News & Events
Cygnet Weekly Update: Monday 11th May 2015
11th May 2015
Evening All,
A very busy Saturday for some of us at Borne Regatta on Saturday, where Cygnet were represented from the very first to very last races.
- First up was a cracking row from our Novice 4+, beating Putney Town and Quintin crews, to meet Canford School in the final. Unfortunately in the final youth triumphed by a few lengths, but a very positive performance to build on as we start the season.
- Also in the morning was Guy in his 1x -, entered at Mas.C.Nov but bumped up to Nov. Losing by only a length to a Tradesman sculler who made it to the final.
- In the afternoon Cygnet and Barnes Bridge Ladies stacked the Mixed 4+ category with four pudding-themed entries to guarantee a) some pots and b) lots of fun, and were successful on both counts Coach Sue further stacked her crew selection so that her Eton Messes beat Spotted Dicks in the final. So congratulations to Sue, Matt B, Stu, Katie M (BBLRC), and Charlie (BBLRC) for their (ahem) well-deserved pots.
- Finally, a straight final in the IM3 8+ against St Paul's School, where again youth prevailed, but a good close to a day that gave a few Cygnets their first taste of regatta racing.
Worth noting that the namesakes of all three boats we raced in - the Ronnie Lambe, Neil Pickford, and Marjorie Israel - were officiating (superbly) at the regatta.
Then we all decamped to the boathouse bar where beer was drunk, pasta was consumed, and regatta-related anecdotes were recounted.
Next up for us is Twickenham Regatta on Saturday 23rd. If you want to race, this is your last call to update the availability spreadsheet. We already have enough for various boats, including doubling-up - although it will depend on what other entries the regatta gets to some extent. The BB Ladies will also be going, there's a possibility of Mixed racing again, and it's usually a good day on a lovely bit of the river out so do try and make it.
Twickenham regatta will also require trailering, but not very far. So an ideal opportunity for any of you who might be encouraged to become a Really Useful Cygnet and learn the simple arts of hitching the trailer, towing, and parking. Please let me or Sue know if you can help out on that front, so that it's not always the usual suspects.
This week
Tues - evening - coached outings (crew list sent out).
Cygnet Weekly Erg: 3x 8mins (each with 6mins r28, 2mins r30)
Thurs - evening - outings (crew list to follow).
Thurs - evening - post-outing food, courtesy of Ian & Katie, please let them know if you intend to stay.
Sat & Sun - mornings - outings (crew lists to follow)
Whilst we want racing combinations to go out on the water as much as possible, we will endeavour to get everyone out training if we can. So do keep your availability up-to-date, and bear with us.
Other stuff
Kit - Another reminder about the 125th commemorative kit available - order via the online form on the website. Also, Mike E will be coordinating a kit window with Godfrey shortly.
Further ahead - dates for summer diaries should include:
- Fri 3rd July - Henley Royal Regatta Club Day
- Fri 17th July - House of Lords Reception
- Sat 25th - Sun 26th July - St Neots Regatta
- Sat 22nd Aug - Boathouse Club Day
That's all for now.
D
Cygnet Weekly Update: Tuesday 5th May
5th May 2015
Evening All,
This week's is slightly later and shorter than usual, for which I offer no excuse except the bank holiday yesterday.
A bank holiday Monday, incidentally, that saw Cygnet crews training on the water. And very encouraging to see so many at the club tonight and that a) all crews wisely stayed off the water on account of the conditions, and b) everyone decamped to the shed to do an erg instead.
All good prep for Borne Regatta this Saturday, where all but one of our crews have got races over the whole day:
Nov 4+ heat at 0830, final at 1040
Guy's Nov 1x heat at 1025, semi at 1230, final at 1335
Guy's Mas.C 1x straight final at 1600
And then all hell breaks loose:
Our four Cyg/BBL Mixed 4+s make up the entire field (first pots of the season!). Semi finals at 1554 and 1630, final at 1724.
And finally, the IM3 8+ is in a straight final at 1748.
By which time, we'll all be in need of a beer. At lest two of which will be served in pewter.
This week's focus is on racing crews getting on the water (conditions permitting). Crews lists being sorted separately.
Don't forget Cris is cooking after training on Thursday evening, let him know if you want some grub.
