Captain' Log: Issue 18

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 Kearney

Forthcoming 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 24^th 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.

Dates for your diary:

• 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