News & Events
Cygnet Weekly Update: Monday 23rd Feb 2015
24th February 2015
Evening,
Busy again at the boathouse over the weekend. Various outings, a learn-to-cox session that it was gratifying to see a couple of Cygnets at, and all culminating in the climax that is the Cygnet AGM on Sunday lunchtime.
Thanks to those that put themselves forward for various roles on the committee - everyone was duly elected in, and the bar bell was rung by our (alas, outgoing) Treasurer. There is still one committee place up for grabs, plus the Boathouse Exec will be convening shortly and looking for people from both clubs to take on roles, so do please consider it if you haven't already.
After the sunshine of the AGM, it seemed to rain hard for a long time, with the result that... the Tideway is currently Yellow Flagged. So exercise even more caution than usual, no inexperienced crews out on the ebb tide, no night outings without agreement of the captaincy.
This coming weekend sees two important events:
- Saturday we have a capsize drill. 4pm, St Paul's School. The response hasn't been overwhelming, and it really should be - it is immeasurably preferable that your first/ only capsize experience is in a safe environment. And it's a condition of your membership. And it'll be fun. And there's bound to be some sort of socialising afterwards.
- Sunday sees the Hammersmith Head . We've got our Mas.B and Nov crews racing, both using this as our last stepping stone to the HORR weekend at the end of March. And whilst we're on the subject, note that crews are not finalised for the HORR races weekend, so keep focusing on training and availability. That includes this week's 5k test - I've confirmed with Sue that it is very unlikely that any seats will be decided on 5k results alone - but it is rather more likely that if you don't do the test at all, you won't be in any seat!
This week
Tues - Squad Erg Night - 5k test for all, rate-capped at 28.
If you've already completed it, then second erg of this week is: 40min r20, feet out.
Also on Tues we have a planned outing of the Mas.B crew.
Thurs - circuits - 7.15 at the school.
Also on Thurs, post-training food. Anna C is cooking this week, please let her know if you'd like to stay.
Sat morning outings - crew lists to follow.
Saturday afternoon - capsize drill, 4pm, St Pauls School. Please let Neil P know that you'll be there.
Sun morning outings are likely to be affected by those racing in Hammersmith Head.
Hammersmith Head
Race starts at 12.30pm, so if you're not racing, do come along and cheer on our boats.
- Our Mas.B crew are #175
- Our Novices are #192
- BBLRC are also racing at #151 and #210
After the race many of us will decant to the bar to recount our efforts over a beer. And also to conduct the latest 300 Club draws. For those of our newer members who don't know about the 300 Club and its essential role in maintaining our fine fleet, come down and Guy or Nick B can fill you in. All your future/ nostalgic Cygnet racing exploits will have been in boats part paid for by the 300 Club.
Finally, another reminder that our Learn To Row course starts on Sun 29th March, to coincide with the Head of the River Race. I.e. just over 4 weeks away (i.e. we've only got 4 weeks until the HORR!).
D
Cygnet Weekly Update: Monday 16th Feb 2015
16th February 2015
Good Evening,
A week that involved boozy social celebrations, rowing training and racing - which is appropriate for our 125th birthday.
A strong turnout on Thursday night in the Duke's Head (no availability issues there!) - including some nostalgic faces. Many, many toasts made to the club, and a fun time had by all.
On Saturday, we headed to Henley 4s & 8s Head. We had three crews racing over two divisions, in what was an enjoyable, well-organised, and muddy event. Results:
- in the mixed 4xs, our Love Boat #1 (Mountain Gibbons) came in 3rd out of 5.
- Love Boat #2 (Captains' Invitational) came in 4th, some 25 seconds later. (Thus proving that pre-race training outings are a waste of time...)
- In the afternoon, our IM2 8+ - drawn from across the Seniors and Novices - came 33rd, and got more valuable race experience.
All in all, a nice spot for a friendly head race. Thanks in particular to Sue for trailering and coxing, and Matt for supporting and photographing - both of whom also hung around for unloading the trailer back at the club. Unfortunately we didn't have enough bodies back at the boathouse to re-rig... see below.
This week
Tues - Squad Erg Night (for those not outing). 50min "staircases" (5x 4min r20, 3min r22, 2min r24, 1min r26)
For all those down to either erg or go out on the water, please lend a hand for 15mins at 7.00pm to help re-rig the 8+.
