News & Events
Cygnet Weekly Update
25th July 2016
Highlight of the past week was the festival of rowing that is St Neots Regatta. It was my fourth time and by far the loveliest of days on Saturday, the river and the regatta field really looked a picture. Last year the gazebo was needed for its rain retarding properties, this year it was thethe shade it offered that got everyone seeking its cover. The rwgatta is a joy, so friendly and relaxed, the marshals so patient and such a good spirit between clubs and opposing crews, competitive but in a most old fashioned sporting way.
On the river, by fat the coolest place to be, we had some exciting racing and race wins but no trophies. It could have been different, the 4+ crew of Nick, Scott, Cris and Robin were hunting down the London Otters when Swany McSwanface strayed into the the racing lanes to be clipped on the body first by Robin on the drive, chopped on the neck on the recovery by Robin then to add insult to injury Scott delivered the coup de grace to its wing on the next strike. So we missed about 3 strokes in the process and boat speed was lost. Swany was certainly moving slower, the otters darted away up the Ouse and the race was lost. I'd like to say the no swans were hurt in the making of this story, but that would not be true. Maybe the cox should have kept a between look out, but had a grudge against all of them since one attacked me whilst canoeing on the river Wye in 1988. Taken a long time to get even with swankind. Thank goodness it wasn't a Cygnet. Needless to say the Otters went on to win leaving all their other oppo a,country mile behind.
The Mas C 4+ won their heat against Star by about 3 lengths. In the semi final we faced a Mas D crew from Broxbourne which meant giving them a 9 second headstart, which meant that they were like half way down the course before we started. We clawed most it back to have an overlap at the finish but we ran out of river to get past them. Needless to say again that Broxbourne won the final by a more comfortable margin. More races and fast and furious action in the sprints on Sunday, Matt won his 1x heat, but lost to a giant in his semi. Thanks to Robin and Anna for coxing and to Tom and Jo for trailering. I'm trying to get the details of the swannery so we can send flowers and get well soon cards.
Next weekend is Henley Town and Visitors where we have a Nov 4+ and Mas C 4x racing, more details to follow.
This week's plan...
Tuesday 7pm at the club
Both crews working on race starts and 2, 3 4 minute race pieces both boats side by side if poss4- Nick R, Scott, Tom R, Robin
4x Ben, Vasil, Tom B, CrisThursday 7pm
More race pieces and starts and side by side races. Boat loading for Ht&V after the outing4- Jez, Scott, Cris, Robin
4x Ben , Vasil, Tom B , Ian MSorry AJ and John, am the crews are geared round the racing lineups for Saturday and doing full race practice, but as always come and do a 30 min r 20 feet out ergo. Will get you out on the water soon.
I'm sorting out coaching and we should have cover for both days.
I'll send out more detail about HT&V meet and race times later in the week.
And City of Oxford is just round the corner so will be putting crews forward in the next few days.
Finally, big thanks to Scott for fixing the trailer. Kiwis are great club members!
Have a fab week
Jez
Cygnet Weekly Update
18th July 2016
Cygnet Weekly Update blog postLovely weather and conditions out on a blissfully quiet Tideway at the weekend. Shame about the colour of the water on Sunday. A variant of the two St Neots racing 4+ were do some honest race pieces and working up a lather under Alan's expert eye on Sunday, I hope that will propel them to glory next weekend. Special note about the heroics of Tom R who despite illness overnight made it down for an 8am outing on Saturday, a shining light to one and all.
We have two boats entered in St Neots Regatta on Saturday:
MasC 4+ Robin (c)Jez,Nick R,Matt,Cris
Nov 4+ Jez(c) Nick R, Scott, Cris, Robin
We are waiting for the draw to come out then I'll let you know the race times. There are other mixed combos racing in the sprint event on Sunday, you know who you are and what you've entered, but again I'll let you know race times when they come out.
Only a week later we have Henley T&V with:
Gav, Jez, Robin, Cris, Tom B, and a couple of possibles in Bart, Charlie, and Rob A and an "unlikely" from Patrick. It's an iconic venue and not far from base, Crews need to submitted by noon on Saturday. Can you please confirm your availability and racing preferences by Wednesday at the latest so I can make sure we get crews entered on Friday. Nough said.
