2025/26 Head Season round-up

A brief round-up from the Head season along with some other news.

No entires into Scullers Head this season and none in Pairs Head either (which was cancelled due to conditions anyway) the latter probably due to the fact that so many Cygnets were in Germany for the Rhine Marathon instead. The race took place on 4th October and the weekend was the last of our 60th Anniversary celebrations. 14 Cygnets racing on the Rhine with a further contingent of 8 supporters along for the craic. The weather wasn't very hospitable in Germany either but Benrath more than made up for that. Full report in the link above.

26th October, Upper Thames Autumn Head 26/10/25
4x, Will, Mickey, Tom C, Matt G (4th/5)
2x, Will, Matt G (8th/10)
2-,  Benjy, Jordan (6th/6)
4-, Benjy, Tom C, Mickey, Jordan (2nd/4)
4x, Chris P (PTRC), Tom B, Ryoji, Mustafa (Mas D) (3rd/3)
Really good day out in Henley, 3km against the stream, a nice change from the Tideway head races and some really good showings against some strong oppositions. Will definitely be looking to go back next year, very well organised event and a good stretch of the river.

15th November Fours Head
4+ – Clara (cox), Benjy, Jordan, Mickey, Will.
27th /36 in our category, a very solid and mature row and the result doesn't reflect how we felt coming off the water.
4x – Matt G, Ryoji, Octavian, Mustafa 32nd/32
Tough conditions for a scratch crew.

16th November, Veteran Fours Head
4- composite (with Guildford), Richard W, Michael S, Brad B and Iain G.
4th/4 in Masters F 4- in vey choppy conditions

Plum puds
Sadly invitations were restricted to just Quintin and MAA this year but the organisers hope to be able to expand the race out to include other local clubs in December 2026

Alas Quintin Head in January was cancelled due to the river being red flagged.

28th February, Hammersmith Head 
Sarah (cox,BBL), Benjy, Ryoji, Will, Zak, Charles, Matt G, Mickey, Martin
293rd over all and 11th  in the division.

28th March, HORR
Eleanor (Cox, BBL), Benjy, Ryoji, Zak, Mickey, Will, Matt G, Charles, Sam
312th overall and 14th in the small club. Importantly though, as the crew passed the club they were overtaking the crew in front!

29th March, Vets head
Martin, Nathan, Tom B, Mustafa
6^th in the OP D 4x–

4th April, University Boat Races
Large crowds lined the Tideway as always, which is great for us and the Boathouse Exec's funds were greatly increased through the sale of refreshments for that crowd. We also received a very nice letter from the Police Inspector in charge of the Barnes Bridge section, thanking us for our hospitality and help during the event.

Oardinary crew
Four Civil Servants. Their mission: To win the World’s Toughest Row and prove that ordinary people can do extraordinary things. And Cygnet RC are proud to be assisting them as they progress with this project, starting with a training session which took place at the club on 7th March

New boat
Our new Filippi coxed IV has arrived at the boathouse and very splendid it looks too. A naming ceremony is planned for Saturday 23rd May but in the meantime here is a sneak preview as she was being unwrapped.

18th/19th April, Bungalow Working party
Much work and many improvements were reported to the Management committee meeting on 19th April. For all their efforts over the weekend, grateful thanks were recorded to the following members – Alan, Martin, Matt, Raf, Mustafa, Jordan, Charles, Nick and Ross.

In memorandum
Cygnet were very sad to have to report the deaths of Colin Dominy in January and John Simpkins in March. Full obituaries can be found via the links