Captains Yule Log

Dear Cygnets, far and wide

With Christmas Eve upon us, I write to wish each and every one of you a happy and peaceful Christmas, wherever you are celebrating.

In many respects it has been a momentous and turbulent year - Cygnet has seen a few of those since 1890 - but just as Father Thames continues to rise and ebb, so Cygnet continues to row. Returning from a disrupted couple of pandemic years, to continue to have been afloat, modest training, regular racing and occasional silverware are all achievements in their own right!

My fondest memory of the Cygnet year, has to have been seeing so many of you, the Cygnet family, back together again, reunited for the Centenary Ball, sharing so many happy memories and cups of good cheer to the Cygnet name.

I’m hugely grateful to all who have helped us this year and for the tremendous support from the many of you who keep the club going and our efforts afloat. Thank you too to the hardy squad, continuing to train and keeping the Cygnet name on race cards near and far. And to our hard working coaches on land and on water for keeping us honest with encouragement and challenge. Thank you for all your efforts and achievements.

This Christmas, we again joined Barnes Bridge for the Christmas Ball and our veterans put forward their best efforts in the Quintin Plum Puds.

And recently I have also pleased to welcome a select few new members who have joined in recent weeks, with whom I’m looking forward to getting afloat more in the new year.

Twixtmas Training

For those wishing to keep up some training amongst the festive cheer, our land coach Charlie has set a Christmas special programme to do from home/garage/garden – alongside runs/rides/ergs of choice to keep active between helpings and board games.

Looking ahead

2023 is full of promise with Quintin Head just around the corner (29th Jan) and Hammersmith and HoRR hot on its tail before the days lengthen and we’re back to summer training. The year ahead has much to offer as we aim to build our base and boost our numbers to take Cygnet forward.

Full Squad training resumes Sat 7th January on the water & Weds 11th for coached weights with Charlie in the shed. New Years Eve show and row for those local will be available.

Calling all (ex)Masters Rowers

In need of a New Year’s resolution? Tempted by a reunion? Fancy the occasion paddle? I’m looking to see if I can tempt any of you and our alumni for the occasional row, a chance to drop by the boathouse. reconnect and get a float again once in while.

Interested? Drop the Captain a line and let’s see what we can manage for an occasional Masters row on the tideway in 2023.

Recruitment

We are particularly looking for experienced rowers, those looking for a change of scene, rowing somewhere new or rekindling the rowing flame: more details here.  Please pass on the good word!

That’s all for now, and I shall end how I started with warmest festive wishes to you and yours this Christmas time and throughout the year ahead.

Merry Christmas Cygnet, and Happy Rowing.

Rupert