Warwick Rowers Strip Down to FIGHT Homophobia in Sports
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Well, that’s not entirely true, but this month a group of the hunky U.K. sportsmen are here in the States promoting their 2015 calendar. And it’s a real page turner as these rowers show off their athletic bodies month by month, leaving nothing to the imagination.
The popular calendar, which started in 2009, is not just a fundraising endeavor for the team; it’s also a way for them to give back to the gay community that has made the calendar such a big success. In fact, the team is raising money for an outreach program called Sport Allies, which supports battling homophobia in sports.
One thing we’ve forgotten to mention, all the guys in the calendar are straight.
During their stop in Los Angeles for various appearances and a world premiere event for the calendar tomorrow night, TheBacklot caught up with them for some photos as well as a chat to talk about why the calendar and its cause is important to them– and what challenges come from rowing in the nude.
(l to r) Warwick Rowers Chris, Tom, Laurence, Oliver and Tristan
Photo credit: Clinton Gaughran
Laurence, who is the veteran of the group with two calendars under his, um, belt, explained it best when asked how the Sport Allies cause came to be. “The cause, in a way, came to us,” he said. “Originally, the calendar five years ago started off as a fundraiser for the club because it was in debt and we couldn’t row anymore. We only sold a couple hundred copies to grandparents and mums and stuff like that. Then two or three years in, the gay community really got behind the club by buying the calendar. They liked the calendar and the pictures but without them buying the calendars, the club would’ve struggled, so through that we thought how can we give something back because without this we’d be in trouble. And based on the guys asking those questions we came up with the Sport Allies messages of how can we, as straight guys, support the gay community and stand up for them as allies and sportsmen. It’s a story that’s still building and will keep growing for a long time.”
Laurence Hulse (Photo courtesy Warwick Rowers/Angus Malcolm)
While some of the guys admitted they were a bit daunted by the idea of being naked for a calendar, Oliver, for example, said their camaraderie as a sports team helped. “We know each other really well, spent a year sitting together in a boat in the cold and the rain. After a couple of hours, it was just a big laugh and we all got into it.”
In fact, being a part of the calendar, according to Tristan, has become a “rite of passage,” he said. “The calendar is such a huge part of the club and the whole message of the club. It’s not expected of you but you feel almost an obligation to it. Not in any way forcing you into it. It’s out of choice.”
Tom admitted to being unsure about joining and wasn’t there for the first day of the calendar shoot but, as he told us, “I turned up on the second day just to see what it was all about. I was the cager and then Angus asked me if I wanted to join in and so I did.”
Angus Malcolm, in his words, is the only one of the guys who never graduates since he’s the man behind the calendar as both photographer and producer. He shared his excitement over bringing the guys to the States not just to spread the word on the calendar but also to offer his thanks in person. “Very early on, Americans became a key part of the community that supported us, so finally it’s great for us to be able to come over here and meet the people who have been supporting us from the very early days so we’re really honored to be here. We want to send a message of gratitude. You guys have been amazing. Thank you.”
(Photo courtesy Warwick Rowers/Angus Malcolm)
You might not realize it as you’re lost gazing at the bodies of the men in the calendar but there are some hazards to rowing in the nude. One might think splinters could be the biggest problem but Tristan explained, “You have a lot of loose objects and a lot of movement and the worry was getting anything caught in the slides.” (Yes, it was clarified that loose objects are exactly what you think they are.)
(Photo courtesy Warwick Rowers/Angus Malcolm)
Are there any hazards, though, in showing the calendar to your family? Chris said his family is “Fully supportive. My parents they like it. My sisters like it and ordered copies as well.” Oliver admitted his family has an order in for about 20 copies, too. “My family fully adores it,” he said.
And while you’d think with the bodies they show off in the calendar that they’d have to be ultra-disciplined with their diet, they all shared their favorite can’t-say-no foods. While Chris will go for the traditional English breakfast or a beef burger, Laurence loves a good pizza and Tristan worships bacon, Oliver admitted to something he cannot live without – cake. “I almost think last year I had an addiction to cake at one point,” he admitted with pride. “I was buying cake constantly much to Angus’s anguish.”
Finally, the guys are a jovial bunch but they never seem to forget the importance of the message behind the calendar. “Obviously people like the pictures,” Laurence said, “but what’s more important to a lot of people is we’re doing what we’re doing because we’re not activists or someone telling people what to do. We’re just normal students setting an example how we think people should lead their lives and act others. I think people respect that. There’s nothing righteous or pompous about it. It’s just doing the right thing and being good people.”
(Credit: Clinton Gaughran)
For the US, order by December 12th at the website to receive your calendar in time for Christmas. If you’re in Los Angeles, go here to find out more about getting tickets for Wednesday’s event with the Rowers.
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