News & Events

• Captain's Log: Issue 4

  Author: Neil Pickford |

  3rd September 2021

  Good Afternoon Cygnets, this is your Captain speaking

  A few days later than planned (for which my apologies) but a big thank you to everyone who attended this weekend's End of Season Celebrations and club day events - was great to see so many of you there and to get the real social buzz back at the club again.

  Congratulations to all who raced on Club Day and thank you for the support from the bank in the Captain's Race - well raced Martin! You'll find some highlights from Club Day 2021 here

  End of Season Awards:

  • Congratulations to Mustafa Ozyurt, awarded the Wally Wheldal Cup for sportsmanship and endeavour as the clubman of the year for his huge efforts this season in bringing the club community back together and reuniting us all in response to the pandemic around the clubhouse and in the bar. Many of us have really benefited from Mustafa's efforts, reinjecting life and social spirit after a very difficult period impacting on life at the club. Thank you Mustafa for all that you have done in demonstrating the Cygnet Spirit.
  • Congratulations to Rower of the Year, Matthew Gutteridge, awarded the J P Jeffries Cup, for his exemplary development as a rower and for representing Cygnet competitively across a range of disciplines in Regatta this summer, with a really positive commitment to the training programme and an excellent racing season. You can be hugely proud of your rowing achievements with us this season and I very much hope more to celebrate in the year ahead.
  • Special rowing commendations went to Ross Stewart (last year's rower of the year) for his achievements and success in the single scull again this season. And to Gareth Furby for his participation alongside the squad and development during squad outings this season and the significant improvements in the coached land and water sessions. Congratulations to both Ross and Gareth.
  • A big thank you to our wonderful team of coaches for all their hard efforts and dedication with us this season and to all the committed volunteers behind the scenes, around the boathouse and on the hard who keep us running as a club and a community making the successful and welcoming club that we are: thank you to you all.
  • Special mention to Cris who was celebrated as outgoing Captain and awarded a special Cygnet blade for all his efforts over the last three seasons.

  Thanks to everyone who helped out on the day and made it a very special evening - great to see you all.

  Sculling Camp

  • Final call to sign up for next weekend - please sign up via fitclub/contact Martin if you are planning on attending. Details will follow for those who have signed up about loading the trailer and the timetable for the weekend.

  Next Season

  • Season starts Tuesday 14th September - Squads Meeting at the club 1930. If you are looking to sign up and row with us this coming season, please join us - we will be presenting the plans for squad training and races over the next season and getting us all together to get the season underway. Whether you are new to the squad/club or returning for another season, attendance is expected. We'll also be on hand to answer any questions you may have.
  • Sculler's Head (18th September) is not too far away, anyone who has not signed up yet, please make yourself known if you are interested, entries are now being finalised.
  • Pair's Head (2nd October) entries are now open, if you'd like to race a 2- or 2x please sign up on Fitclub or get in contact if you are interested in racing.

  Pre-Season Training

  • The usual weekend water outings are on Fitclub, please sign up if you want to get on the water this weekend.
  • Weeknight sessions for pre-season are also online, these are now land-based because of the earlier sunsets, squad ergs and strength and conditioning sessions are bookable on fitclub.

  Safety and navigation

  • You will have seen the recent announcements about the Barnes Bridge arch closure - please note the new navigation rules and proceed with caution: https://www.cygnet-rc.org.uk/article-barnes_bridge_arch_closure.html
  • As the evenings are beginning to draw in, if you are going afloat independently, please ensure lights are fitted if afloat after 18:00.
  • Steering tests will be conducted during September - please let me know if you need to complete yours.
  • 
    

  Thanks all and have a lovely evening, any questions or queries just get in touch.

  Best wishes

  Rupert

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• Captain's Log: Issue3

  Author: Neil Pickford |

  13th August 2021

  Good Evening Cygnets, this your Captain speaking.

  Huge thanks to all involved in the graduation event for the Learn to Row this week, a great evening of racing and socialising so thanks to all involved. A very special thank you to all who have helped out during the course to make it a success and in particular to Beth, Charlotte and Laurent for their work in organising, coaching and coxing the event. We are very hopeful that a good number will join our ranks and be rowing with the squad very soon.

