News & Events
Cygnet Weekly Update: 4th August 2014
5th August 2014
Right,
This weekend was Henley Town & Visitors Regatta, a beautiful stretch of water, with a great atmosphere, and crucially less than half the race distance of Henley Royal.
The sunshine was broken by a couple of cataclysmic downpours, one of which whilst the BBLRC 8+ was racing - who got off the water almost as wet at Gav & Bart (who earlier had found pushing off in a 2- so strenuous that they decided to take a dip in the Thames to cool off).
As well as under the water, it was also however a frustrating day on the water, with our three crews producing strong rows that weren't quite enough. First up was the IM3 4+, who were in a tussle with Putney Town in a three-boat heat, a really encouraging row responding well to cox Sue's calls throughout meant that we didn't let Putney get away, and overlapped with them down the course. Next up was the IM1 2-, who had a great start against a tidy-looking Upper Thames boat, but couldn't quite stay with them for the second half. Finally, the Sen 4- had a straight final against Nonesuch (alumni of Bristol Uni - very recent alumni by the look of them), threw everything at it, and were bitterly disappointed to lose by only a canvas.
This week
Tues outings at 7pm, coached by Nick Rowett. Sue's sent out crew lists.
Erg of the Week: 3 x 2k with 90 seconds light pressure between each one. There is no rate cap to the pieces however I am keen for the split to be consistent as possible so ideally don't go above r30
2nd Erg: 6 x 1k with 2 minutes light pressure rowing between each piece. This is the same distance as the one above but should be at a higher intensity due to the shorter distance and longer breaks.
3rd Erg (Base fitness) 10k with rate change every 2k (22-26-22-26-22)
Thurs outings at 7pm. Sue's sent out crew lists.
Sue will also be coaching an erg session, so please let her know if you'll be coming along.
There's also a post-session-session in the bar, I know there's a volunteer cook, but don't know who it is - details to follow no doubt.
Sat & Sun, 8am outings. Crew lists to follow.
Oxford City Regatta
is on 16th/17th. This will be our last regatta of the season, and a couple of crews have expressed an interest (a Nov 4+ and a 4x of some description). The BB Ladies are unlikely to be going, and with only two boats going we may try and cadge a lift with a neighbouring club. Entries close on Wednesday, so speak now if you want to race, or miss out.
Further Ahead
You'll have seen Stu's hectic social calendar email - put them all in your actual calendars now, you'd be crazy to miss out.
Our next Learn to Row course is in the planning stages. Please chip in as an when you can in terms of sitting in/ sitting boats, and generally welcoming newbies to the club.
Finally, I thought I'd mention the Pairs Head (Sat 4th Oct): this may seem a bit previous, but now is the perfect time to be thinking about it , as regatta season winds down and you've got two full months to prepare. If you've never raced it, it's recommended: mercifully short (Chiswick Br to Hammersmith Br), only one other person in the boat to get on your nerves, and it's run by Barnes Bridge Ladies. Most categories (except Novice), including Masters, and Mixed. it would be great to get as many boats as possible racing. This year some of our usual suspects will be away on the Rhine, so there will be more boats available. So please have a think about whether you and A.N.Other fancy it, and let me or Sue know. (If you fancy it, and want to be match-made, also let us know).
That is all.
D
Cygnet Weekly Update: Mon 28th July 2014
4th August 2014
Right,
First things first, I'm pleased to say that both clubs hit St Neots Regatta hard this weekend, and a cracking time was had by all. It's been a couple of years since we've trekked up the A1 for that particular slightly chaotic mini-festival of rowing , but it was well worth it, with over 20 oarspeople from both clubs enjoying themselves in the sun.
Alas no pewter for Cygnet, but highlights included:
- a brilliant and hard-fought win for the BBL IM3 8+, screamed on for every stroke by campmates on the bank;
- Rowett's sleeping arrangements of a double airbed, sheets, duvet, pillow, under the gazebo - essentially an al fresco four-poster bed;
- the Mixed IM3 4x winning through a round, and seeing off London RC;
- Coach Sue & Coyle's reaction to Fleetwood Mac's The Chain in the marquee - those who saw it will never forget;
- Disco Stu having a bit of a disco-huff when he finally realised that the disco tent didn't have a disco, and was actually more of a cover-band-tent.
Lowlights were few, limited only to:
- your Captain's 'steering' of the Nov 2x: on approaching the notorious St Neots bend he called harder on the wrong side, with predictable results;
- our collective chagrin when it emerged that Cygnet weren't included on the St Neots Regatta 2014 t-shirt; and
- boating and de-boating almost completely melting down on Sunday afternoon after several hours of a race every 2 minutes (a situation that was in dire need of a Marj and a loud-hailer).
Thanks to all involved, great to see everyone sticking around to the end to cheer on crews and ensure the trailer was fully loaded. Thanks in particular to Neil for uteage.
