News & Events
Cygnet Weekly Update
20th February 2017
Head of the River weekend is less than five weeks. We need to pick the crews and planning the training in the run up to the race and that starts with confirm who wants to race over the two days. The plans are not set in stone right now but the thinking is to enter a senior and novice crew into Head of the River on Saturday and a masters crew for Vets Head on Sunday, with the possibility of entering a composite crew with Tideway Scullers.
So can all those wanting to race confirm that with me as well as whether you can race on both days. Head of the River is over the full course from Mortlake to Putney on the ebb tide, Vets Head is on flood tide from Harrods to Chiswick Bridge. Over the past few weeks there has been a core of rowers turning up every week for the double outings and doing the land training. If you want to race in either of the Saturday boats over the full course you need to prove your fitness to Tim by completing the 5k ergo test. This takes place this coming Saturday if you can't make this then complete it at your convenience and send your result to Tim and me, Participation in the Vets event on Sunday will be a bit more relaxed but clearly the more training and water time you get the better you will do. We have an opportunity for a dress rehearsal at Kingston Head on the 18th March, so please indicate on the spreadsheet if you can make it.
So let me know you intentions, do the test and update the spreadsheet with your availability between now and the race so we get maximum water time in 8s.
Before that there is Hammersmith Head at 9:30 on Sunday 5th March. We have an IM3 crew entered, (there were too few rowers to get a second VIII out) consisting of Robin, Jez, Cris, Matt, Guy, Nick R, Gareth and Sam (cox to be confirmed). Before the race, can everyone clear any money owing to the club for subs and race fees (Matt has given me the list of debtors, I wont name and shame yet).
So, this week...
Tuesday 7:15pm Cicruits with Maxi at Cavendish School
Wednesday 7pm Club run (distance tbc)
Thursday 7pm Squad ergo (work to be confirmed)
Saturday 5k ergo test - this will be a key factor in crew selection for HORR and VHoR so make sure you complete it.
The test will start at 9:30 am in how ever many waves it takes to get though everyone.
Seniors will have a warm up outing OTW at 7:30, meeting for Tim's briefing at 7:05.
Novice squad will have their outings after their test.
Sunday - An early start to get outing complete before the AGM at 12 noon.
So meet at club at 6:40, OTW at 7am
12 noon Cygnet AGM
Thanks to Tim for his session on safe steering on Saturday. Let's a work on increasing our river knowledge and safe steering skills so we can enjoy our rowing without risk to rowers or damage to boats.
And lets do all we can to make ourselves available for the sessions leading up to the head races and get as much time in 8s as we can between now and the race.
Have a good week,
Jez
Cygnet Weekly Update
15th February 2017
Cygnets,
Those of you on the river at the weekend don't need to be reminded by me of how cold that east wind was on both days, and yes the snow flurries did make the river look a little more picturesque but we weren't there for the view. 28k over two outings on Sunday constitutes a good mornings work and it was good to have an VIII out for the second outing. Thanks to Tom for coxing in what was only metaphorically the hot seat.
Next race is Hammersmith Head on Sunday 5th March at 9:30. From the earlier poll, I have the following 14 people interested in racing:
Jeremy, Gavin , Barry, John, Bart, Cristobal, Ian, Nick R, Guy, Piers , TomB, Gareth, Matt B, Robin.
So we either find a couple more rowers to make up a first and second VIII or we will enter one boat. Can you confirm your availability and willingness to race by putting "HH" on the 5th March on the spreadsheet so we can select the crews. Entries close at noon on 25th Feb.
This week:
Tuesday 7:15pm Cavendish School Circuits with Maxi
Wednesday 7:00pm Club run 5k easy,
Thursday: 7pm Squad ergo, 20 min rate 20 at 77% of 2k wattage
Saturday & Sunday Main Squad outings meet at club at 7:05, OTW by 7:30.
I will allocate boats to crews ahead of time so if you know that you will need to make adjustments to your boat please make sure this is done early so that all crews are push off at 7:30.
Novice outing will be at 9:45 both days, but we will organise an ergo session before the outing to get you properly warmed up!
Safety Note: We had a very narrow escape on Saturday with a very real chance of one of our boats capsizing and rowers ending up in a very cold and fast flowing river. Accidents aren't things that only happen to other clubs and I think the incident should be a real wake up call the club. Tim will include a safety and steering talk between the outings on Saturday but safety and good steering is a responsibility for all and should be part of our rowing DNA every time we go on the river. More to follow...
Coming up:
25/26 March Head of the River/Vets Head of the River - please make clear you willingness and availability to race well in advance to help with crew selection.
1st April Next Learn to Row course - Please support in promoting this course through your personal networks to make sure it is filled with Cygnet Henley Hopefuls.
22/23 April Sculling Camp at Hamhaugh Island- Great fun but also a unique opportunity for our novice rowers to get into a single scull and develop their boat and rowing skills in a fabulous and safe environment. Save the
That's all for now,
Jez
Cygnet Weekly Update
7th February 2017
Hi All,
Hopefully I'll be short and sweet this week...
Good work and long outings out on fast flowing Tideway at the weekend, it was good to see an VIII out for the second outing on Sunday, definite progress being made on technique and balance.
This week:
Tonight: 7:15pm Circuits with Maxi at Cavendish School
Wednesday 7:00pm Club Run 30' easy/ 30' hard. Non runners 7 x 5' squats/1' rest Rate 30
Thursday 7:00pm Squad ergo 5 x 1500m @5k pace -1s split
Saturday Main Squad outing meet at club at 7:05 for Tim's briefing OTW at 7:30 sharp, no faffing.
1st outing Water UT2 20k 8x 3 ' Rate 26-34
2nd outing Water tech 4-8k
Novices 9:15 at club 9:30 OTW
Sunday Main Squad outing meet at club at 7:05 for Tim's briefing OTW at 7:30 sharp,
1st outing Water tech 16k
2nd outing Water 12k 2 x 20' Bungee work r 22'
Novices 9:15 at club 9:30 OTW
I know it's an early, but the earlier we start the earlier we get away and we should be ahead of the Putney flotilla that arrives at 7:55 each Saturday and Sunday and get better conditions.
As ever, get you availability up to date on the spreadsheet.
Cheers
Jez
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