Doesn’t time fly when you’re ‘running’ a boat club? It hardly seems that a whole year has passed since I rang the bell thinking “what have I let myself in for?” Well an awful lot of email for starters………
Now I believe I said that if I was half as successful a captain as Mike had been then I’d be a happy man. I don’t think that I did actually quite get half as many regatta wins but with several notable absences form the squad that was always going to be a big ask.
I am, however, still a happy man as it’s not just winning
pots that makes us a happy club: I’m very proud that such a small club can be
so well represented throughout the year with a high number of entries in all the
major head races and many, many regattas. We’ve also enjoyed darts matches,
bike rides, triathlons, dinners, dances, mixed racing (with BBLRC), BBQs and of
course, many, many beers. We’ve seen a steady trickle of new faces coming, and
more importantly, staying which also bodes well. So my thanks to all of the
squad of their help, hard work, commitment and enthusiam this year both in and
out of the boat.
However, back on the pot winning front, class wins in the Rhine marathon and the Scullers Head, the ‘epic’ Novice win at Twickenham and that cheeky win at Peterborough Spring with a scratch S2 crew are particularly memerable. A full list of wins is available on the website.
On a personal level I had a good season in a pair with Nick with several qualifying wins, culminating in Cygnet once again being represented at Henley in the Goblets. A proud moment for us and I hope one that will inspire enough of the squad to work hard over the winter for a similar result next year.
In time honoured tradition my particular thanks must go to the following people: my fellow captains Marj and Stuart for all their very hard work, the committee for it’s support, Alan for his invaluable time, Kathryn for her coaching, Greg for getting us fit, and lastly Mike for handing over the club in such good health in the first place. I just take the flack and enjoy the glory but the truth is that running Cygnet is a great team effort and long may it continue.
Speaking of continuation, they say that the second year of captaincy is always easier so with that in mind/clouding my judgement I have put myself up for re-election as Captain along with Marj and Stu for Deputy and Vice respectively.
So as my old mate Davo is want to say: Bring it on! (if selected, of course)
Neil