Sam Bannister

Growing up Sam tried his hand at many sports including swimming and rugby.

He was introduced to rowing when his swimming coach entered him into the British Indoor Championships. Impressively, he came away with a bronze medal and an invitation to try river rowing at Walton Rowing club. He later joined the GBRT Start Programme at Twickenham before going to Cardiff University.

While at Cardiff he competed for Wales at multiple Home countries regattas and qualified for the Diamond sculls at Henley Royal Regatta (HRR). He then moved to Oxford to study a masters degree and to elevate his rowing. He had great success with Oxford Brookes winning HRR 4 times in different events and earning his first GB and Senior vest in the men’s four at WC3 in 2021. He is fascinated by the human body and is currently studying Medicine at St George’s. He works part time in the NHS as a healthcare assistant and is an Army Reservist.