News & Events
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
Captain' Log: Issue 18
16th May 2022
Good Evening Cygnets, This is your Captain speaking!
First of these for a while, for which the Captain sends his apologies, but I hope and trust all in the Cygnet family are keeping well and enjoying all that Spring is offering.
We’re several weeks into the Summer Regatta season now and we’ve been making the most of tideway racing, with plenty more to come on the local stretch and further afield. We’re still hunting our first Cygnet Pewter of 2022, but as we make the most of our evenings on the water and retain a strong commitment to land training too, we’re hoping that those illusive pots won’t remain out of reach for long.
REVIEW OF REGATTA SO FAR
Hammersmith Regatta (23 April) –
Open 2x: Mustafa Ozyurt / Rupert Bailey.
With conditions that would make Heads Seasons proud and North Sea trawlermen wince, challenging conditions they were and whilst others were overcome, we raced on. Alas our opposition went on to win the event but whilst the draw and conditions were set against us, we were pleased to be racing hard again and getting Regatta season off to a solid start. Result loss to University College London (Easily).
Chiswick Regatta (30 April) –
Open 4x: Mustafa Ozyurt / Whit Mason / Pete Goldsworthy / Dom Marshall
We were excited by a return of better conditions and three-way racing returning to the tideway, this time with our quad on strong form. Crew battled hard and strong working hard against another tough draw. We were pleased to cross the line 4 Lengths ahead of Fulham Reach, but pipped by 2.5 Lengths by Thames. Good solid racing and a sign of more promise to come this season.
Borne@Chiswick Bridge (07 May)
Novice 4x: Rupert Bailey, Octavian Puzderca, Mike Kearney, Charles Johnston
A fantastic novice event run by Borne Regatta which provided an excellent opportunity to introduce some of our newest recruits to the excitement of summer racing and a three-way race on the flood between ourselves, Furnivall and Tradesmen. The crew battled hard and held out in front for first two-thirds of the course. In the end we were beaten to the line by a strong finished Furnivall who had 3.5 lengths on us whilst we held on to a 4.5 length lead over Tradesmen. Hard fought and lots of promise from our newest rowers, who we hope will continue to shine in races this summer.
Next Weekend – Walton/Weybridge Regatta and Scamp Returns!!
Next weekend (21-22 May) we will be returning upstream to our Hamhaugh Island Residence for a mix of racing and sculling camp entertainment, with Saturday playing host to Walton and Weybridge Regatta, where there will be plenty of racing action to keep your eyes on and a chance for some fair water sculling too. The Trailer will be arriving Friday evening with a full day of racing Saturday and a more leisurely paced Sunday around the bungalow and on the fairer waters to enjoy!
Details for signing for attending the weekend have been emailed to the squads by Megan our Social Secretary but can also be found here. Expect sculling, racing and BBQs to while away the weekend!
Cygnet Racing Crews
Race 8 - 0845 1x – Charles Pretzlik
Race 48 – 10:26 1x – Ross Stewart
Race 103 – 13:03 4x – Rupert Bailey, Whit Mason, Martin Drage, Tom Broadhurst
Race 143 – 14:35 2x – Rupert Bailey, Henrik Jonstromer
Race 145 – 14:41 2x – Chris Jaguers, Mike KearneyForthcoming Races
It feels like the summer is racing by already, but we’ve got plenty of racing left to run with several away races in June and July plus a local classic with Barnes and Mortlake scheduled for June. Please sign up early if you wish to race and keep that training going.
- 4–5 June: Peterborough Spring
- 11 June: Barnes & Mortlake
- 25 June: Richmond (We expect will likely be cancelled, following the same for Twickenham)
- 23–24 July: St Neots
- 30 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 – all 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
