shrishti tandon '23 Recruiting Profile

My name is Shrishti Tandon, I am in year 12 at St Paul’s Girls’ School, based in London. I am writing to you regarding the rowing recruitment of women for the class of 2023. I was hoping to tell you my story and why I want to be considered as a prospect rower at your university.

When I was six years old, my parents were struck with the news that I had a slight curve in my back-Scoliosis, a problem with a handful of treatment options, which included wearing a brace, regular visits to a chiropractor, or Swimming…

My swimming journey started with health reasons, but it has become a part of my everyday life, I can largely say that water makes me physically and mentally stronger person. I swam competitively for 10 years and it is safe to say that my parents’ rather large investment in my swimming was very worthwhile. I took part in numerous galas, including the Dubai International Aquatics Championships, Middle Eastern Open, Indian Regionals, where I still hold the 50 m and 100 m backstroke records, and the Indian Nationals, where I am ranked 9th in the entire sub-continent.

Swimming was the foundation which taught me perseverance, discipline and refined my athletic abilities. The skills I developed being in and around the pool gave me success in other sports be it on the court or aquathlons and cross countries. The dimensions of the pool never constricted my swimming prowess as I became the number 1 female swimmer in open water races for the Abu Dhabi sports council.

Whilst swimming played a major role in shaping me into the athlete that I am today, it was in early 2020 (during Covid when I was not able to swim nine times a week as a usually would) when I realised that I wanted to do something new. At my local gym there was an erg, and that is where the rowing journey began. I have been rowing, with professional coaching, for 3 months now, and I can fully say that I love the sport and I, as well as my coaches, are excited to see what I can achieve.

Being a novice to the sport, I know that I will not have as much experience as other rowers. However, I feel that my 13 years of experience around the water for swimming has given me the drive and motivation needed, as well as a good sense for how the water feels under the blades, in my head, every time the blades go in at the catch, I envision myself taking the catch in freestyle.

My Athletic Profile:

Times:

2km - 7:49.09 (this time was achieved on my first 2k test)

5km – 21:08.70

In February 2022, I will be competing in the junior Indian rowing federation virtual erg, where I will be aiming to have a time of sub 7:55.00.

I have also provided my coaches email addresses – they can give you an overview of me and what they believe my times will be by June 2023.

[email protected] – Head Rowing Coach at St Paul’s Girls’ School

[email protected] – Rowing Coach at St Paul’s Girls’ School

Height: 5 ft 7.5

Weight: 65 kg

Position: Seat 5 (sweeping) and seat 2/3 in quads

Competitions: Fours Head (competed in a quad), Wallingford head (competed in an eight). I will be competing at Quintin head, Henley and National Schools Regatta in the new year.

Academic Achievements:

GCSE results: Achieved a straight set of grade nines (highest grade) in all my subjects (Biology, Chemistry, Computer science, English Language, English Literature, Geography, Maths, Physics, and Physical Education)

GPA: 4.0

A-levels: Biology, Chemistry, Economics and Maths

Extra-curricular: Science Society Leader, Economics Society Leader, and Sports Leader at St Paul’s Girls’ School, Virtual work experience with Pinsent Masons, Assistant Tennis coach, Assistant swimming coach at SPGS.

I was hoping we could have a call/zoom meeting to discuss my future at your university and what sort of times you would require from me to be recruited for rowing.

Thank you so much for taking the time to read this personal statement, and I look forward to seeing you soon