Cygnet Weekly Update: Monday 15th Sept 2014

Evening,

Lots of boats out over the weekend, which is always pleasing to see.  Fours, Quads, a couple of new faces, and even a 4+ doing some cheeky training (cheating' for the Rhine Marathon. 

All only slightly marred by the hard being so freakishly slippery that we dinged a boat, and the launch trailer collapsing onto the floor very much in the style of an exhausted Cygnet.  Nothing that can't be fixed however.

Thanks to all those that contributed to the discussion at last week's Squad Meeting - and to those that posted furher feedback by email.  What Coach Sue and I took from the meeting were:

- There's an encouraging level of enthusiasm, spread across our various abilities and experience.

- We've got Pairs and Doubles entered for the Pairs Head, and Scullers interested in the Scullers Head.  Which we'll support.

- We'll continue to focus on enjoying rowing, and building our abilities over the Head season.

- There's also appetite to race competitively at both of the Fours Head races in early November, and the HORR races in late March.  Including at Novice and Masters categories.

- Racing isn't the be-all and end-all of Head season, but the Fours and Eights races in particular are good milestones to aim for.

- The Learn-to-Row recent graduates and current crop mean we should be looking at some Novice boats, including potentially a Nov 8+.

- We may consider entering our more experienced oarsmen in Masters categories, for a change.

- That said, we will aim to have Cygnet represented at both the Fours Head and HORR proper.

- Depending on availability, we'll also look to some of the off-Tideway Heads, including Kingston, Weybridge Silver Sculls, and Henley Head.

Integral to all of the above - both enjoying rowing and being competitive - is the beautiful training plan that Coach Sue has crafted for us.  All those that the meeting have a copy, and we'll make a copy available online - a lot of work has gone into it, and it will yield results.  Can I remind you of the half-dozen 5k pbs set by those who were most closely following the plan last season.  Not a coincidence. 

Active squad members should be looking to make at least two mid-week sessions, which should be the Squad Erg, and circuit training:

- Squad Ergs will hopefully be Tuesday evenings (still to confirm shed-sharing with BBL), and doing them together is the way forward

- Circuits should start on Thursday 25th Sept (just need to confirm that the school hall's available), and you have to do circuits to earn yourself the continuing Thursday night food in the bar afterwards.

This week

Squad Erg: 40min pyramid.  4x (4min r20, 3min r22, 2min r24, 1min r26).  Then put your distance on the spreadsheet.

Thurs: Boat-loading for Sculling Camp, and food in the bar.  With no planned outings, and circuits not starting yet, there is still plenty of opportunity to engage.  2nd Erg of the Week (oh yes, it's on the training plan), or weights, or a run.  Plus helping load the fleet onto the trailer for Sculling Camp.  Followed by food in the bar cooked by Aoife (let her know if you're coming - drudyah@gmail.com)

Sat & Sun: is Sculling Camp, so there won't be fixed outings at the club.  But if you can spare even half a day, popping down to the bungalow on Hamhaugh Island is heartily recommended.

(Note - there will be a working party from the Bungalow Committee down there this Thursday - if you fancied the prospect of an extra day on the river, in exchange for helping wash up crockery etc., that got flooded in the shed).

Further Ahead

Sat 4th Oct - BBLRC are looking for volunteers to help with timing at the Pairs Head - hours required from 11am to 2.30pm.  Please let Zoe know if you can help (zoeguiniven@gmail.com)

Sat 11th Oct - first 5k test of the season.  If you start sticking to the training plan from today, you'll be okay.  Just sayin'.

I think that's all for now.

D