July News Round-up

Club news and events for the second quarter of 2023 – photos below.

Training and Racing
Training and racing is in full swing but with a fairly small squad to draw from, we've been more selective about the regattas we're been attending this season. Fewer races than in previous years but we're still still very much enjoying representing Cygnet out there in the heat of battle. No pewter yet but who knows what will occur at HT&V.

New coach required
We were very sad to see our coach Beth standing down this season and we thank her for all her hard work over the past couple of years. So if you know of anyone, we're on the lookout for a new coach. Details here

CSSC
We welcomed back Head of the CSSC, Matt Bazeley, back to the boathouse recently. After being put through his paces on the erg, he then got to experience the full glory of the Tideway on the middle of an eight. Maybe back for more soon Matt?

And on the subject of the CSSC, we are joining @CSSC_Official at a series of departmental sports days as part of our summer roadshow to let civil servants know about their rowing club!  The first session was on Friday 16th June with more to follow throughout July. We hope be saying hello to some prospective new #civilservice members with a spicy erg sprints competition!

Henley Royal Regatta at Old Blades
Members of both Cygnet and BBLRC were once again invited into the most exclusive Henley enclosure, namely the garden at Old Blades during Henley Royal Regatta Friday on 30th June. We are, as always, very grateful to our hostesses Pat and Pru Sly for their very generous invitation and hospitality. 

The gathering also gave us an opportunity for the new Chairman, Charlie Pretzlik to present his predecessor Nick Wylie, with a little Thank You for his 21 years as Chairman. If you're not already aware, Nick has also been 'elevated' to the exalted, honorary position of President of Cygnet RC and it was rather fitting that we were able to welcome the new President on the old President's lawn. Doubtless Peter would have had something to say about that! Hats were Peter's thing and it was a hat that Nick was presented with – a custom made, traditional wool rowing cap, emblazoned with his initials and the club crest to be precise.

And taking of Henley...

The squad wrapped up its summer racing campaign with an exciting day out in Henley for the Town & Visitors Regatta for our coxed four, quad and eight, who were all in action. Special thanks to our trailering team of Jo Broadhurst & Henrik Jonstromer for towing our boats safely out and back.

Against our old friends of the RAF (who pressed on for a convincing victory) and Poole Amateur RC Cygnet was in a real tussle right up to the line for second place, coming up short by just a canvas.

Meanwhile the quad came second of three (easily) against Curlew and Falcon rowing clubs in an all avian final, another strong showing by the Cygnet crew against a much stronger Curlew.

Highlight of the day goes to the racing eight with a real tussle down the course up against Linacre College Boat Club who got off to a strong start but the resurgent Cygnet viii just ran out of river in the final battle to the line of which topped off some exciting side by side action. The verdict on the line was 1 length - all agreed “it was much closer than that”.

Special mention and congratulations to Chris Jageurs racing in Vesta colours for a triumphant race in the Open Doubles to beat Oxford Academicals and Falcon RC.

8+ Noel Davison
Cox Clara Fennessy, 8 Henrik Jonstromer, 7 Dom Marshall, 6 Matthew Gutteridge, 5 Tom Clarke, 4 Rupert Bailey, 3 Octavian Puzderca, 2 Tom Broadhurst, 1 Mustafa Özyurt

4x Quad: Big Malc / Collier
4 Henrik Jonstromer, 3 Octavian Puzderca, 2 Tom Broadhurst, 1 Mustafa Özyurt

4+ Neil Pickford
Cox Clara Fennessy, 4 Matthew Gutteridge, 3 Dom Marshall, 2 Rupert Bailey, 1 Tom Clarke