Cygnet Weekly Update: Monday 16th Feb 2015

Good Evening,

A week that involved boozy social celebrations, rowing training and racing - which is appropriate for our 125th birthday.

A strong turnout on Thursday night in the Duke's Head (no availability issues there!) - including some nostalgic faces. Many, many toasts made to the club, and a fun time had by all.

On Saturday, we headed to Henley 4s & 8s Head. We had three crews racing over two divisions, in what was an enjoyable, well-organised, and muddy event. Results:

- in the mixed 4xs, our Love Boat #1 (Mountain Gibbons) came in 3rd out of 5.

- Love Boat #2 (Captains' Invitational) came in 4th, some 25 seconds later. (Thus proving that pre-race training outings are a waste of time...)

- In the afternoon, our IM2 8+ - drawn from across the Seniors and Novices - came 33rd, and got more valuable race experience.

All in all, a nice spot for a friendly head race. Thanks in particular to Sue for trailering and coxing, and Matt for supporting and photographing - both of whom also hung around for unloading the trailer back at the club. Unfortunately we didn't have enough bodies back at the boathouse to re-rig... see below.

This week

Tues - Squad Erg Night (for those not outing). 50min "staircases" (5x 4min r20, 3min r22, 2min r24, 1min r26)

For all those down to either erg or go out on the water, please lend a hand for 15mins at 7.00pm to help re-rig the 8+.

Wed am - a regular weekday morning outing for those who are keen is establishing itself. This is informal and self-organising, in singles and small boats, but if you are interested let me know.

Thurs - circuits: meet at 7.00 at the club or 7.15 at the school. There are now just half a dozen sessions between now and the HORR weekend, and if you get to all of them it will make all the difference.

Thurs - after circuits, Jo Broadhurst is cooking, please let her know if you're staying on.

Sat & Sun - morning outings, crew lists to follow.

Further Ahead

Learn to cox (please). The Ladies are holding a coxing course this Sunday, 22nd Feb, 9.30am, and it would be great to have as many Cygnets as possible able to take a turn in the coxes seat. As you know, we sometimes struggle to get outings due to lack of coxes - and as you probably also know, you are never too heavy to sit in the cox's seat at Cygnet! The course will be a useful introduction/ refresher on water safety, navigating the tideway, and how to steer boats.

Capsize drill - planned for Sat 28th Feb, 4pm, St Paul's School. I don't need to emphasise the importance of this for everyone. It's only a couple of hours on a Saturday afternoon that may one day make all the difference. Plus we'll try and co-ordinate some sort of food afterwards. tbc.

Hammersmith Head - Sun 1st March. Our last stepping stone to the HORR weekend - if you want to be considered for a crew for HORR please do everything you can to be available for this one. And of course update your availability and see you at ergs and circuits...

Women's Head of the River Race - Sat 14th March - you'll have seen Nick B's call for boating volunteers, do please spare an hour or so if you can.

Vets Head of the River Race - Sat 28th March

Head of the River Race - Sun 29th March

Crews are by no means decided for these races. We will also consider wider options to get as many of us a race as possible, e.g. in a composite crew.so keep making yourself as available as you can.

That's all for now.

D