  Outings and land training will continue over the coming weeks, albeit at a lower intensity and for the select crowd not away enjoying holidays - we will look to get as many people who are around on the water as possible - including our LTR graduates - and make the most of the summer time and quieter waters out on the tideway.

  Outings this weekend: Outings will be uncoached this weekend. Timings are as advertised on Fitclub and the usual scheduled boating times. Please keep a good look out on the river and for each other. I am away to the South West for the weekend, Martin will be onsite for Saturday's outing.

  Squad Survey: Thanks to those who have responded already, as we develop plans for the next season, please take a moment to complete the survey so we can build a programme to help you and the squad develop and enjoy rowing. Please take a few minutes to complete the survey:https://forms.gle/j18dwympomHMLn5f6
  

  Forthcoming Events:

  • End of Season Celebration: Hog Roast and Beer Festival at the Boathouse Saturday 28 August. Please sign up on Fitclub or email me directly to sign up.
  • Club Day: BBL/Cygnet Club Day picnic and racing Bank Holiday Monday please sign up on Fitclub or directly to register interest. Partners, families and rowing widows welcome.
  • Sculling Camp (S'camp) 10 - 12 September: please register your interest on Fitclub (10 September entry) and also include the days that you plan to attend in the comment section. If you are interested in an early arrival e.g. Thursday please indicate. Assistance will be required for trailer loading and unloading and associated (de)rigging from all who will be attending. https://www.cygnet-rc.org.uk/sspage-news__amp__events-rowing_stuff-sculling_camp52.html
  • The next season will begin, 13 September 2021. The first race of Heads season will be Scullers Head, Saturday 18 September. If you wish to express your interest in racing Scullers Head, please see FitClub / email Cygnet.captain@gmail.com
    

  I look forward to seeing some of you at Henley tomorrow - promises to be a great afternoon at HRR, enjoy the racing and the fizz!

  As usual any queries, comments or questions please do get in touch.
  Best wishes
  Rupert

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• Cygnet Captain's Log: Issue 2

  Author: Neil Pickford |

  7th August 2021

  Good afternoon Cygnets, this is your Captain speaking.

  We're well into summer holiday season now, so those of you away and out and about, hope you are enjoying a summer break and a change of scenery, or otherwise just following all the Olympic drama and entertainment.

  A combination of event changes and availability means we have now reached the end of racing for summer 2021. Well done to all those who took part in regattas, lots of experience gained, some pots one and plenty to learn and improve from. Now we look towards a busy social season for the end of the summer months, compressed due to COVID but some fun events to enjoy with the LTR Graduation and Henley Friday next week and End of Season celebrations and Club Day to follow at the end of August. More details below.

  Outings may be subject to change and variation as we move towards the end of summer and availability becoming limited due to holidays, breaks from the water for the coaching team and maximising time on the water for our LTR graduates. Keep an eye out on fitclub and messaging as this develops. If you are signed up to outings, please make sure you attend or give as much warning as you can if you are unexpectedly unable to make it. Please keep the disciplined time-keeping so outings start on time.

  The Captaincy and Coaching team are increasingly looking ahead to next season, preparing the training plans and schedule for Heads Season and beyond - more will follow: Season starts w/c 13 September.

  Please read below - there are important updates about forthcoming events and safety information to take note of.

