News & Events
Captain's Log: Preparing the Season Ahead
12th September 2022
The 2022/23 Season
After several quiet weeks on the rowing front since marking the end of the 2022 Regatta Season and my re-election as Captain, I am pleased to announce the final preparations for the forthcoming 2022/23 season, along with the new Captaincy Team: Deputy Captain Matthew Gutteridge, Vice Captain Henrik Jonstromer.
The Squad, together with Coach Beth and the Captaincy Team, will meet at 1900 on Thursday 15th September at the Club to kick the season off and present our training and racing plans for the forthcoming Heads Season. Please join us and pass the message on to any who may wish to join.
Land training sessions resume from Wednesday 14th – details/sign up on Fitclub.
Finally, a heartfelt thanks from me to all who have wished Samantha and I well and for our wedding on 27 August, we have enjoyed some wonderful celebrations and a very relaxing honeymoon but both very much looking forward to our return to rowing and getting back in our respective boats! Thanks to you all for the best wishes and kind messages.
Look forward to seeing many of you on Thursday and many more of you at the Centenary Ball on the 24th.
Best wishes
Rupert
Captain's Log: Issue 20
19th June 2022
Good Evening Cygnets, this is your Captain speaking,
I hope you’re keeping cool Cygnets amidst the sweltering heat of the last few days. I am pleased to say racing and training continues apace and those working hard through training are really seeing the dividends on the water, we’re hoping for a strong finish at the remaining regatta this season.
Our summer learn to row (this year a Get Fit & Row) is just around the corner, hot on the heels of Henley Friday. Please spread the word for both – all the details you need are below.
We send our congratulations to Barnes Bridge Ladies who took a fleet of boats to race at Henley Women’s Regatta on Friday, including qualification in the coxed four event – well done BBLRC for a strong showing and marking the Centenary Year on the Henley course.
Barnes & Mortlake Regatta Report
We had a good showing at our last local regatta of the season at Barnes and Mortlake on Saturday 11th July. The return of the Ozyurt/Bailey 2x saw us take Vesta in the Semi Final despite some challenging conditions with a convincing victory of 3 lengths. Alas the youthful exuberance of Team Keane saw us outmatched by 1¾ Lengths in the final but we fought them to the line and were pleased with a semi final win and well contested final.In the 4x straight final, sandwiched between two Fulham Crews, we raced well and raced hard with our best performance of the season clearing third place Easily and to miss out on victory by 1 ¼ Lengths to the winning crew.
The takeaway from both events and from the recent training is that the effort and commitment is clearly paying off, those attending regularly are making great strides of progress with some really competitive racing with Coach Beth taking us through some key changes and big steps forward – well done to those of you involved, keep up the hard work and the rewards will come.
Learn to Row Course 2022 – From 03rd July 2022
Spread the word: This summer’s learn to row kicks off from the 3rd July and we’re hoping to run a full Get Fit and Row Course, but we need your help to spread the message and get recruiting to get the most from the event. Details can be found here, the course will be a mix of land and water training. All offers of volunteers will be welcome – all enquiries to Deputy Captain Martin Drage who is organiser in chief. Spread the word if you know of keen rowers-to-be.Forthcoming Races
We have two away races left in our regatta calendar for the season which will round off our summer campaign by the end of July – and plenty of time between now and then to get some solid race prep and training in to finish the summer strong. We have a mix of boats entered already across 4+, 4x 2x and 1x categories for those who have signed up. So if you’re thinking about it, now’s the time to commit – sign up on FitClub.- 23–24th July St Neots
- 30th July Henley Town & Visitors
Boathouse Maintenance Day
A big thank you to all who gave up their time and effort last weekend to help out with maintenance around the boathouse and in the garden to make a real difference to the upkeep of the boathouse and facilities. Huge thanks to you all.CSBE AGM: Thank you too to those who will be representing Cygnet on the CSBE Exec Committee this coming year after the elections at the Boathouse AGM and to the outgoing cast for your excellent contribution in keeping the boathouse standing, the clubs functioning and boating operations slick and smooth!
