Rower 4: Billy Gammon
Age: 35
Education: King’s School, Bruton (1987-1992); Durham University (1993-1996)
Nickname: Weeman
Key strengths: Ability to talk nonsense for prolonged periods
Interests: Sport
Key influences: Jerry Fielder, Peter Thomson, mum & dad, John Daly (on a sober day)
Most likely to…keep talking.
Born in Truro (Cornwall), England Chris 'Billy' Gammon grew up on the fairways of Trevose Golf & Country Club, the family business which his brother Nick runs today. Unfortunately for Chris he was a rather odd shape as a youngster and so it was he became known as 'Billy', named after that childhood hunk of a man Billy Bunter.
Like the rest of the crew sport played a key part in his school education but unlike Tom and Matt he managed to get through the book work and made his way up to Durham University to study Sociology & Anthropology - to this day we are all still a little mystified as to why, but he did at least get to spend a 2 month sabbatical staying with the Maasai tribe in the Maasai Mara...and if truth be known he's never been the same since.
Billy graduated from Durham and headed for London where he threw himself in to the dark world of advertising. This was to prove a particularly colourful part of his life and culminated in him joining forces with ex boss (and mentor) Peter Thompson as one of the founding members of M2M media agency. After 8 years of adland and having sampled every Michelin Star restaurant in town, as well as having blagged his way on to every media jolly/major sporting event around the world Billy decided the time was right for a change. So it was in 2003 he headed off for a new start, a new liver and a new waistline in New Zealand. He had long had a soft spot for NZ having toured there with the school rugby team back in 1991, but this time the boots were to stay where they belonged...in the locker.
He moved to NZ in 2004 and is now living the kiwi dream (?) by the beach in Takapuna on the North Shore of Auckland. Following a 2 1/2 year stint at SKYCITY looking after the V.I.P marketing he took up the role of Sponsorship Director for Auckland Racing Club (Ellerslie) which he combines with his role as international quiz man (umm and occasional bingo caller).
Whilst not being the biggest crew member Billy is quick to remind us that good things come in small packages. He sees himself as being a bit of a pocket rocket and his crew name is almost certainly a clue as to the role he will play on the boat, although where many coxes are all puff and no action this cox is sure to pull more than his weight (which if truth be known is hardly substantial and definitely needs some attention). The major challenge for him is likely to be getting used to life without chicken and chocolate 3 times a day and finding someone willing to listen to his never ending chat.
As for the challenge itself the key motivations for Billy lie in the opportunity to push and explore his individual limitations for a cause that has personal significance. Like the rest of the crew his CV is bereft of rowing accolades but far from proving to be a hinderance he sees this as a key motivation to complete what will be the challenge of a lifetime.
