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Weekly Update
Author: Neil Pickford |
2nd July 2014
Evening All,
A rather nice weekend, which saw various training outings, a committee meeting, plus our newest single, 'Port2Port' named and beautifully sculled past by Neil P.
Also, the big news on Friday, was that Nick Bates' superstitious attachment to his old Cygnet all-in-one was finally broken. We had a solid training outing on the course in the morning, which seemed to be the last straw for the gusset. So it was in smartish newish Cygnet kit that we qualified for the Silver Goblets! Thanks to all for the support - both from the riverbank and from cyberspace. I'll spare you the stroke-by-stroke analysis of our qualifying piece - rest assured you'll get that on Friday at Old Blades.
(The other qualifying crew, from Western Ontario University, started two boats behind us, and finished one boat behind us. And we've drawn them in the first round on Thursday).
This means, incidentally, that since 2004 Cygnet have raced at Henley Royal Regatta more years than not.
This week
- Tues evening outings, as per Coach Sue's email.
- Squad Erg is 5x 6min, r28 or higher, 1min light pressure inbetween. Or 30min, r20, feet out.
- Erg for the New Novices is 2x 15mins r20 or lower.
- Thurs Bates & French 2- racing at Henley Royal Regatta (time to be confirmed on Wednesday evening)
- Thurs evening outings, as per Coach Sue's email
- Thurs evening post-session-session, I understand that Claire S-A of BBL is cooking.
- Fri Club Day at Henley Royal Regatta. You'll have seen Marj's emails on this: read and obey.
- Sat morning outings traditionally suffer somewhat after Friday's exertions...
- Sun morning outings - crew lists to follow.
- Sunday 6th is also "open house" at the Cygnets Bungalow. Anyone who wishes may visit - there will at least be a pot of tea (to detox from Friday?). A day or an afternoon by the river? Why not?
Other stuff
Entries for Kingston Regatta (12th June) need to go in this week, so let me know if you've got a crew that wants to go.
For St Neots at the end of the month (26th/27th July), the Coach and captaincy will be putting crews together based on availability + optimal boat speed + fun, from both clubs. So if you want to be involved - and believe me you do want to be involved - please update the spreadsheet now to show that you're available for St Neots regatta, and for training outings between now and then.
After that we approach the end of the regatta season, with Henley Town & Visitors on 2nd. We've already got crews up for that, so again, please put it in your diaries.
Small Ads
- If you're after a Concept II MOdel D, and/or a Turbo trainer - I've been contacted by someone converting his home gym into a nursery. £600 for both for a quick sale.
That is all
D

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Weekly update
Author: Neil Pickford |
19th June 2014
Evenin' All,

A very busy Saturday at the boathouse, with training outings, two learn-to-row crews out, racing at Barnes & Mortlake Regatta, plus six boat-loads of Germans stopping over on their trip down the Thames.

We had three crews racing at BMI Regatta - alas all met stiff/ young opposition in their first rounds. Indeed, by my estimation, our IM3 8+ was between one and one and a half centuries older than the Tideway Scullers crew they were racing. But they had a good race, with overlap with the second-placed crew (Radley) all down the course.
The learn-to-row outing on Sunday was the last of the series - doesn't time fly when you're having fun? However, this is hopefully only the end of the beginning for the particpants as we will be working to bring them into squad boats. Judging by the solid LTR outing I was in on Saturday, that won't be long at all. Copious thanks to Ian and Sue for bringing them up to speed, plus all the other helpers that have jumped in to sit boats, cox, and coach.

This week
- Tues 7.00pm outings. Nick R coaching.
- Thurs 7.00pm outings. Nick R coaching. Followed by the Post-Session-Session. I think there's a volunteer cook this week - watch this space. (Also boat-loading for Marlow)
- Sat 8.00am outings.
- Sun 8.00am outings.
Crew lists to follow.

Saturday is also Marlow Regatta at Dorney, and we've got two Pairs entered. A new format for us, as each category has to do a time trial in the morning, which dictates whether the boat makes the A Final, B Final etc. Both our pairs have got races at Senior, so we have potential for some blue-on-blue action. (Time Trials: Senior 2- 8.45am, Elite 2- 10.51am. Finals: Senior 2- 2.15pm, Elite 2- 5.05pm)
After that it's Henley Qualifying Races on Fri 27th, and then Club Day at Henley on Fri 4th July.
Before we start ramping up to St Neots at the end of next month, we'll think about entering Kingston Regatta on Sat 12th July - so please update your availability at least that far ahead.

Other Stuff
Double room to let in East Putney, good location 10 mins from tube & 15 mins from Putney high street/station. It's in a 3 bed flat sharing with two girls. £530 exc bills. Email kowen991[at]gmail.com if you/anyone you know is interested/wants to take a look.
That's all for now.
D

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Weekly update
Author: Neil Pickford |
18th June 2014
Evening Everybody,
Our Captain is holidaying in Turkey at the moment so a quick update from myself in his absence, and it will be an even quicker update than you are used to I'm afraid because no racing over the weekend means that there are no Cygnet victories to report on this week, so no easy first paragraph to kick things off with...
With no regattas happening, the Captain on holiday, and the coach also on holiday (a sort of Spartan warrior holiday - cycling from Glasgow to Fort William then running up and down Ben Nevis) things were a little bit quieter than usual at our favourite boathouse on Saturday and Sunday but there was still an impressive selection of singles, doubles, pairs, fours and quads out on the water enjoying the weather, and Nick Bates and Neil Pickford stepped in to run the Learn to Row course while Sue was away. Alternatively, if you planned to do some land training but happened to pick up a hangover then away from the water and out of the sunshine the BBC were also showing the European Championships from Belgrade all Sunday morning. That no doubt counts as homework on a training plan...
Looking ahead, the Captaincy would like to get a good number of crews (including mixed crews with BBLRC) entered for Barnes & Mortlake International Regatta on Saturday 14th June (a lot like the European Championships but without the travel) so a(nother) request from us to get your availability into the spreadsheet, including weeknight availability. And if you have already filled in your availability make sure it is still accurate
This week there will be coached outings at 7pm on Tuesday and Thursday (with an eye on BMI) as usual, and food in the bar after the outing on Thursday. I don't know what the land training is yet for this week but if no detail is forthcoming then get yourself to The Shed, warm up for 5-10 minutes, work hard on the ergo (or run) for 30 minutes, stretch plenty, warm down for 5-10 minutes then eat something. And drink plenty of water. We will also be rowing on Saturday and Sunday so keep an eye on your inboxes for further detail...
Time to hit the hay.
Enjoy the week, and keep your availability up to date!
Ian.
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