News & Events

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Captain's Update September 2026
Author: Neil Pickford |
7th September 2026
Afternoon all,

Thanks to Mickey for arranging a great get together on Friday at The Crossing – was a thoroughly enjoyable evening and a perfect way to round off the regatta season.

Attention now turns to the Head season and all that comes with rowing in the Autumn/Winter! We will be having a season kick off meeting to go through plans for the year at 1pm this Sunday (the 6th of Sept). Ahead of this, it would be great to think about what you want to achieve this year, and we can think about what we need to achieve this – and if you have any thoughts on anything that you’d like to see different, please let me know!

Sessions Update
The Tuesday evening water session for now will be stopped due to light.
Mondays weights will be shifted to 7.30pm, to accommodate the new crop of LTR.
Please continue to sign up on Fitclub.

Boat Update
Small update I think is worth sharing, the Mike Collier has been rigged as a 4- as a trial for a few weeks/month. This is to see how we go in this as a crew – if positive, we will then re-rig the Jackson back to a 4x so we continue to have two 4Xs and a 4- available to us.

Learn to Row
Our LTR starts on the 7th of September. LTR is crucial to help grow the club, so I encourage everyone to help out and sign up to support the various sessions! A sign-up sheet has been circulated by email

Important Notice
The club is hosting the organisers of a swimming event on the 6th of Sept. As a word of caution, this would mean there will be a lot of swimmers “launching” from our hard as part of this race. This is the first year the race is being held, and so expect some disorganization, so if you’re planning on an outing, please be extra cautious and patient. Note, they wont be using our changing rooms but they will be using the shed and the bar as areas to get changed. They will have all left the club, and packed away by around 12.30.

Reminder
Just a reminder on ensuring we are closing the changing room windows when we lock up, and that all the doors are appropriately locked. Please just bring to the forefront of your mind.

Dates for the diary
- Season Kick Off Meeting - 6^th September, 1pm
- LTR first session – 7th September, at 6:30pm
- Scullers Head of The River - 19^th September
- Rhine Marathon - 3^rd October
- Pairs Head - 4^th October
- UTAH - 25^th October
- Fours Head - 21 November
- Head of the River Centenary Race - 12^th December (details to be shared closer to the time, when available).
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Captain's update, August 2026
Author: Neil Pickford |
3rd August 2026
It was certainly a good afternoon after Cygnet won their first pot of the 2026 regatta season yesterday, the 8+ at Henley T&V - congratulations to all those involved! As we draw the regatta season to a close, i wanted to share a quick update with the squad across various matters.

Update to the captaincy
There has been a small update to the captaincy (significantly less ruthless than Burnham). I will be continuing as the club captain for the next year, with Tom C continuing as vice and Charles J swapping roles from the social sec to the deputy captain. With this, I would like to thank Matt G for his support throughout the year as deputy, it has been massively appreciated and certainly doesn't go unnoticed! As Charles is stepping into the captaincy, this means Mickey will be the new social sec.

Return to training proper
As most of you know, August is a quiet period for rowing and the club, and so we will commence the 26/27 season proper from the 6^th of September - enjoy your well-earned rest and feel ready for a good Head season come Autumn. That being said, I encourage everyone to stay active during August - the shed is still available to be used and we will still have water sessions – it will just be a more "show and row" approach to sessions.
On the 6^th of September, at noon, we will have a whole squad meeting to kick off the year - please mark your diary and make every effort to attend!

LTR
We will be running a learn to row programme from the 7^th of September. When circulated, please can everyone ensure to sign up to help run the sessions! It's a great way to grow the club, and meet the new members. Additionally, if you happen to know of anyone who could be interested, please feel free to send them the details on our website.

Push to grow the club
We are currently going through a bit of a push to grow the club, where we need some support from you. Please can you:
- Share any good photos with, that show the club in a good light! Be it social or rowing
- Let me know if you have any advertising ideas
- Once we generate some posters, let me know if you are part of any forums that these can be posted in
- If you are part of a university alumni network/contacts at unis or colleges, please let me know.
Reminder to lock doors/other points
On a slight less interesting, but important - please remember:
- Lock up after yourself if you are the last person
- Close all windows when you leave
- We have a hosepipe ban currently.
Dates for the diary:
- End of Season social - tbc
- Season kick off meeting 6^th September, noon
- LTR start 7^th September
- Rhein Marathon 3^rd October
Thank you if you have made it to the bottom of this email!
It is my absolute intention to send around an update, however big or small, once a month for the next year – please hold me accountable!
Thank youJordan
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Cygnet Captaincy Update – April 2026
Author: Neil Pickford |
23rd April 2026
Evening all,

Now the Head season has come to a close, and we move into the regattas (the first being Hammersmith this weekend) I thought i would give a brief update from the captaincy.

Head season round up
Cygnet has fielded competitive 8+s in both Hammersmith Head and HORR, and a 4x in Vets Head. Hammersmith Head - 293^rd and 11^th in the division.HORR - 312th overall and 14th in the small club. Importantly though, as the crew passed the club they were overtaking the crew in front.Vets head - 6^th in the OP D 4X-
Overall it was a fitting end to the head season, showing that the hard work in the shed has paid off, and set us up well for the summer (arguably more enjoyable) regatta season.

Training update
Well done to all those who did a 2k last week, and for those that havent we will have another in a few weeks so no escape! Now the weather is improving, it has been great to see more of the squad down at the club ( "fair weather rowers" ) and look forward to this continuing throughout the summer season. Tuesday night sessions have returned, starting the 28^th April. 7pm OTW, so please arrive before this (6.45). Note additionally, these sessions will only be ran with a minimum of a 4 man boat, so please sign up on fitclub.

Scamp
Scamp will be held over the weekend of 5^th – 7^th June, to coincide with Walton and Weybridge regatta. More details on specifics to follow, but please mark the diary.

Dates for the diary
- Boat naming ceremony 23^rd May
- Scamp 5th-7th June
- Cygnet OGM 19^th July
Please continue to update on fitclub your availability for the various regattas, outlined in the below email chain.

Learn to Row
The club is looking to run a learn to row course during the summer/early autumn, but require volunteers to help run this! It is a great way to get to meet the new members, and encourage the next crop of Cygnets. Of course you will be supported by the wider Cygnet captaincy and coaching, but please let me know if you want to help out with running this process/want to know more information of what's involved.

Club admin
I have been informed there are some outstanding subs and races fees - please can you settle up with our treasurer (or via our website), before naming and shaming begins...

Thank you if you have managed to get to the bottom of this email, hugely appreciated!
As ever, please don't hesitate to speak/message me on any thoughts at all

Jordan

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