News & Events
Cygnet Weekly Update: Monday 1st June 2015
6th June 2015
Righto,
Apologies for the radio silence last week, consequently quite a lot to get through this week...
First up, you may not have realised that there was some Cygnet racing at the weekend. Bart & Gav manfully lugged their IM1 2- up to Peterborough on the roof of the Ute. Unfortunately, their efforts weren't rewarded with a win - a long way to go to lose out by only 5 seconds, but they'll be all the faster for it in their next race.
Closer to home we had boats out training over the weekend, on some lovely water (if a bit on the low side - Black Flag was out for a bit).
Looking ahead to upcoming regattas, we've got:
- Barnes & Mortlake on Sat 13th. We're finalising crews to enter for this one, including doubling-up options, so now's your last chance to confirm your availability on the spreadsheet.
- Reading on Sat 13th and Sun 14th. It looks like we might have a pair heading to Reading instead of BMI, so if you're interested in some 2-abreast racing upriver, let us know.
- Marlow (Dorney Lake) on Sat 20th June. Again, and as mentioned previously, we've got at least one pair entered.
- Richmond on Sat 27th. One we'd like to hit 'en masse' particularly since we didn't get to race that stretch when Twickenham was cancelled.
Further ahead we've also got Henley Masters (Fri 10th and Sat 11th July), where our entries of two Mas.B 4+s and a Mas.B 2- got in just before the deadline and have been accepted.
And of course St Neots (Sat 25th and Sun 26th July, where we'd like to get as many Cygnets (and Barnes Bridge Ladies) racing as possible.
So this means my now weekly plea for all active oarsmen to update the spreadsheet until the end of July. We can't race you if we don't know whether you're available to race (and train).
This week
Tues evening - outings, crew lists to follow (apologies from Coach Sue for her lack of coaching recently, as she balances it with coxing BBL for Women's Henley).
This week's erg: 4 x 750m / 1 min light pressure between each. Then 6 minutes break and repeat.
Thurs evening - outings, crew lists to follow.
Thurs evening - post-outing food, this week courtesy of Nick Rae - please let him know if you're sticking around.
Sat morning - outings.
Sat morning - post-outing crash-course (excuse the pun) on boat-fixing - see below.
Sun morning - outings.
Sun lunch - 12 pm Sun Inn lunch, please let Vicky or Michelle (BBLRC) know (vickibowes[at]gmail.com/ mweiss[at]hotmail.co.uk /social[at]bblrc.co.uk )
Other Stuff
Boat-fixing - you may know that a) we rely on Neil's goodwill and boat-knowledge to a disgraceful extent, and b) he's buggering off to live in Kent shortly. In light of that, we thought it would be useful to have a session where he shows anybody who might interested about repairing boats. Conveniently, a couple of us have put a couple of dings in boats recently. So please try and stay for no more than an hour after outings on Saturday. Please let me know if you're intending to come.
Since we're on the subject of lending a hand, it's less than two months until the captaincy re-election. So now is a good time to think about it, and if you're at all interested having a word with me, Nick B (Deputy), or Ian M (Vice (Captain)). All of whom would be happy to talk you through what's involved, and reassure you that none of the roles are as bad as we perhaps occasionally make out.
Also on the subject, there is a Cygnets Bungalow working party starting on Monday 15th, for anyone that can. Please let me or Derek Bush know if you can help out, including if you would like to stay overnight at all. There will be many jobs to do so the more that come, the merrier!
125th
You've missed the boat if you didn't order cufflinks or tshirts. However, orders for blazers and ties remain open, why not do it now via the on-line order form only.
But in terms of rare opportunities, the House of Lords reception on Friday 17th July takes some beating. There will be plenty of attendees from Cygnet, Barnes Bridge Ladies, and Benrath, and you'd be a fool to miss out. Friends and family are also welcome to join us as well as any ex-members who you know of that might not be on the email circulation lists. It would be great if you could make the organisers' lives a lot easier by going on the website and indicating that you'll be coming along. All the details are there, as is a booking form and a contact for Paul Rawkins if you have any questions or prefer to do things the old fashioned way. There is a maximum number for tickets, so don't delay.
