1 September 2025

By Göran R Buckhorn

Leander continues with the club’s popular Library Rowing Book Talks where authors come to talk about their rowing books.

Next author coming up is Olympian Tim Crooks, who will talk about his recently published Driven by Demons: Bipolar Olympian.

The talk will be on Thursday, 25 September at 7 – 9:30 p.m.

Leander Librarian Irene Hewlett writes:

[Driven by Demons: Bipolar Olympian] is the remarkable story of a young man battling intense mood swings, who turns to physical risk and his exceptional talent for rowing and sculling to keep depression at bay. For years, he struggles without understanding the true nature of his condition.

His journey is at times amusing, at times desperate, but always deeply human. As he carves out a name for himself in the world of amateur rowing, his unpredictable and often outrageous behaviour unsettles his crewmates. Yet, despite the chaos, he achieves extraordinary triumphs: competing in five World Rowing Championships, two Olympic Games, and winning seven Henley Regatta titles, including the prestigious Diamond Sculls. 

But the same challenges that once saved him eventually lead to his downfall. When he reaches his lowest point, feeling as though he has lost everything, his long search for stability truly begins.

Find the booking link for the event here.

As always, the ticket includes a finger buffet at Leander Club!

The Leander Trustis a registered charity (No. 284631) to advance the education of young people and their physical education by providing facilities – including grant awards – to enable and encourage rowing and sculling; and to help by providing facilities for recreation for those who need such facilities because of their youth, social or economic circumstances. A short presentation will be held to illustrate the benefit of the Trust.