Cygnet Rowing Club

Nick started rowing at Cygnet in 2005, after passing over Barnes Bridge on his way to work decided it was time to bit the bullet and visit the club he'd seen so many times from the bridge. He was soon committed to the sport, in part because Cygnet provided the perfect balance between improving fitness, being competitive and enjoying the more social aspects of rowing on one of the nicest spots on the Tideway. Another bonus was that all the training meant that you could eat what you liked. From Novice status back in 2005, Nick went on to row in the Thames Cup at Henley in 2009 and then qualify for the Silver Goblets cometing against Australia (to whom Cygnet sadly lost) in 2011 at Henley. As captain, he is responsible for organising coaching, day to day senior squad management, crew selection and general enquiries.

Having sadly failed to secure a place at an Oxford college Matt went up to Trinity College Cambridge in October 2000 and made a spur of the moment decision to sign up to the boat club. He remembers briefly watching Sir Steve get his 5th gold earlier that summer, but claims there was no particular connection between that and his joining First & Third Trinity BC.

After his novice year he spent most of his time in the 2nd VIII, with two terms spent in the 1st Lent VIII (2002 and 2004). During this time he won a plethora of (pointless) pots and a blade without needing to spend any time on the erg, as he had 7 outings per week instead! He also managed the boathouse "Lard Cupboard" as part of the Junior Treasurer role for 2 years.

Matt finished uni in 2004, and didn't get back into rowing until Autumn 2005 when Cygnet RC was recommended to him by ex-Cygnet Simon Blackburn: an old friend from Trinity. Matt joined the novice squad and won his novice (and only) pot with Cygnet at Twickenham Regatta 2006. He has since spent his rowing time trying to relive those early glory days!

Matt joined the Cygnet RC committee in 2006, became Assistant Treasurer in 2008 and Vice Captain later that year - a role which he was gently persuaded to continue for another year in 2009. He also became Assisstant Treasurer for the Boathouse Executive Committee in 2006, and moved on to be Treasurer in 2007. 

He is far too lazy to write two profiles for the website however and the particularly eagle eyed amongst you will note that his profile for the Assistant Treasurer role below is identical to this one.

Clare took up coxing in the summer of 2010 after being persuaded by Captain Stu what a great sport rowing is. “Coxing involves bossing fit men around in a boat” said Stu. “Right up my street” Clare thought. And what lovely boys they are too! Clare’s coxing career began with training for the 2010 Fours Head, left in the very capable hands of (then) Deputy Captain Bart. There were several rather stressful outings before the race while Clare learned the trade, but the brave hearts persisted to see Clare through to complete the race in a respectable time. One full Head and regatta season down, hopefully many more to come with Cygnet.

Clare was elected vice captain in July 2011. She is responsible for the management of the novice squad, from recruiting novices and coordinating outings at weekends, to selecting novice crews for races, and organising learn to row courses.

Neil joined Cygnet in 2002 and learned to row on the Tideway. Over the years he has developed a pretty good understanding of the river especially because he had to learn to steer after winning a single scull in the TSS raffle! He took over the CWSA role in 2007 after stepping down from two years as club captain. Before that he was Bar Steward so as you can see it's been a gentle plummet down the pecking order.

Richard has been gaining huge pleasure from rowing badly for fifty-odd years… four years on the tidal Severn in the 1950s… seven years on the upper Thames in the 1960s, contemporary with Phil Beckett [who was much better] and Neil Jackson [who was much better and could steer]… and Cygnet for more than forty. Won some pots’n’points in the early 1970s.

When he joined the club in 1969 the sub had just gone up from £4 to £6, plus something like four shillings ARA levy.

Married to Diane, CSLRC, medallist in first two Nat Champs, loving mother of five and grandmother of four, and enthusiastic over-caterer. Lived in Barnes since 1973.

Hon Treasurer first in 1971, but took a break 1976-1997. Qualified as a Bronze Level Coach, too long ago to be any use to anybody now. Licensed Umpire, will be superannuated June 2013 if he lasts that long. Fullers HoR IVs officer since 2005. Pays his Brit Rowing registration by direct debit, which means that Matt Byrne [qv] uses him as a “placeholder” in race entries, for the young and carefree who find annual registration Too Difficult.

Has the odd grey hair nowadays; object of horror and scorn for another club, e.g. he wears blazers, drinks beer. Still passionate for Cygnet; just don’t start him reminiscing.

Having sadly failed to secure a place at an Oxford college Matt went up to Trinity College Cambridge in October 2000 and made a spur of the moment decision to sign up to the boat club. He remembers briefly watching Sir Steve get his 5th gold earlier that summer, but claims there was no particular connection between that and his joining First & Third Trinity BC.

After his novice year he spent most of his time in the 2nd VIII, with two terms spent in the 1st Lent VIII (2002 and 2004). During this time he won a plethora of (pointless) pots and a blade without needing to spend any time on the erg, as he had 7 outings per week instead! He also managed the boathouse "Lard Cupboard" as part of the Junior Treasurer role for 2 years.

Matt finished uni in 2004, and didn't get back into rowing until Autumn 2005 when Cygnet RC was recommended to him by ex-Cygnet Simon Blackburn: an old friend from Trinity. Matt joined the novice squad and won his novice (and only) pot with Cygnet at Twickenham Regatta 2006. He has since spent his rowing time trying to relive those early glory days!

Matt joined the Cygnet RC committee in 2006, became Assistant Treasurer in 2008 and Vice Captain later that year - a role which he was gently persuaded to continue for another year in 2009. He also became Assisstant Treasurer for the Boathouse Executive Committee in 2006, and moved on to be Treasurer in 2007.

His role as the assistant treasurer for Cygnet RC involves supporting the treasurer in all of his activities as well as managing the payment of race entries and the subsequent turning upside-down and shaking of recalcitrant members to recoup those costs.