Social Matters
HENLEY FRIDAY – 1st July
Members of both Cygnet and BBLRC are invited into the most exclusive Henley enclosure, namely the garden at Old Blades during Henley Royal Regatta Friday, which this year falls on 1st July. This invitation has been very kindly made by our hostess, Mrs Pat Sly, who is one of Cygnet's Life Honorary Members. Club members are welcome from around 12 noon until 6pm (end of racing).Taxis will be arranged from Barnes/Mortlake, for those local and interested.
CENTENARY BALL 24th September – Tickets on Sale
Tickets are now on sale for the hottest date of the year for the Centenary Ball on 24th September – a black tie affair promising to be a great occasion. We are looking forward to rowers and friends past and present joining us at the Richmond Hill Hotel. More info and tickets on sale here
- Friday 1st July: Henley Friday
- Sunday 31st July: OGM (Captaincy Elections) & end of season party
- 9th – 11th September: Sculling Camp
- 24th September: Centenary Ball
- 18th September: Scullers Head
- 1st October: Rhine Marathon
- 2nd October: Pairs Head
Captains Log: Issue 19
30th May 2022
Good morning all, this is your Captain speaking!
Training and racing continues (see forthcoming races below) and a great trip up river to the Bungalow for some racing and scamping (with the occasional trip to the pub). I’m sure all are very much looking forward to the extra long weekend, sadly no racing for us but we will be back out in racing strip on the 11th.
Boathouse Working Day - Sunday 12 June - all hands on deck
Pleased to report that a working day at the boathouse has been organised for some long overdue sprucing up and maintenance, inside and out. All are welcome and encouraged for day of work and tidying 10-1600 Sunday 12 June - please bring good humour and elbow grease. Refreshments and lunch provided so please do pop down for a couple of hours or stick around after your outings to lend some support. The working day will be followed by the CSBE AGM and committee elections.
Walton/Weybridge Regatta and Scamp Returns!
Pleased to report back on an excellent weekend (21–22 May) upstream at our Hamhaugh Island Residence, despite the trailering gods doing their level best to keep us on the tideway, a good team effort got us to Weybridge in time for our first race and a return to racing form for Charlie Pretzlik, this time under Umpires’ orders rather than giving them! We enjoyed a busy day of racing, alongside a strong contingent from BBL too, that saw us racing a number of boats across 1x, 2x, and 4x.
Whilst no wins on the day, some exciting action for all our crews. Racing behind us, much scamping was enjoyed, well fuelled by a bungalow BBQ, plenty of time was spent enjoying the cut and exploring ‘the W’ amidst some glorious weather indeed.
Cygnet was, however, successful in the Weybridge Ladies erg regatta on Sunday with Matt Byrne putting down the fastest sprint as part of their fundraising efforts for the clubhouse. Well done Matt, just a shame those ergs don’t float...!
We will return to the Bungalow for a September Sculling Camp, 9-11 September.
Forthcoming Races
Sadly we’re not quorate for Peterborough next weekend - too many street parties perhaps - so we will next be racing back on the tideway Saturday 11th June. Please update your availability so racing crews, boats and training can be planned accordingly.
- 11th June: Barnes & Mortlake
- 23–24th July: St Neots
- 30th July: Henley Town & Visitors
Learn to Row Course 2022
Details are being finalised for Cygnet’s summer learn to row this year but will likely run from early July with a mix of land and water training, following a Get Fit to Row model. All offers of volunteers will be welcome – enquiries to Deputy Captain Martin Drage who is organiser in chief. Spread the word if you know of keen rowers-to-be.
CENTENARY BALL, 24th September – Tickets on Sale
Tickets are now on sale for the hottest date of the year for the Centenary Ball on 24 September- a black tie affair promising to be a great occasion. We are looking forward to rowers and friends past and present joining us at the Richmond Hill Hotel. More info and tickets on sale here.
- Friday 1st July: Henley Friday
- Sunday 31st July: OGM (Captaincy Elections) & end of season party
- 9th – 11th September: Sculling Camp
- 24th September: Centenary Ball
- 18th September: Scullers Head
- 1st October: Rhine Marathon
- 2nd October: Pairs Head
