News & Events
Cygnet Weekly Update: Monday 22nd Sept 2014
22nd September 2014
Evenin' All,
Well done to everyone that took part in Sculling Camp at the weekend - from loading, unloading, shopping, trailering, coaching, sculling, swimming, loading, and finally unloading again - great to see the clubs making the most of our beloved bungalow.
There were also outings on the Tideway, which included some of our very newest arrivals from the current Learn-To-Row course. Thanks to Sue and Ian for coordinating, and to those more experienced oarsmen who jumped into boats (including the cox's seat) to ensure new bodies could get on the water.
With Sculling Camp out of the way, winter training is now upon us. With only the weekend mornings to get our on-the-water training done (we'll do some evening outings nearer to the big head races), it's even more important that you update your availability. Please do so for at least the rest of this month and October, up to the Fours Head races on the first weekend in November. Judging by the current state of the spreadsheet, we have all of five oarsmen available to race at Fours Head, and we know more of you than that are up for it.
Also, whilst I'm on a bit of a moan, the turn-out for last week's Squad Erg wasn't completely edifying - and even fewer distances were entered on the spreadsheet. However, for those that did, it was good to see some classic erg-techniques on show, including the Shaky-Start (stop after 10mins in a fit of pique, then restart and finish); and the Shaky-Finish (Go off a bit too hard, stop with heart palpitations with 10mins to go, recover then get back on and finish). Naming no names. But in that context, always remember the truth that: Dead last always beats Did Not Finish, which always trumps Did Not Start.
This week
Tues - Squad Erg night. This week it's 30mins, r20, feet out. And post your distance on the spreadsheet.
Thurs - Circuits. First circuits of the season. 7.00pm at the club, or 7.15 at the school (late-comers risk moderate humiliation from Greg). We had 20+ from both clubs at its peak last season, and would be great to have that again. Please try and make this first session in particular if you can, as Greg will be going over the format and techniques.
Thurs - post-Circuits food. A well-established club tradition this, and organiser-Stu will be showing us how it's done on the catering front - please let him know if you're staying around for food.
Sat - morning outings. Crew lists to follow (if you've put your availability on the spreadsheet).
Sun - morning outings. Ditto
Also on Sunday morning both clubs are hosting an Open Morning, 10.30am. Primarily aimed at Civil Service graduates (but anyone is welcome), we've pushed this out through government departments, and there has been a fair bit of interest. If you're around after outings to present a welcoming face to some potential new members, please do.
Further Ahead
Sat 4th is Pairs Head - run by BBLRC, who are still after two camera tripods for the day. If you are able to help, let me/ Sarah P know - they're still after volunteers for the timing team too.
Sat 4th is also the Rhine Marathon - we've just had it confirmed that no fewer than six crews have been successfully entered from across the two clubs (two Cygnet boats, two BBLRC, and two mixed - with particular thanks to Marj for coordinating). Surely there's got to be a fair few medals out of that lot?
That's all for now.
D
Cygnet Weekly Update: Monday 15th Sept 2014
15th September 2014
Evening,
Lots of boats out over the weekend, which is always pleasing to see. Fours, Quads, a couple of new faces, and even a 4+ doing some cheeky training (cheating' for the Rhine Marathon.
All only slightly marred by the hard being so freakishly slippery that we dinged a boat, and the launch trailer collapsing onto the floor very much in the style of an exhausted Cygnet. Nothing that can't be fixed however.
Thanks to all those that contributed to the discussion at last week's Squad Meeting - and to those that posted furher feedback by email. What Coach Sue and I took from the meeting were:
- There's an encouraging level of enthusiasm, spread across our various abilities and experience.
- We've got Pairs and Doubles entered for the Pairs Head, and Scullers interested in the Scullers Head. Which we'll support.
- We'll continue to focus on enjoying rowing, and building our abilities over the Head season.
- There's also appetite to race competitively at both of the Fours Head races in early November, and the HORR races in late March. Including at Novice and Masters categories.
- Racing isn't the be-all and end-all of Head season, but the Fours and Eights races in particular are good milestones to aim for.
- The Learn-to-Row recent graduates and current crop mean we should be looking at some Novice boats, including potentially a Nov 8+.
- We may consider entering our more experienced oarsmen in Masters categories, for a change.
- That said, we will aim to have Cygnet represented at both the Fours Head and HORR proper.
- Depending on availability, we'll also look to some of the off-Tideway Heads, including Kingston, Weybridge Silver Sculls, and Henley Head.
Integral to all of the above - both enjoying rowing and being competitive - is the beautiful training plan that Coach Sue has crafted for us. All those that the meeting have a copy, and we'll make a copy available online - a lot of work has gone into it, and it will yield results. Can I remind you of the half-dozen 5k pbs set by those who were most closely following the plan last season. Not a coincidence.
