of Susie’s closest friends died within 3 weeks of each other. 

Susie’s oldest friend, Lucy-Anne, was diagnosed with cystic fibrosis at the age of 18 and passed away from the illness at 25.  

“She died 2 days before a set of GB trials. I was in absolute pieces, just completely beside myself, but I had that tunnel vision. I had a job to do and I needed to get it done. 

“I knew that Lucy-Anne would be so annoyed with me if I didn’t do the trial and I also did not want to let my pair partner down, so I just got on with it initially, but a couple of weeks later I just had a complete meltdown.

“Although at the time the loss of
two very close friends was the hardest
thing I have had to deal with, I actually
think I’m a better athlete for it.” 

“My coach said he was going to take me out of stressful environments for a couple of weeks, and just as I was finding my feet again, another friend suddenly passed away.

“I made the decision to defer my dissertation to the following year, I was so unbelievably sad, and I realised that I could put a hold on my academic studies, but putting a hold on my rowing was not an option.” 

Despite the loss of two close friends, Susie believes she managed to draw a positive out of an awful situation. 

“I learnt how powerful your emotions are when channelled in the right way. Although at the time the loss of two very close friends was the hardest thing I have had to deal with, I actually think I’m a better athlete for it.” 

Now, in tribute to Lucy-Anne, Susie rows and races with something elephant-related with her at all times. 

“Lucy-Anne loved elephants. I now always race with an elephant on me, to represent Lucy-Anne and to also inspire me to be as brave as she was throughout her on-going fight with Cystic Fibrosis.” 

Despite the numerous battles she has had to encounter, Susie’s sights are set firmly on competing at an Olympic Games.  

Having managed to continue to push through the challenges she has faced, expect to see Susie continuing the Leander tradition by competing at an Olympic Games.