Naomi Hoogesteger

Naomi took part in a range of sports as a teenager; she competed at county level in athletics, cross-country and hockey. In 2001 she took up rowing and quickly became one of the top U23s in the country. Naomi was Women's Captain of the University Boat Club in 2002-3, and then spent a year on a rowing scholarship in Los Angeles. Following her return to the UK, she competed for the Great Britain Senior Rowing squad. Amongst her best achievements are: 2011 Atlantic Rowing Crossing World Record (31 days 23 hours, only female crew member); 2008 World Quadrathlon Championships 4th place (Swim, kayak, bike, run); 2005 World Championships Bronze medal (Stroke and steerswoman of the Lightweight Women's Quadruple Sculls). Not only has Naomi worked as a voluntary rowing coach, but during the Atlantic row, she and her crewmates raised £35,000 for two charities: Combat Stress and St. Margaret's Somerset Hospice.