News & Events
Cygnet Weekly News 7th December
7th December 2015
The weekend's rowing was rather impacted by Desmond which (who?) caused the cancellation of Scullers Head. It was certainly the right decision given the strength of the wind but it's disappointing for those who trained and psyched themselves up for it. Better conditions on Sunday allowed the 8+ to get out and by all accounts it was a good outing.
With that in mind, Plum Puddings festive rowing event should take place on the weekend of 19/20th December, probably on the 20th. For those of you who aren't familiar with it, it is a processional rowing event usually from the Pink House in Isleworth back to Chiswick Bridge (~4.5k) that resembles a Head race except it's not a race as such. It involves local clubs and about 15 or so crews with a rough handicap of setting off slowest crews first with the winner being the first back to Quintin flagpole. Mulled wine and mince pies back at the club afterwards. Depending on who is up for it, I'd like us to to put out and crew made up half and half between newer youthful rowers and more experienced guys. It's a lot of fun and gives you a taste of what racing might be like (without actually being a race). So if you are keen to be in it then please put "PP" for the 19th /20th on the spreadsheet. You know you want to.
This week:
Tuesday 7:15 Circuit with Maxi at Cavendish School - final chance to tone up before the Xmas party and trying to squeeze into your dinner suit.
Thursday 7:00pm 'Fraid it's got to be done.... 5k Test rate capped 26 spm. Let's aim to start together at 7:30 following a 10 min warm up. Weekend:
Weather prospects look better so we may even get a relatively calm weekend and good water, so get your availability up to date so I can get as many Cygnets as possible on the water. Plan is for 8am outing on Saturday and 10 am Sunday (chance to recover from BBL Xmas Party and Cygnet Waddle)
Other Important Stuff: Go take a look at the Cygnet RC Historic Archive which is now published on the club website. Immerse yourself in club history and nostalgia. And see what some senior members looked like in their prime. And for those looking for Last minute Christmas gift ideas, what every well-heeled Cygnet should be unwrapping on Christmas morning etc, essential reading blah, blah. is the Club History. Beautifully presented in Cygnet Stripes it will surely grace any bookshelf and coffee table and be the talking point amongst all your Christmas drinks guests. A mere £15 for a quality gift. Contact Paul Rawkins (prawkins@googlemail.com) to secure your festive copy whilst stocks of these collectable items last!
Much Further Ahead January to March is 8+ head racing season culminating in the Head of the River Race on the 19th March. The aim is to get at least 2/3 crews racing over that weekend. This will be the focus of the training in the new year so I'll be chasing you to know who is up for it so we can plan the campaign. Based on what I've seen we've got a great bunch from the GFAR who are getting the water time and doing the land training to be ready to put in a good performance come March. I think that's it for now, update your availability and I'll get the weekend plan out later, Have good weekk Jez PS The Waddle on Saturday is pretty much mandatory even it you are not attending the BBL Party. Cris will plan the route and timings, lookout for his update.
Cygnet Weekly Update 30th November
30th November 2015
Well the seasons certainly have turned and those Indian summer days of September and October are a rather distant memory. Wild and windy at the weekend, but it's a tough sport and we rowers man up and get on with it. The Sculling Six rowed the Scullers Head course in 40mph winds on Sunday as a dress rehearsal for Saturday when the conditions could be just as challenging. And there were another couple of outings in the 8+ for our GFAR graduates getting more rowing miles under their belts and showing real promise. No reason why we can get a mixed Senior/Novice crew on the water for the Plums Puddings and get first experience of rowing at race pace. The most likely date for it is the 20th December, if you are interested in taking part can you put "PP" on the availability spreadsheet for that day.
This week:
Tuesday 7:15pm Circuits with Maxi at Cavendish School, Edensor Road
Great turnout last week, lets see the same again tomorrow.
Thursday: 7pm Squad Erg in the Shed. For those entering Scullers Head a short but sweet. Erg: 1x7', 1x5' @ target 5k pace, 2' @ over rate/pace, drag 125. If others feel short changed by this then the alternative is 2 x 20 mins r24/26 (change after 10 mins) 5 mins rest. Claudia is cooking afterwards, stay for food and chat after the erg.
Weekend:
Saturday
It's Scullers Head at 11am with Bart (150), Guy (288), Neil (299), Jez (321), Robin (380) and Cris (383) entered. This is one mentally and physically tough event rowed in the depths of winter over the Boat Race course. We would all very much appreciate a cheer as we go past the club or anywhere else on the course.
The river will be closed from 10am for Scullers Head so any outing has to be early and so far only 4 people have signed up as available and our two regular coxes are racing SH so I think this is likely to be a land based session,
Sunday - we have more people available so will have an 8+ out (10am to avoid the flood tide), but there are lots of gaps on the December spreadsheet right now. Now we've moved on to December can you fill in your availability for the month please.
Further Ahead:
Saturday 12th December is BBL/Cygnet party time. Cris is doing a grand job as usual publicising this. If you are not coming to the party you still should come along to the Cygnet Waddle that takes place before hand which will take in a selection of Mortlake and Barnes pubs before ending up at the Bulls Head. Cris will send the itinerary nearer the time.
Sunday 20th - probable date for Plum Puds
A thought for 2016
It's been great to welcome a bunch of new recruits to the club and seeing their development and enthusiasm. It would be good to grow the squad further, so can we all look to "find a friend" to introduce to the club and give them the gift of rowing (that just keeps giving) .
Have a good week, see you Thursday/weekend
Jez
Cygnet Weekly Update 23rd November
24th November 2015
High seas on the Tideway on Saturday kept us on dry land, well done to those who made it down to do an erg as well as everyone who did Thursday's 50min erg.
The MAG 8+ was out on Sunday with our new recruits getting more rowing miles under their belts and getting used to the cold. And the Sculling Pod made it down the full course to get used to the pain they'll go through in a couple of weeks in Scullers Head and learn where the PLA have put their buoys.
This week:
Tuesday: Circuits with Maxi, 7:15 at Cavendish School Edensor Road. Let's keep the good attendance going and keep building the fitness for the Barnes Bridge Christmas Ball. Please remember to bring a towel and some water.
Thursday: 7pm Squad Erg: 4 x 5 mins at target 5k pace, maintain throughout and have 10 min warm up & down. A breeze after last week. Sign up for food with Bart after the erg ( BdG@gmx.net)
Weekend: Looks like we have good availability both days, if you're availability isn't up to date please get online and update it so I can put you in a boat at the weekend. To fit in with the tide times and give the scullers a chance to get out on quieter water the squad outings will be at 8am both days.
Further Ahead:
5th December 11am Scullers Head with 6 Cygnet and 6 BBL scullers entered. Everyone of them will greatly appreciate a cheer from the bridge or the club.
20th December (probably) Plum Pudding Race which is a great chance to give people of first taste of race like rowing with a festive flavour. Can you let me know if you'd like to row in it.
Important Notice:
Unfortunately Scott L had his car broken into last Thursday. It happens to us and other local clubs , the club is isolated and the parked cars can be easy pickings for the local oiks. Best plan is not to drive to the club, next best is to leave you car on the Barnes side and walk across the bridge, if you have no option, please make sure there is nothing on show in your car.
Have a good week, see you Thursday
Jez
