Cygnet Weekly Update: Mon 25th August 2014

Right,

Am back in civilisation after a couple of weeks in Cornwall - so this will be short and sweet.

The regatta season has now ended for Cygnet, and we've now entered a slightly quieter period on the rowing front.  But the first head races are around the corner (see below).  Please, please, use this time to maintain your core fitness, erg, run, cycle.  I.e. whatever you do, do not end up on the finish line of an Autumn or Winter head race thinking "if only I'd kept a bit more of my summer fitness in the bank..."

For the next couple of weeks outings will continue, but will be in boats either organised by the crew, or show-and-row.  8am Saturdays and Sundays.  Mid-week outings to be organised by crews, but note that earlier starts will be needed and/or lights on boats.

We will have a Squad Meeting shortly - date tbc.  It will be a chance to discuss the season ahead, ambitions, and how to get there, with clubmates, captaincy, and coaches.

The end of the season does bring with it two welcome social events this weekend however:

- Friday evening is the End of Season dinner at the Coach & Horses, Barnes.  You should have given your details over to Stu already if you're up for dinner - if you're not up for dinner but up for a beer or two, do drop in - we'll be in the room at the back, all are welcome.

- Sunday noon is the Cygnet/ BBLRC Club Day.  Messing around in boats.  All welcome including newer novices  (and families) to come along to what is always fun and informal and involves members of all abilities from both clubs jumping into mixed scratch boats.  (Essentially what St Neots was like, before other bigger clubs starting spoiling our fun).

Further ahead

- Sculling Camp is on 20/21 September.  More to follow from Nick on this, but all are welcome to learn to scull/ hone sculling skills/ watch from the bank whilst discussing past sculling exploits.

- Pairs Head is on Saturday 4th Oct.  So far we have two crews up for it: Bart & Gav's 2-, and an intergenerational 2x of Guy & Guy Jr.  So there are boats available if you're interested, and we'd like to have as many entries as possible.  I'd encourage anyone to consider it - it requires some reasonably competent steering, full pressure rowing for 15minutes, and (ideally) some training.  There are also mixed categories available.  Let me/ Sue know, or if you want to discuss.

Finally, on safety, I was going to draw everyone's attention to the current BLACK flag status on the tideway, due to low fluvial flows.  However, given the biblical amounts of Bank Holiday rain we've been enjoying, it may end up jumping straight to RED...  which is why doing a sensible risk assessment every time you go out is the only way to go.

Goodnight all.

D