Looking further ahead, or next priority regatta is Twickenham Regatta on Sat 23rd. That's the bank holiday weekend (and the Queen's birthday Privilege Day for the Civil Servants amongst us). Please update the spreadsheet with availability for the rest of the month.
Other stuff
Kit
A reminder about the 125th commemorative kit at the smarter end of the scale (Blazers, ties, cuff links etc.) Details on the website along with links to the online order form (Doodle poll). Bagsy early to avoid disappointment.
In terms of kit more suitable for being in a boat, be assured that there will also be a kit ordering window opening soon.
Not a sub-heading that appears too often... Put Friday 17th July in your diaries for a reception in the House of Lords as part of Cygnet's 125th birthday celebrations. An evening reception (although earlier for those who may want a tour of Parliament), hosted by Lord Moynihan, and will involve varying quantities of canapes, wine, speeches, Cygnet blazers etc. More details here. All welcome.
And finally, a message from the Slys:
GRATEFUL THANKS
Pat, Prudence and Oscar Sly would like to thank all the very many friends who were in touch following Peter's death on 9 March. We received over 200 cards, letters and emails as well as phone calls - many containing personal recollections starting from those early days in the 1960s and 70s when Peter and I were so very involved in the two clubs as well as more recent times, especially Henley Fridays. Thank you also to all those who were able to actually get inside St Nicholas Church, Remenham,for Peter's funeral and to those who listenedto the service from outside over the loudspeakers. We are sorry not to have been able to speak to everyone on the day - and we understand that there were over 300 people at the church! - but your presence to celebrate Peter's life and to say "Goodbye" to him was so very much appreciated.
Henley Friday at Old Blades will continue to be available to the members and friends of both Cygnet and Barnes Bridge Ladies, the 2015 date being 3 July. We look forward to seeing some of you then. The Sly Family x
D
Cygnet Weekly Update: Monday 27th Apr 2015
27th April 2015
Evening All,
Good to see various boats out over the weekend, even if it didn't feel particularly summery and was rather choppy. But all good on-the-water time now that Regatta season is upon us. (And under-the-water time for those that chose to do an impromptu capsize drill...)
As discussed at the Squad Meeting last week, we will be looking to enter several boats at Borne Regatta on Saturday 9th May. So far we have about a dozen Cygnets down as available to race, which is encouraging at what will be our first regatta of many this season. Entries close at the weekend, so if you haven't updated the spreadsheet, do so asap. And not forgetting to include availability through the week, so that we can get crew combinations out training.
At Borne we're also looking to enter some Mixed 4+s with Barnes Bridge. These will be largely scratch crews, and should be fun, so we're assuming everyone that is available to race is also up for doubling-up on the day.
We will have a couple of potential new members around the club over the next couple of weeks. It doesn't look like we've got the numbers for a formal Learn-to-Row course, so if you see a new face on the ergs, do introduce yourself, and perhaps share some of your rowing wisdom.
This week
Cygnet Erg of the Week: 3x 8mins (1st r24, 2nd r26, 3rd r28)
(Now that British 'Summer' Time is upon us, we don't have a set Squad Erg Night - although Tuesdays are still our priority night in the shed. But you should endeavour to fit in at least this erg at some point in the week)
Tues evening 7pm - coached outings. If you're not in a boat, Erg of the Week in the shed.
Wed morning 7am - sculling pod (with BBLRC). Note that this is an informal and uncoached session, so for those who can already scull.
Wed evening - 7.30pm Cygnet Committee
Thurs evening 7pm - outings.
Thurs evening - post-outing food if a volunteer can be found to cook. Last week was an enjoyable St George's Day pint in the pub, next week Social Sec Cris is cooking, so if anyone can fill the gap this week, let him know.
Sat & Sun mornings - outings.
Other stuff
There is some spiffing kit and 'merchandise' being released to mark our 125th anniversary this year. Neil's been designing/ coordinating, and the details are already on the website along with links to the online order form (Doodle poll) and a pdf of a paper order form for those who prefer the old ways. There are also a couple of copies up in the changing room.
Finally, if anyone has seen any Royal Chester RC kit around, let me know - was left after the Vets Head.That's all for now.
D
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