Crooks was educated at Radley College and raced in the World Youth Championships in 1967.

He won the Thames Challenge Cup at Henley Royal Regatta in 1968 competing for Leander Club, then won Silver Goblets in 1971 competing for Leander Club and partnering Glyn Locke.

[2][3] Crooks and Delafield reached the final rowing for Great Britain at the 1972 Summer Olympics at Munich and led briefly before finishing out of the medals in fifth.

He won the silver medal in the eight rowing at the 1976 Summer Olympics in Montreal, behind the East German crew.

The day of the opening ceremony for the London Olympics, 2012, he rowed in Gloriana from Hampton Court to City Hall.