Active squad members should be looking to make at least two mid-week sessions, which should be the Squad Erg, and circuit training:
- Squad Ergs will hopefully be Tuesday evenings (still to confirm shed-sharing with BBL), and doing them together is the way forward
- Circuits should start on Thursday 25th Sept (just need to confirm that the school hall's available), and you have to do circuits to earn yourself the continuing Thursday night food in the bar afterwards.
This week
Squad Erg: 40min pyramid. 4x (4min r20, 3min r22, 2min r24, 1min r26). Then put your distance on the spreadsheet.
Thurs: Boat-loading for Sculling Camp, and food in the bar. With no planned outings, and circuits not starting yet, there is still plenty of opportunity to engage. 2nd Erg of the Week (oh yes, it's on the training plan), or weights, or a run. Plus helping load the fleet onto the trailer for Sculling Camp. Followed by food in the bar cooked by Aoife (let her know if you're coming - drudyah@gmail.com)
Sat & Sun: is Sculling Camp, so there won't be fixed outings at the club. But if you can spare even half a day, popping down to the bungalow on Hamhaugh Island is heartily recommended.
(Note - there will be a working party from the Bungalow Committee down there this Thursday - if you fancied the prospect of an extra day on the river, in exchange for helping wash up crockery etc., that got flooded in the shed).
Further Ahead
Sat 4th Oct - BBLRC are looking for volunteers to help with timing at the Pairs Head - hours required from 11am to 2.30pm. Please let Zoe know if you can help (zoeguiniven@gmail.com)
Sat 11th Oct - first 5k test of the season. If you start sticking to the training plan from today, you'll be okay. Just sayin'.
I think that's all for now.D
Cygnet Weekly Update: Monday 8th Sept 2014
8th September 2014
Right,
Well, I hope you enjoyed the 'lull' between seasons. Because it's definitely over. We've got a number of important things kicking-off this week: Squad Meeting, new website, Learn-to-Row recruits around, and Coach Sue's back in the country with ergs and set outings. So do pay attention.
First up, we can proudly announce that the refreshed, revamped, redecorated Cygnet website is back on the scene!
cygnet-rc.org.uk
Everything you could possibly want to know about Cygnet is there - including joining, boating, a blog, social calendar, these updates, photos of past glories, tides, weather, flag status. Enormous thanks to Neil P who has been labouring long and hard on this - take a look now and I think you'll agree that it's been well worth it. Three quick things:
- direct your friends and colleagues to it, particularly if they've shown the faintest whiff of thinking about rowing;
- some bits of the site will be for members only - info & login details will follow;
- if you've got photos for the site, do please send them to Matt B for approval, editing (photoshopping), and uploading.
Second up, please come along to the Squad Meeting on Thursday evening, 8pm if you can. It won't be long and formal. But it will be a chance to discuss what we want to get out of the months ahead: competitively, social rowing, and off-the-water. We won't be nailing down commitment there and then, but the Captaincy and Coach Sue will find it helpful to get an idea of where people are.
That said, it would be helpful if you could have idea of whether you are looking to row in the Fours Heads (Sat 1st Nov and Sun 2nd Nov), and the Head of the River Race (Sun 29th Mar). Including availability to train (and not e.g. planning on taking a week off skiing immediately before the biggest race of the year). Please put availability on the spreadsheet if you can.
I'll also be cooking some food - which may or may not be an incentive.
T
his week
We don't have any more set outings mid-week, now that there's less light. Scullers and individual crews can still go out, but be back by sunset unless you're signed off for night-steering, and have lights.
But you can use the time to do this week's Squad Erg!: 30mins, rate-capped at 20spm, blind (i.e. no looking at splits).
- Use a peice of card and a rubber band to block out the split time, and focus on a) your technique, and b) working as hard and as consistently as you can.
- Enter your distance on the spreadsheet afterwards (I know more of you did 30mins last week than the three times on the speadsheet).
- And whilst you're on the spreadsheet, why not put in your availability for the next month or so?
Thurs - Squad Meeting in the bar, 8pm. Timed so that you can do you Squad Erg first. If you'd like some food, please give me a shout so I know how many turnips to peel.
Thurs - is also the next session for the current Learn-to-Row course. We've got a small but promising looking intake this time around, so do say hello to Jonathan, Mike, Henry, and Valeska when you're down. We may look to get them into boats on the water sooner rather than later.
Sat am - Outings for Senior and Novice squads - crew lists to follow.
Sun am - Outings for Senior and Novice squads - crew lists to follow.
Further Ahead
You'll have seen Nick B's email about Sculling Camp (Fri 19th to Sun 21st). You can help him by indicating when you'll likely be down, here: http://doodle.com/mnmpd5k42mm9nqat.
Pairs Head is Sat 4th Oct. Entries are now open (and will fill up), so speak now if you haven't already done so if you want to race.
Stu's sent out details about the Cygnet Leander Lunch, on 25th Oct.
Thanks
D
