News & Events
Cygnet Weekly Update: Monday 1st Sept 2014
1st September 2014
Evenin' All,
A busy weekend around the club - even without set outings at the moment.
Friday evening was the End-of-Season dinner, in the now traditional surroundings of the backroom of the Coach & Horses. A healthy cross-section from across the club, and a good time was had by all - particular thanks to Stu for organising. And it was a salutory reminder that it is ALWAYS better to be over-dressed than under-dressed.
That event also saw the awarding of our two annual awards:
- The G.P. Jeffries Cup for Cygnet Rower of the Year. This goes to the oarsman who has improved most over the past 12 months - and there were several to choose from, with at least three of our scullers de-novicing for example, and our Novice 4+ continuing to work hard. It was difficult to single out an individual, but given how quickly he has picked up the rhythm, and his admirable attendance at training, congratulations to Nick Rae.
- The Wally Whedal Cup for Cygnet Sportsmanship & Endeavour, also known as 'Clubman of the year, was another category where we had more than one worthy candidate. This award is about showing willing, jumping into new boats, crews, and races, and putting up with what crewmates/ coaches/ other river users throw at you. For doing all of this, and staying smiling, congratulations to Louise Johnson.
There were a few boats out over the weekend, and then on Sunday we had the BBLRC & Cygnet Club Day. The sun shone, the bar was open, the barbecue was fired up, and there was even some rowing done - congratulations to the winners of the Mixed 4x and Mixed 2x side-by-side-training-pieces-events. And thanks to Orla and Sharon of BBLRC for arranging.
This week
-Tues and Thurs evening outings by crew arrangement. Remember to check sunset times and take (and switch on) lights.
- For those not on the water, this Thursday is Squad Erg night this week. With Coach Sue still overseas, I'm setting this one, and drunk on the power, it's an old favourite:
30mins, rate-capped at 20spm. Do it alongside others if possible, and don't forget to post your time on the google spreadsheet. We'll also have a couple of the new Learn-to-Row chaps down on Thursday, so do say hello.
- That erg will mean you can enjoy Thursday's post-session-session with a clear concience. Sarah T from BBL is cooking, you'll have seen Stu's email, please let Sarah know if you're staying for food.
- Sat & Sun 8am outings, and 10am for newer novices. We will have a look at availability on the spreadsheet and allocate crews if there are enough...
... which leads me to the first (of many) pleas of the Head season - please put your availability onto the spreadsheet. It's remarkably quick easy and painless, and makes the captains' and coach's life soooo much easier. Thank you.
Next week
We're holding an informal Squad Meeting next Thurs (11th) in the bar. Please put it in your diary and come along. If you're intending to race in the Head season, and/or prepare for next summer, and/or want to focus on social rowing/ fitness/ the social side, we want to hear from you. I'll even provide some food!
Looking ahead to the bigger Head races - the two Fours Head races and the HORR in particular - a lot will depend on numbers and commitment, as ever. We'd also like to take the squad's view on whether we might take a slightly different approach to some of them. For example, we could consider:
- focusing on 4x's for the Fours Head Saturday (4 point minimum in the boat, 10 point minimum for sweep boats).
- getting two or three Nov 4+'s for Fours Head Sunday - including one made up graduates from the most recent Learn-to-Row course.
- in 8's, putting our more experienced oarsmen into a Masters boat to in the Vets HORR, to go for a result there,
- and for the HORR itself, focusing on getting a Nov 8+ out and training regularly (with the more experienced guys subbing in where necessary).
All just thoughts at this stage - but hopefully food for thought - come along next Thursday and tell us what you think.
Further ahead
I've already banged on about Sculling Camp (weekend of 20/21 Sept) up at the Bungalow - not to be missed. And following that, the Pairs Head/ Rhine Marathon weekend on 4 Oct (if you're not doing one, you should be seriously considering doing the other).
I should also start flagging the Cygnet Leander Lunch, which is on Saturday 25th October. Fine dining, fine company, a mediocre speech from your captain (recycling much of the material from Friday night), followed by a fine post-prandial stroll to a local hostelry. Stu and Phil Beckett will be in touch with more details - but for now do save the date.
That's all for now.
D
Cygnet Weekly Update: Mon 25th August 2014
25th August 2014
Right,
Am back in civilisation after a couple of weeks in Cornwall - so this will be short and sweet.
The regatta season has now ended for Cygnet, and we've now entered a slightly quieter period on the rowing front. But the first head races are around the corner (see below). Please, please, use this time to maintain your core fitness, erg, run, cycle. I.e. whatever you do, do not end up on the finish line of an Autumn or Winter head race thinking "if only I'd kept a bit more of my summer fitness in the bank..."
For the next couple of weeks outings will continue, but will be in boats either organised by the crew, or show-and-row. 8am Saturdays and Sundays. Mid-week outings to be organised by crews, but note that earlier starts will be needed and/or lights on boats.
We will have a Squad Meeting shortly - date tbc. It will be a chance to discuss the season ahead, ambitions, and how to get there, with clubmates, captaincy, and coaches.
The end of the season does bring with it two welcome social events this weekend however:
- Friday evening is the End of Season dinner at the Coach & Horses, Barnes. You should have given your details over to Stu already if you're up for dinner - if you're not up for dinner but up for a beer or two, do drop in - we'll be in the room at the back, all are welcome.
- Sunday noon is the Cygnet/ BBLRC Club Day. Messing around in boats. All welcome including newer novices (and families) to come along to what is always fun and informal and involves members of all abilities from both clubs jumping into mixed scratch boats. (Essentially what St Neots was like, before other bigger clubs starting spoiling our fun).
Further ahead
- Sculling Camp is on 20/21 September. More to follow from Nick on this, but all are welcome to learn to scull/ hone sculling skills/ watch from the bank whilst discussing past sculling exploits.
- Pairs Head is on Saturday 4th Oct. So far we have two crews up for it: Bart & Gav's 2-, and an intergenerational 2x of Guy & Guy Jr. So there are boats available if you're interested, and we'd like to have as many entries as possible. I'd encourage anyone to consider it - it requires some reasonably competent steering, full pressure rowing for 15minutes, and (ideally) some training. There are also mixed categories available. Let me/ Sue know, or if you want to discuss.
Finally, on safety, I was going to draw everyone's attention to the current BLACK flag status on the tideway, due to low fluvial flows. However, given the biblical amounts of Bank Holiday rain we've been enjoying, it may end up jumping straight to RED... which is why doing a sensible risk assessment every time you go out is the only way to go.
Goodnight all.
D
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
