british rowing

Welcome to another episode of the For Stars Podcast, where today we get to hear from Fergus Mainland. The man behind the mic for “The End of The Island Podcast”, also apart of the Junior Rowing News media accounts, Mainland has always had his foot somewhere in the sport of rowing, whether that be podcasting, writing, researching, or even commentating for British University Championships and Henley Women’s Regatta. 

Fergus attended Newcastle University for five years, where he rowed for their crew team; yet, had to part ways when he was diagnosed with Glandular Fever. He chose to not let his illness get to him, and with the love he has for this sport, decided he could start coaching and being the President for the club team there at Newcastle. Him and some of his friends, established “The End of the Island Podcast” in April of 2020, which is affiliated with Junior Rowing News (JRN) during the world shutdown, and it has been an absolute hit, with people listening internationally! 

Mainland has been involved with Junior Rowing News for the past six years, but the actual organization, has been around for over a decade. JRN, a company of 40-50 people, partnered with British Rowing, is comprised of race previews that are volunteered-based from junior rowing athletes, where athletes get to preview races all around the UK. 

Hudson and Fergus discuss the overall impact and initiative that Junior Rowing News and “The End of The Island Podcast” has had on rowing as a whole, the differences that we see in rowing in the United States and the United Kingdom, how he has dealt with his illness, the naming behind his podcast, and even his love for football and the dynamic of collegiate rowing and all sports in the United States overall. Be sure to tune into this epic episode and Fergus’ show “The End of the Island Podcast”!

Listen on: Apple Podcasts   Spotify

Ep 8. Most of us have done a little bit of charity fundraising at some point in our lives - we've maybe run a 5K or given up alcohol for a few weeks or completed an erg challenge. Most of us haven't raised £42 million for charity. My guest this week, the amazing Bernie Hollywood OBE, has done just that alongside an incredibly demanding career as a banker.  This extraordinarily driven man has run 150 marathons, trekked to both Poles, crossed deserts, and is now planning to row the Atlantic on his own.

Equally importantly, he's just taken up the position of Foundation Manager of Love Rowing - British Rowing's new charitable foundation aimed at increasing diversity and inclusivity in rowing. I was so delighted when Bernie agreed to come on the show as his values align so much with those of Girl on the River, and I was keen to quiz him about exactly what Love Rowing is all about.

In this episode we discuss:

• What motivates Bernie to be such a prolific fundraiser and how it all began
• Why he always refers to his charity challenges as "adventures"
• Bernie's ethos
• Love Rowing - its aims and objectives and how it will work
• How rowing makes a difference in young people's lives
• Bernie's next adventure - the Talisker Whiskey Atlantic challenge 
• The innovations Bernie is introducing to his Atlantic row
• Bernie's ambitions to raise £1 million for Love Rowing and the Samaritans

You can find out all about Love Rowing on its website, here, and on Twitter at @LoveRowing_BRCF. All enquiries about Love Rowing and Bernie's fundraising should be directed to info@loverowing.org.

Bernie's website is here.

The British Rowing Inclusive Club Guide that Bernie refers to can be downloaded here.

The artist who is designing the artwork covering Bernie's boat for the Talisker Whiskey Atlantic Challenge is Justin Eagleton.

The number for the Samaritans is 116 123 (it's free, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year). They also have a self-help app where you can keep track of how you're feeling, and get recommendations for things you can do to help yourself cope, feel better and stay safe in a crisis.