Emma Watson Swaps Wizards for Rowing at Oxford
Emma Watson isn’t spending her days on movie sets anymore. Now you’d be more likely to see her navigating the choppy waters of the Thames as the coxswain for the Oxford New College women's third rowing team. Yes, that’s the real-life Hermione, not just reading ancient spells but steering a full crew through one of Oxford’s most storied sporting events, the Summer Eights.
At 35, Watson has taken on much more than a new extracurricular. Since 2023, she’s been building her academic chops back at her alma mater, Oxford University, diving into a master’s in creative writing and even taking on a DPhil—a feat most wouldn’t attempt alongside regular rowing practice. Swapping scripts for academic journals and coxing notes, Watson’s new direction is all about challenge and change.
This year’s Summer Eights regatta featured four races for Watson’s team. The stats? One win, three losses, but plenty of buzz. During one race, a rival crew sent out the unmistakable Harry Potter theme over the river as they passed—more cheeky banter than sporting intimidation. Watson, unfazed, stayed focused on her crew, her leadership and booming calls at the helm earning respect from both teammates and competitors. It’s no small task: a coxswain is the team's tactical brain, responsible for motivating rowers, keeping the boat safe, and calling crucial steering decisions in split seconds.
A New Chapter Beyond the Silver Screen
Watson’s move isn’t just about swapping red carpets for riverbanks. She’s made it clear in recent interviews that this period of her life, which she calls her "Saturn return," is all about self-reflection. After years of fame and a hectic acting schedule, she wanted time to pivot, learn, and experience new types of accomplishment.
Her presence on Oxford’s team isn’t just celebrity headline fodder; students and sports fans say she’s shown genuine commitment to both the grind of morning practices and the nerves that go with university competitions. Many on campus see her daily—head down, sleeves rolled up, leading just like any other cox aiming to shave seconds off split times.
Watson hasn’t entirely turned her back on the public eye either. Recently, she made a rare yet dazzling appearance at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival—her first since 2013. This carefully balanced approach seems to be her new normal: testing herself in the classroom, on the water, and, occasionally, under the spotlights.
Her story resonates with anyone itching for reinvention. Whether she’s at the bow of a rowing shell or giving a keynote on creative writing, Watson’s Oxford years are shaping up as a bold reinvention—one where she’s still making headlines, but entirely on her own terms.
- Jul, 17 2025
- Cassius Montgomery
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