Samantha Redgrave Visit to King's Ely

Published by King's Ely Senior School on Thursday 9th of April 2026

Olympic and World Championship medal-winning British Rowing athlete, Samantha Redgrave, was guest speaker at our 2026 King's Ely Boat Club Rowing Dinner! 🙌🏼

More than eighty of our Rowing students, family members, and coaches came together in the Monastic Barn for the annual black-tie celebration, which included a scrumptious dinner prepared by our Catering Team, followed by an inspiring talk by Sam.

Miss Holly Burke, Old Elean and Graduate Rowing Assistant, said: "The Rowing Dinner was a tremendous success! We were honoured to welcome Sam Redgrave as our guest speaker. With students from Years 9 to 13 in attendance, everyone enjoyed a wonderful evening celebrating Rowing and their achievements. Guests also took away valuable insights from Sam’s inspiring speech, in which she shared her Rowing journey, and the highs and lows she has experienced throughout her career."

Sam started Rowing and fell in love with the sport at the University of East Anglia in Norwich in 2013. She rowed intermittently for the following few years while working in the Norfolk and Norwich Hospital as an assistant practitioner until her coach at Norwich Rowing Club persuaded her to trial for GB in 2018/2019. Since then, she has won multiple medals at World Rowing Cups, European Championships, and Henley Royal Regatta in pairs, fours, and eights. She became World Champion in the women’s four in 2022. At Paris 2024, she won Silver in the women’s four.

Mr Craig Ward, Head of Rowing at King's, said: "Sam provided great insight into her battles with injury and managing training around a busy career before entering into the GB Team and taking her opportunity. Her coined phrase "It's only Rowing!" struck a chord with our students, reminding them to embrace the sport for enjoyment and health."

Thank you to everyone who made the dinner such a fabulous occasion, including our Catering Team for the superb food and service! 👏🏽