³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ

Raise your Game: How did you get into rowing?

James Roberts: I got into rowing because of the Welsh Amateur Rowing Association. They asked if I'd like to give it a go, and so I did and it's gone from there.

RYG: You're in university as well, how do you manage your time between that and rowing?

JR: This year they allowed me to move up to Reading where rowing is based and arranged to have all my lectures sent to me by either mail or email. Then all I had to go back to university for was a group presentation and an exam. It helps to think about something else when you come home so you're not thinking about sport all the time, then you can focus 100% when you're training.

RYG: Describe a typical week's training?

JR: It would be twice on the water, six times a week, and then three weight sessions on top of that. Overall, it's about 15 sessions a week at the moment.

RYG: How do you cope with high intensity work?

JR: I think the main aim of the training is to get you tired and then you've got to be able to work through it. You've got to be on the ball so that you get the best out of training. We will have breaks, like Spanish siestas, so we can recuperate. We'll be training quite early in the morning, having the rest of the day off and then training at night when it's cooler.

RYG: Has there ever been a time when you've wanted to give it up?

JR: It happens more in training than in competitions, but I speak to my coaches and my family and they say I can give up, but I haven't achieved what I wanted to, so why give up now when I've got all this in front of me.

RYG: What would you say to someone in a similar situation?

JR: I'd say, 'If you really want it, why are you going to throw it away?'

RYG: Do you like to set yourself high targets to achieve or do you set small targets along the way?

JR: I do a little bit of both, but this season it's been little targets because you're more likely to achieve them. Then you can keep going so that if there's a big goal and you don't achieve it you don't feel so disappointed.

RYG: How similar is preparing for a race to preparing for an exam or a job interview?

JR: I'd say it's very similar. You've got to put the work in beforehand if you expect to succeed.

RYG: You're in a team with Karen Cromie, how well do the two of you get on?

JR: Most of the time it goes well, though there are a few arguments here and there. Training is the worst because you're pushed to the edge and you've got a shorter fuse.

RYG: How do you maintain a good team environment?

JR: It's all based on communication. If we communicate with each other, we know if the other is not on the ball, or slightly under the weather. If we're not communicating then something's not right.

RYG: Who are your sporting heroes?

JR: Colin Jackson and Ryan Giggs. Colin Jackson might have been small for his discipline but he was determined to be the best, and Ryan Giggs has given his life to Manchester United. He's shown his loyalty.

RYG: Are you keeping an eye on London 2012 as well?

JR: I am but not at this moment. I'm only 22 so once this has finished I can fully concentrate on London.

RYG: What would you say the most important skills are for someone wishing to get into water sports?

JR: Good technique and a very strong will to succeed.