In other news, you may have spotted your 'new' captaincy was elected last Tuesday. Ian and I are staying on for another year, joined by Nick Bates as Deputy Captain. Which means that Matt Byrne has stepped down after several years as Deputy Captain. Most of the things that run smoothly around the club, finances, race entries, sculling camp, have been down to Matt's prodigious efforts. An absolute stalwart, whose efforts are key to the club being what it is (this gives him more time to focus on his continuing role as Cygnet treasurer - so why not take this opportinuty to check your race fees are up to date).
This week
Tues outings at 7pm, coached by Nick Rowett. Sue's sent out crew lists.
Also on Tues can you check whether any more boats/ kit need unloading from the trailer after St Neots
Erg of the Week: 3 x 10minutes r 22/24/26/28 as 4min/3/2/1
2nd Erg: 2 x 25 min r20 within each 25 minute piece you should do 4 x 1 min bursts at rate 24/26/28/30.
3rd Erg (base fitness): 40 min Rate 20 - feet out
Thurs outings at 7pm, coached by Nick Rowett. Sue's sent out crew lists.
Sue will also be coaching an erg session, so please let her know if you'll be coming along.
There should also be a post-session-session in the bar, Stu will no doubt let us know who's cooking
Also on Thurs, boat-loading for Henley Town & Visitors, below.
Sat & Sun, 8am outings for those not racing. Crew lists to follow.
Henley Town & Visitors Regatta
is on Saturday, and we've got three crews racing:
- an IM3 4+, in amongst a big field. Heat at 10:28 vs Reading and winner of Putney/ Henley. Final at 11:36
- Bart & Gav's IM1 2-, who have a straight final at 12:16 vs Twickenham and Upper Thames,
- and a Sen 4-, who have straight final at 17:32 vs Nonesuch.
The BB Ladies are also taking an 4+ (08:44, Semi-final at 10:08, Final at 10:48), IM3 1x (09:48, Final at 11:24), IM3 8+ (14:04, Repecharge(!) at 17:10, Final at 18:52), and a Mas.BC 4x (straight final at 18:00.
So a long day with plenty to cheer on in pleasant surroundings - and don't forget there are plans to have a bit of a social back at the boathouse afterwards.
Further Ahead
Oxford City Regatta is on 16th August. If there's sufficient interest we'll send a Nov 4+ and a Mas. 4x - please let Nick Bates know if there are other boats that want to go. Our attendence may depend on whether the Ladies are going, as we don't currently have a ute driver available (requirements: their own fully comp car insurance, and a driving test passed before 1st Jan 1997).
And finally
I've been asked to send round the link to the CSSC regional survey -http://www.cssc.co.uk/RegionalSites/LondonSite/LondonNews/Londonregionalsurvey2014.aspx
- apparently everyone who completes the survey will be automatically entered into a prize draw to win an iPad Mini.
'Night All.
D
Cygnet Weekly Update: Mon 21st July 2014
21st July 2014
Right,
A busy week this one, as we undergo final preparations for the festival of fun that is St Neots regatta this weekend. It all kicks off with Jez in his single at 1pm on Saturday, the first of 12 (twelve) categories that the two clubs are racing in, hopefully culminating in a Mixed 8+ winning their final on Sunday evening. The draw and timetable are up on the St Neots website.
But there's some housekeeping to go through before all that. Not least because all those boats don't magic themselves up to St Neots - so grateful for as many hand as possible on Thursday after outings and before dinner, to load up the trailer.
Before that, on Tuesday 8pm, is the Cygnet Ordinary General Meeting (OGM). All are invited, and the principal aims are to a) vote in your captaincy for 2014-15, and b) have a drink with clubmates. See you all there.
So this week looks like:
Tuesday - 7.00pm outings. St Neots crews are to sort out amongst themselves.
After outings, it may be that we decide to derig the 8+, so please bring your rigger-jiggers and chip in.
Tuesday - 8.00pm. Cygnet OGM. Be there.
Thursday - 7.00pm outings. Please keep them short, because afterwards we'll be loading the boats onto the trailer.
After outings and loading, it's the post-session-session in the bar - please let sarahthompson70[at]gmail[dot]com if you're staing for food.
Saturday - the ute and trailer will be heading off to St Neots on Saturday morning. Currently three spare seats, please let me or Neil know if you want to bagsy one of them.
Saturday & Sunday - 8am/ 10am outings for those not racing. Crew lists to follow.
Further ahead
We've currently got a 2-, a Sen 4-, and an IM3 4+ entered for Henley Town & Visitors Regatta on Sat 2nd Aug. Entries close this Saturday, so shout if you want to race and have let us know.
That may be our last regatta of the season, but if there's enough interest, we'll also head up to Oxford City Regatta (16th/17th Aug). So if you're interested in that, please update your availability until then.
Finally
In case you haven't seen the latest from our Water Safety Advisor, please note that the PLA's flag warning system has turned black. Which means there's not a lot of water out there, and so could have an effect on the tidal predictions. Be extra careful around the Inshore Zone at low tide too.
Cheers
D
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