  1. Important Safety Notices:

  • Steering Tests: as mentioned in my last message, I am working with our safety adviser Charlie to arrange steering tests in the coming weeks, ahead of the start of the season. If you have not sat the steering test previously, even if an experienced rower who has experience off the tideway, all steers and coxes need to take the steering test to demonstrate sufficient knowledge and competence to be responsible for boats on the tideway. It is good practice for all rowers to have done so. Please contact me if you have not previously sat the test and need to put your name on the list.
  • Steering, safety and boat handling: A reminder to always keep a good look out, when you're afloat make sure you are in the correct part of the river according to the rules and tide. Be aware of the likely hazards you will encounter when out on the water. This includes bridges, other river traffic and shoals (Especially above Putney Town, Opposite Chiswick Eyot and outside the club). Make sure you and your crews are proceeding with appropriate caution, especially at low-tides and in the in-shore zone: don't get caught out. Please also make sure you take care moving boats on and off racking and on the hard - ask for a hand if you need it. All of this is to keep you safe and our boats damage free. https://boatingonthethames.co.uk/the-tideway-code-boating-on-the-thames
  • Reporting Boat Damage: Any damage to boats or equipment or things that need fixing must be reported either directly or via the damage reporting tool on the website. However minor or if you're not sure please make it known so it can be fixed or mended before others use it. https://www.cygnet-rc.org.uk/ssform-facilities-the_fleet-report_damage.html

  2. Next Season:

  • The next season will begin, week commencing 13 September 2021. The first race of Heads season will be Scullers Head, Saturday 18 September. If you wish to express your interest in racing Scullers Head, please see FitClub.
  • Survey Says... The Captains and coaches want to hear from you as we develop plans for the next season and build a programme to help you and the squad develop and enjoy rowing. Please take a few minutes to complete the survey:https://forms.gle/j18dwympomHMLn5f6

  3. Forthcoming Events:

  • LTR Graduation Tues 10 August - Please sign up on fitclub and pop along to join in with the LTR Graduation event this Tuesday, with a presentation, BBQ and drinks from the bar after the outing.
  • Henley Friday - You will have see the email from Marj, if you are attending Henley Friday (Friday 13 August) please register you interest on fitclub or contact me directly if you would like to travel by taxi with other Cygnets/BBL from Barnes. Deadline for Taxi sign up is Monday 09 August.
  • End of Season Celebration: Hog Roast and Beer Festival at the club Saturday 28 August. Please sign up on Fitclub or contact me directly for more details.
  • Club Day: BBL/Cygnet Club Day picnic and racing - again please sign up on Fitclub or directly to register interest. Partners, families and rowing widows welcome.

  4. Sculling Camp (S'camp) 10 - 12 September

  • For the weekend of 10 - 12 September, Cygnet will be relocating to our up-river residence at the Bungalow, located on Hamhaugh Island, near Walton-on-Thames and Shepperton. It's a chance to enjoy a relaxed atmosphere, make the most of some calmer waters off-tideway and develop skills for single sculling on quieter stretches. Some of you may even enjoy some upstream swimming (intentionally or otherwise). Generally sculling camp runs from Friday through Sunday but day trippers are also welcome, some limited accommodation is available on site, with plenty of garden too to pitch a tent.
  • If you are interested, please register your interest on Fitclub (10 September entry) and also include the days that you plan to attend in the comment section. If you are interested in an early arrival e.g. Thursday please indicate. Assistance will be required for trailer loading and unloading and associated (de)rigging from all who will be attending. https://www.cygnet-rc.org.uk/sspage-news__amp__events-rowing_stuff-sculling_camp52.html

  5. Getting Involved

  • And Finally: Volunteering If you are interested in being involved and looking for volunteer opportunities to help out on the social front or generally, please do get in touch, there's plenty to be involved in and the club runs / is at it's best when we have as many people as possible lending a hand.
  • There are a number of committee positions available that we are looking to fill, along with ad-hoc opportunities. Please get in touch.
  • Application for Hammersmith Ferry Piers / ferry service - Please consider providing your views and response to the proposed ferry crossing, which is likely to impact on rowing and events on the tideway.https://www2.richmond.gov.uk/lbrplanning/Planning_CaseNo.aspx?strCASENO=21/1770/FUL

  6. Dates for your diary:

  • 10^th August - LTR Graduation
  • 13^th August - Henley Friday
  • 28^th August - End of Season Celebration: Hog Roast and Beer Festival
  • 31^st August BH Monday - BBL/Cygnet Club Day picnic and racing
  • 10^th - 12^th September - Sculling Camp: Cygnet Bungalow
  • 13^th September - Start of 2021/22 Heads Season - Full training resumes.
  • 18^th September - Scullers Head
  • 2^nd October - Pairs Head

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