I think that's all for now.
D
Cygnet Weekly Update: Monday 18th May 2015
18th May 2015
Evening All,First up is the disappointing news that Saturday's Twickenham Regatta has been cancelled - apparently due to too few entries. A real shame, as we had four crews keen to race (and who would have utterly dominated, obviously), and it's been a regular for us in recent years.However, the time spent practicing for this weekend certainly won't be wasted, and good to see boats out in the week and over the weekend. And particularly good to see so many 'taking advantage' of the foul weather on Thursday evening to enjoy the Squad Erg, and then staying on to enjoy the Mountains' fine catering.
With Twickenham out of our diaries, attention turns to other regattas coming up later this month and next, including:
- Peterborough Spring, Sat 30th and/or Sun 31st May. It looks like we've got at least one Pair looking to race on the Saturday, and if there's enough wider interest and availability we can make it a trailer-load. Let me and Sue know if you're interested - including by filling in the spreadsheet.
- Barnes & Mortlake, Sat 13th June. Our next 'priority regatta' that we'd like as many of our active squad as possible to be available to double-up into different crew combinations. Please put it in your diaries, and make sure you have updated the spreadsheet until at least this weekend.
- Marlow (Dorney Lake), Sat 20th June. Again, it looks like we've got at least one Pair wanting to race, so if you're up for the experience of racing down the Olympic venue (twice, one in a head-style time trial, and then in the A,B, or C final), please let me and Sue know.
This week
Tues - evening - coached outings (crew already sent out).
Cygnet Weekly Erg: 2x 15mins (5mins r19, r26, r19), 1x 10min (2mins r19, r28, etc.).
Thems of us that are doing these regularly are definitely feeling the improvement. Good to see so many of last week's ergs being completed. According to the spreadsheet we had just enough to make up an 8 - but I know there were more than that, so do remember to record your time.
Thurs - evening - no set outings. Either organise your own crew, or enjoy the Squad Erg, above.
Thurs - evening - post-outing food, courtesy of Sue E, as per Cris's email please let her know if you intend to stay.
Sat morning outings - if you cleared your hectic social weekend diary for Twickenham Regatta, don't fill it just yet. We are looking at plans to have a slightly longer coached water session, perhaps alongside another tideway club who were expecting to race that day. Watch this space.
Saturday evening - is Eurovision, in the bar, from 7pm until late. Please contact Cris, our very own polyglot Social Secretary, who emailed about this, and on the night will be able to tell you what they're all singing about. Probably.
Sun morning outings (crew lists to follow)
Other stuff
Kit - as promised, and with thanks to Mike E, a kit ordering window has been opened for us on the Godfrey site. Key details are:
Kit page: http://godfrey.co.uk/club/cygnetrc
Collation information: http://godfrey.co.uk/collation-information
Sizing guide:http://godfrey.co.uk/sizing-guide (although based on the recent experiences of a couple of us, you may want to go for a size smaller than you first though - unless I've shrunk, or unless hoodies are being worn particularly 'room-to-grow-into' this season)
Closing date: 31st May
Details are as per usual for orders - No money is taken until after the cut-off date has passed. When they have had a chance to collate the orders, they apply the discounts and then payments are taken. Worst case scenario will be the 2-11 price level, even if someone is the only person to order a particular item, if it is ordered within the club ordering window.
And since we're on kit, another reminder about the 125th commemorative kit available - order via the online form on the website. So far only Cristobal has been man enough to order the full Cygnet Monty (blazer + tie + cufflinks + tshirt).
That's all for now - and I'm afraid you'll go without an update next week, as I'll be down in the West Country for half-term week. I'm sure you'll manage.
D
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
