Captain's Log: 05 October 22

Hello Cygnets, this is your Captain speaking!

We survived the Rhine!

In what were some of the worst conditions in living memory our three crews fought hard against the water, weather and each other to complete the 42km challenge. Coxed by our Benrath friends Mucha, Tichel and Kett, we counted the boats out and counted them back in again.

It was a hard fought competition and a close margin across the three crews when the final times came in, but experience was triumphant on this occasion and the plaudits go to the Chairman’s Veteran Quad (2:48:39), followed closely by our Senior Mens Four (2:49:06), ahead of the CYG / BBL composite who completed the course in 2:52:28. Congratulations to Wylie, Martin, Tom, Neil and Mucha in victorious form as top of the boats!

Huge credit to all our crews and racers, it takes real stamina, determination and character to get those boats over the line and an extra dose of grit was required in the last 10km this year! Particular shout out to our novice racers Matt G, Mustafa, Anna and Samantha for taking on the challenge this time out, the jury is still out on whether it’s an adventure to be repeated- but we wish glutes and blisters a swift recovery!

Huge thanks of course to our good friends and hosts at RG Benrath who blessed us with warmest hospitality and looked after us splendidly all weekend, keeping the Alt Bier topped up and an enjoyable Erdedankefest to boot. We look forward to welcoming them back to the Tideway for Head of the River in March.

Pairs Head
The Tideway was also in racing strip this weekend and congratulations to Iain and Brad for completing Pairs Head and racing well in Cygnet colours completing the course in 17:35.90.

Thanks to those who helped out on the day and were able to lend a hand. Please mark 19–20 Nov in your calendars for Fours / Vets Fours where we really will need all hands on deck for hosting our visiting crews: not just a nice to have so the races can run but an essential source of funding for the clubs which we cannot do without help.

Training & Race Availability
We’re well into Heads Season training now so for the Squad now is the time to make the gains on land as well as on the water. Please keep the shed well populated and training up Mon - Weds - Thurs as per the updated training plan on fitclub. We have no self-rowing ergs and the weights don’t lift themselves!

Please look ahead to the next races:
Upper Thames Head 30th Oct and (V) Fours Head of the River. Entries are already opening and filling fast so get your race and training availability up to date through to the end of November please.

A reminder too that your BR Race license must be valid for the race day in order to be eligible for racing - this is the rowers responsibility to check and update on British Rowing.

Committee Vacancies

We are still looking to fill two crucial vacancies on the Cygnet Committee - Secretary and Social Secretary, please get in touch if you think you might be interested and able to help with the running of the club and our social scene. Two pivotal roles that help keep the club running in some form or other: Volunteers urgently needed. Please get in touch.

Racing Calendar

2022

• 30th October: Upper Thames Autumn Head – Henley
• 19th November: Fours Head – Tideway
• 20th November: Vets Fours Head – Tideway

2023

• 29th January: Quintin Head – Tideway
• 26th February: Hammersmith Head – Tideway
• 18th March: Eights Head of the River (HORR) – Tideway
• 19th March: Vets Eights Head of the River – Tideway

Off-Season: Monday 20th March – Monday 10th April