Andrew Wilson

I began my rowing career in 1971 at the age of 8 as an occasional cox at Nottingham Boat Club before winning my first “pot” at Burton Regatta in 1975.  I took up sculling in 1976, sweep rowing in 1979 and then in 1983 gained my first GB vest in the Lightweight eight for the World Championships in Duisburg, West Germany, followed by another in 1985 in the same boat and then spare man in 1986.  I was fortunate to be part of Nottinghamshire County Rowing Association from 1981, coached mainly by the late Mark Lees until my retirement from international rowing in 1986.  During this period I rowed and trained with such characters as Carl Smith, Chris Bates, Stuart Forbes, Peter Haining, and of course my brother, Ian Wilson.  Although I never went to University, this period of my rowing career was definitely an education in itself!  It was a 5-year degree course in fine technical rowing, total commitment to each other and the NCRA and a life lesson and skill set that will never leave me.

In 1990, I was appointed the UK and Ireland distributor for Nielsen-Kellerman electronics.  In 1996 Oarsport was formed as we also became the UK and Ireland distributor for Concept2 Dreissigacker Oars, and since 1998 with racing boats designed by Klaus Filter.  These boats are now currently known as WinTech Racing Boats.  It was approximately at this point, my colleagues Dominic Hessian and Terry O’Neill joined the company.

I am married, living in Nottingham with two children aged 15 and 19, who currently both row for Nottingham Rowing Club.  Some of my earliest childhood memories are of rowing!  My sister married a rower when I was just aged 5, I remember my brother walking up the garden path after winning his novices in the late 1960’s, but I think one of my most inspirational memories was seeing my two brothers become World Champions (Lwt 4-) in September 1979.  That day really was a turning point for me, both as a person and rower, and a few years later so pleased and proud to represent my city, county and country with tremendous support from family and friends.