Pearson started rowing at The King's School, Canterbury in 1975, gaining a seat in their 1st VIII in 1978, a year when with Christopher Perry he also won the National Championships in the J16 double sculls, setting a course record. In 1980 he won the J18 Double Sculls National Title with Andrew Civil, and together they then competed for England, winning the same event at the Home Countries Regatta in Athlone, Ireland. He competed for Cambridge University in The Boat Race, in 1982, 1983 and 1984.[2]
Pearson was part of the coxless pairs crew, with David Riches that won the national rowing title for Molesey Boat Club, at the 1984 and 1985 National Rowing Championships.[3][4] The following year the pair participated in the 1986 Commonwealth Games, where for Scotland he won a bronze medal in the men's coxless pairs, again with David Riches.[1][5] He competed at Henley Royal Regatta from 1978 to 1991, and was a double winner of the Silver Goblets & Nickalls' Challenge Cup in 1984 and 1985, losing the final of the same event to Steve Redgrave (Sir) and Andy Holmes in 1986. He also rowed for The Canterbury Pilgrims and Crabtree Boat Clubs from 1987 to 2014.[2]