So this week:
Tuesday: 7pm at the club
Andre our boat repairer is returning a couple of boats on Wednesday and will collect the Paul Rawkins which is in for repair. So can we de-rig the Rawkins and leave it on the lawn at the side of the club on Tuesday night please.
Matt (Mixed 2x)
4- Ben, Scott, Cris, Robin In need of a steersman - I'll see if I can get one, otherwise the ergo is a beaut:
Erg: 20 x (1min on 1min off) rate 30+
Tom B, Vasil, AJThursday 7pm
4- (in need of a cox, I'll see if I can get one)
Jez, Scott, Cris, Robin4x
Vasil, Tom B, AJ, MattSorry Tom Robins . 9 is a hard number to squeeze into boats when I've got racing crews to get on the water. But ergo is:
Erg: 4 x 500m free rate drag125 - at least 5 sec faster than 5k pb. Then 1 x 500m free rate, drag 110 (split harder to come by due to lower drag so focus on speed of conectiopn at front end). GOOD COOL DOWN
De rigging of boats and trailer loading for St Neots after the outings.
Finally...
Just a plug for learning to steer and learning to single scull. The more people who have passed their steering test and have been signed off, the more likely it is that everyone who is available on any given day will get an outing. Rob A and William have both made the effort and should be given signed off soon, but I would like everyone to make the effort of learning to steer or learning to cox. You wont have to do it that often but it is only right and fair that all experienced rowers can step up when needed. Steering test is easy enough to prepare for, swatting up on the Tideway Code and taking the short test with Charlie. An we have great experience and willingness to share it in the likes of Dr Jackson to get steering tuition on the water. If nothing else, learning to steer makes you appreciate what is involved when someone else is steering you. The river is quiet and slow moving for the next couple of months, this is the best time to earn your steering spurs.
And that's it for now. more news St Neots draw as soon as I have it.
Take care
Jez
Cygnet Weekly Update
4th July 2016
Just a great afternoon at Old Blades on Friday of Henley Royal Regatta. The rain fell in the morning and the afternoon stayed dry and finally we were blessed with late afternoon sunshine, Pimms flowed all day, lunch was top notch and every so often a couple of boats would flash and splash past. Sensible folk knowing their limits left and made the trip back to town, younger, less experienced chaps carried on till the wee small hours and paid a heavy price come Saturday morning. Massive thanks to Pat Sly for one again hosting us at an incomparable venue.
Saturday was bright and breezy for outings, some rowers not so bright and breezy. We got a 4 x, 4- and 2- on the water, thanks to Alan for the coaching. Sunday a 4x and various scullers were out working hard.
Kingston Regatta is this Saturday. We have a Nov 4+ entered - Claudia, Jez, Scott, Patrick, Cris, good luck to them, I will put out the race times when announced.
Further ahead on the 23/24th July St Neots Regatta. Signed up so far we have: Jez, Matt, Robin, Cris, Nick R, Tom B, Scott. We will speak to BBL about mixed crews as well as entering Cygnet crews to try to get everyone two races. We could do with a few more of our finely honed athletes signing up, but we need to get crews sorted out in the next week. Don't miss out on the most fun regatta and party of the season!!!
Henley T&V the week after another good regatta at an iconic venue. Please sign up if you can make it...
This week
We are short of a steersman for both Tuesday and Thursday to get everyone on the water. Anyone available to help?
Tuesday 7pm
4- Starts + 4 x 2 min race pieces
Nick R, Scott, Parick, CrisErgo "2x15mins (r19 & r26 every 5 mins) , 1x 10min (r19 & r28 every 2 mins) 3mins rest"
Tom B, Vasil, AJThursday 7pm
4+ Claudia. Jez, Scott, Patrick, Cris
4- (or 4x) from - I will try to get one more steer to make up a 4x and 4-
Matt, Nick, Tom B, AJ, Tom R, Ben, VasilSee you Thursday
Jez
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