Wed am - a regular weekday morning outing for those who are keen is establishing itself. This is informal and self-organising, in singles and small boats, but if you are interested let me know.
Thurs - circuits: meet at 7.00 at the club or 7.15 at the school. There are now just half a dozen sessions between now and the HORR weekend, and if you get to all of them it will make all the difference.
Thurs - after circuits, Jo Broadhurst is cooking, please let her know if you're staying on.
Sat & Sun - morning outings, crew lists to follow.
Further Ahead
Learn to cox (please). The Ladies are holding a coxing course this Sunday, 22nd Feb, 9.30am, and it would be great to have as many Cygnets as possible able to take a turn in the coxes seat. As you know, we sometimes struggle to get outings due to lack of coxes - and as you probably also know, you are never too heavy to sit in the cox's seat at Cygnet! The course will be a useful introduction/ refresher on water safety, navigating the tideway, and how to steer boats.
Capsize drill - planned for Sat 28th Feb, 4pm, St Paul's School. I don't need to emphasise the importance of this for everyone. It's only a couple of hours on a Saturday afternoon that may one day make all the difference. Plus we'll try and co-ordinate some sort of food afterwards. tbc.
Hammersmith Head - Sun 1st March. Our last stepping stone to the HORR weekend - if you want to be considered for a crew for HORR please do everything you can to be available for this one. And of course update your availability and see you at ergs and circuits...
Women's Head of the River Race - Sat 14th March - you'll have seen Nick B's call for boating volunteers, do please spare an hour or so if you can.
Vets Head of the River Race - Sat 28th March
Head of the River Race - Sun 29th March
Crews are by no means decided for these races. We will also consider wider options to get as many of us a race as possible, e.g. in a composite crew.so keep making yourself as available as you can.
That's all for now.
D
Cygnet Weekly Update: Monday 9th Feb 2015
9th February 2015
Good Evening,
First up, to mention tragic business of Mike Hill, the Thames & Latymer coach who has been missing since last week. Our thoughts remain with his family and those that row with him. I will forward on any update as and when I get it, and it's not particularly helpful to speculate until we know more - in the meantime we will continue to focus on the safety of everyone on the Tideway.
The rest of the update is reasonably short this week, you'll be happy to hear.
I'm pleased to say that we've got an Eight and two Quads racing this Saturday at Henley 4s & 8s Head. The Eight has even had some training (including counting Quintin Head), plus an outing on Tuesday night. The two Quads, on the other hand, are in the 'Valentine's Special' mixed event alongside Barnes Bridge Ladies, and the row down to the start may be their only practice. BBL also have two Eights racing, so it's a satisfyingly full trailer heading down.
If you happen to be in Henley (e.g. for a romantic weekend break), the Quads are in the lunchtime division at 12noon, crews #50 and #53. The Eight is in the afternoon division at 2.30pm, #116. BBLRC are #162 and #167. Will let you know how we all get on.
If you happen to be racing, please can to check out the race fees page on the availability spreadsheet, and make sure you're in the black.Top ups to Sort Code 07-01-16, Account 15401264.
This week
- Tues evening, Squad Erg Night. 2x 20mins, rating 24/26, changing every 5mins. (Racing 8 will be having an outing instead)
- grateful if people could stick around for 20mins afterwards to help with derigging and trailer-loading.
- Thurs evening, Circuits. 6.15pm in the Shed. NOTE THE CHANGE OF TIME AND LOCATION. This is a special arrangement to allow for...
- Thurs evening, Cygnet's 125th Birthday drinks, Duke's Head, Putney. You'll have seen Stu's reminder about this - there will be Cygnets at the bar from 7pm until late.
- Sat morning - no coached outings, owing to Henley Head race.
- Sun morning - crew lists to follow.
Further ahead
Launch drivers for Head races - any volunteers to drive the launch at the Women's Head (14th March)?Finally, our Spring Learn-to-Row course will kick off with an introductory session on Sunday 29th March. Tell everyone you know. You may have spotted that this is also Head of the River Race day, but there is method in this. There will be lots of activity around the boathouse, and lots of Cygnet Seniors, full of their exploits from the Vets Head the day before, to share their wisdom. We will show the newbies the facilities, perhaps a first session on the ergs, then retire to the hard to watch the racing and partake of the BBLRC catering facilities. So if you know of anyone who might be interested in giving rowing at Cygnet a try, do let them know - you can't forget the date.
Thanks.
D
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