Captain's Log: Issue 16

Hello Cygnets, this is your Captain speaking

I’m very pleased to report back on a really positive climax to our Heads season campaign and reaching the end of our long winter training regime.

This weekend was a really positive weekend of racing and hosting and the spring weather capped it off nicely, beckoning towards our summer season and regatta campaign. The weather these last couple of days, a reminder we’re not there yet!

I want to offer huge thanks to everyone who has been involved in a very busy schedule of races this season, on land and on water doing our bit to support the club and wider rowing community, ultimately enabling these races to run. To the boating coordinators, the traffic marshals, the launch drivers and race marshals, the boating teams, the numbers desk and all other helpers who have been involved: thank you. Many of you have put in hours of effort and a lot of support above and beyond to make the races a success and our visiting crews safe and welcome - from which we’ve had much positive feedback. Thanks to you all for the contributions you’ve made and making us such a popular boathouse for hosting and an excellent fundraiser for the clubs too.

Training

Squad training will be out of its regular rhythm as we prepare to shift gear for the summer season and a mini-break after the end of Heads.

Uncoached squad outings at the regular time this weekend with signed off steers in the driving seats for those who are around. Strength & conditioning training with Charlie resumes Monday 4^th April.

HORR / VETS HEAD RACE REPORT

Great to see Cygnet well represented in both the Head of the River and Veterans Head this weekend, whilst the weather might not have lasted, the Cygnet effort did. Well done to both crews who battled hard and put the many outings and training throughout the winter to good use, keeping up the effort all the way to Putney. You’ll find some highlights from the weekend on the club facebook and Instagram accounts.

HoRR

In the HoRR event, Cygnet crew 226 paced well with Cox Megan building the crew off a strong start and the best row from the Post through Barnes Bridge and down to Chiswick Steps we’ve seen this season. The crew built well on the performance of Hammersmith and Quintin Heads. The middle third was buffeted hard by squally gusts but the crew battled on and importantly really committed to the race plan and stepped it up to max effort from Hammersmith Bridge and pushed on hard to Putney, keeping the pressure on and technique in check. We finished the course in 22:24 and an overall placing of 244, a good showing and strong improvement on our last HoRR run out in 2019.

Shoutouts go to the Cox for keeping us honest and keeping us measured, pressing us hard when we needed it most. Likewise a standout performance from Octavian, stepping into the crew and delivering in his first Championship Course race - stellar performance and big achievement in your first season after graduating the Learn to Row.

Vets

Whilst the weather for Veterans Head may have disappointed, crew 47 did not and once again we saw a strong performance from our Masters crew, doing us proud. Again building on the successes of the shorter courses, guided by Cox Laurent the crew took the Championship Course in 22:51 finishing 113 overall and 23^rd in Masters E.

A shoutout too goes to the cameo performance of Deputy Captain Martin Drage, rowing in X-PRESS Boat Club colours in crew 10 and to our visiting friends from Benrath for their strong performances and excellent company in the Boathouse this weekend.

That rounds off a really good season of long distance racing on the tideway, we’ve been well represented and visible in every tideway race and with consistent crews making some really good in roads in some of local rivals and tideway competition. My thanks once again all our supporters, coxes and coaches who have made it such a positive and enjoyable season. Congratulations to all who have raced this winter.

SUMMER SEASON

Tuesday (5^th April) evening, the squad kicks off the summer planning with a get together at the boathouse with some food and an opportunity to discuss our summer season plans and our approach to regatta training and racing. Please do join to find out more about the summer training plan and racing schedule for the squad and to catch up with the Captaincy and Coach on the season so far.

Then it’s off to training camp from 6 - 10 April, a number of us will be heading up to Reading RC for some calmer water and a change of scene with a chance for some pre-season training to get sprint racing off to a good start. There will be no regular squad outings Sat 9 / Sun 10 April.

BOAT RACE

A reminder that that other race is on this coming weekend. The University Boatrace returns to the Tideway again this Sunday. The bar will be open from 1300 and a BYO BBQ will be in operation, so join the crowds, bring a sausage or two and cheer on your favourite Blues. Contact Social Secretary Megan for more info.

CENTENARY BALL 24^th September

A reminder of dates for your diary that we have the BBL / CYG centenary ball on 24 September- a bock tie affair promising to be a great occasion after a couple of years of limited socialising. We are looking forward to rowers and friends past and present joining us at the Richmond Hill Hotel. More info here.

Happy Birthday BBL

Final word goes to our good friends next door at BBLRC, who celebrated their 100th birthday this Monday. A remarkable achievement and very special occasion and we send our warmest birthday wishes to all our friends at Barnes Bridge Ladies.

Rupert