Do you think attitudes about gay people in sport have changed since you began with the calendar seven years ago?
Tristan: Definitely. Just look at Keegan Hirst, the rugby player, or Gus Kenworthy. Whenever someone comes out, itโs a real big deal, and itโs great, weโre very supportive of it, but in our eyes as Sport Allies, we want to get to stage that when you come out, it isnโt such a great deal anymore, because it shouldnโt be an issue. A big thing for us is that, if you look at the professional football leagues in England, thereโs no out members yet. Thatโs something that needs to change before sport in general can really follow suit.
Will: Nope, missing lecture as we speak.
What are your New York City must-sees?
Will: We hope to see the Empire State Building, the 9/11 Memorial, the Statue of Libertyโฆstandard tourist things. Gotta take a few snaps, too.
For Snapchat, I presume?
Tristan: Yes! Weโve been keeping the trip up to date on Snapchat. Itโs just us being silly and thinking weโre really funny.
Do people ever recognize you on the street as naked rowers?
Tristan: More so this year than in previous years. When we went to LA, we were walking down the street and someone drove by and shouted, โOh my God, itโs the Warwick rowers!โ Someone in London on the tube recognized me too, which was quite cool.
Are you guys on holiday from school?
Lucas: This year we had recruitment for our rowing team, because we are actually a rowing team as well, believe it or not, and a few of the freshman came up to us asking for selfies. And Will was in a local shop on campusโฆ
Will: I think someone just tried to take a sly snap of me in Cost Cutter, and the flash went off. It wasnโt very sly.
You guys are good looking, you take lots of pictures, but youโre not just a bunch of male models. Are you in-season right now?
Will: Yes!
What’s it like being away from training right now?
Lucas: Itโs quite tough.
Tristan: Itโs great to be off training for a bit. Training is tough, especially when youโve gotta keep up with your degree and you social life. But itโs quite enjoyable because youโve got your friends here, we train 12 times a week, and we spend so much time with our teammates. They become more than friends, theyโre there all the time and I can always rely on them.
Will: We share so much with each other. Itโs a good feeling and thatโs one of the best parts of this entire experience, being able to have such good mates. Itโs a great, great thing.
If you werenโt rowing or shooting cheeky calendars, what would you be doing instead?
Tristan: Iโve been a musician all my life. I play the drums, so Iโd be focused more on that. Probably teach some, too.
Lucas: Itโs going to sound a bit funny, but if I didnโt row, I would travel more. I do get to travel quite a bit with rowing, but before rowing, I used to travel every holiday I had, save all my money and just go.
Will: Iโd have too many hangovers if I didnโt row.
Whatโs the best thing that rowing has to offer athletes?
Tristan: I think the friendships you make, because youโre so closely bonded and you respect each other so much. You form relationships that really last a lifetime.
Lucas: A sense of dedication, in that rowing teaches you to be constant in your engagement with what youโre doing, and itโs a great value to have in any area of your lifeโฆyour degree, your job, even your relationships, maybe.
