Captain's Log 2611

Good evening Cygnets

With apologies for a delayed Captain’s log, but pleased to report following a successful Fours and Vets Fours weekend – congratulations to all who raced (and the many sore glutes afterwards) and a huge thank you to all the helpers who supported a successful weekend on land and on water – I really appreciate the hard efforts of our small army of dedicated volunteers who show up and lend a hand on these busy weekends.

Key date for diaries: Squad catch up This Thursday (1^st December) 1900 in the club bar. Looking for full squad attendance please.

1. Fours Head / Veterans Fours Head Races

Congratulations to the three crews who raced in the end, some beautiful conditions to row in and good to see Cygnet colours out on the river and the brilliant support from Middlesex and Surrey banks.

Fours Head:
4- Open Club: Matthew Gutteridge, Cristobal Cabrera, Rupert Bailey, Mustafa Özyurt

Veterans Fours Head:
4x Masters H: Paul Rawkins, Rhodri Walters, Stephen Reeves, Nick Wylie
4- Masters B: Henrik Jonstromer, Martin Drage, Rupert Bailey, Mustafa Özyurt

Well done to all crews.

2. Next Races:

Our next race will be Sunday 18^th December with Quintin Plum Puddings (Pink House to Quintin, followed by Christmas celebrations @QBC). I am hoping to enter two crews (one Vets, one main squad) – Please sign up via Fitclub or via me.

Promises to be a fun event to round off the term and set us up well for the Christmas break. An excellent way to blow away any cobwebs from the BBLRC Christmas party the night before…

Racing Calendar

2022

• Sunday 18^th December: Quintin Plum Puddings

2023

• 29th January: Quintin Head – Tideway
• 26th February: Hammersmith Head – Tideway
• 18th March: Eights Head of the River (HORR) – Tideway
• 19th March: Vets Eights Head of the River – Tideway

3. Training:

Let’s keep at it and keep the lights on the shed as we get towards the end of Heads Season and– that momentum and consistency is really key for building our performance and rowing well, as well as building our squad and crews.

A reminder that all training sessions are online. The Captain is very cognisant of very busy lives and long winter months, but if I can please make a plea for land training sessions and good attendance, especially Charlie’s strength and conditioning – please do sign up and attend whenever to keep up the training effort (which has been making noticeable gains in our boats on the water). The shed is a highly sought after resource and it’s a real shame to see empty spaces / low attendance for Cygnet sessions.

Those who hope to race in forthcoming events, please review your availability, get signed up to race and get booked in for training to attend weekend sessions so we can get race crews out – Race crews are selected with this in mind so please get signed up so we can get our crews on the water.

Those of you who are due to take steering tests, please get booked in with Charlie as we look to complete sign-offs and get coxes and rowers signed off for steering responsibilities.

4. Barnes Bridge Disruption

Many of you will be aware of the defects discovered in Barnes Railway Bridge, this will be a significant disruption to train travel for the foreseeable and may also result in closures to the arches and navigation re-routing – please keep a good look out for inspection boats in the area and any changes to navigation, including bridge closures. We will endeavour to keep you updated but changes may happen at short notice.

Please also note the series of forthcoming planned Barnes Bridge arch closures in November and December which will impact on navigation There are two NTM’s with dates and times when Barnes Bridge arches will be closed u16of2022.pdf (pla.co.uk) and u17of2022.pdf (pla.co.uk)

5. Recruitment campaign – return to and experienced rowers welcome!

Matt, Henrik and I are pushing forward a recruitment campaign in the local area and via the civil service, specifically targeted at those returning to row and looking for a more balanced approach to training that accommodates busy lives and careers.

If you are thinking of getting back into rowing or know someone who might be interested in joining the squad, please do get in touch.

Very grateful for any and all efforts to spread the word, so please help by spreading the message and if you know a good place for advertising the club and our squad, we will be very pleased to hear it!

6. Christmas is Coming…

Cygnet Veteran’s Annual Christmas lunch at the RAF club is planned for Friday 16^th December. Please Contact Lawrance McVeigh for more details and to sign up.

BBL Christmas Party on Saturday 17^th December at George IV Chiswick. More details to follow in the coming weeks.