Firstly, congratulations to Kalan-Mai and her crew on coming second in the home countries coxless fours.
This is the less serious part of the rowing calendar; nevertheless there is activity and development on a number of fronts.
A high-class mixed eight is being carefully stitched together by Tim, and was seen out on the water last week, showing a degree of determination and technical progression. We expect great things from this crew during August.
We have a number of visitors from Baltimore out on the canal - be nice to them and make allowances - but not too many - they're used to driving on the wrong side.
Caroline and Lyndsey from the beginners ventured out in a double last week in fairly difficult conditions, demonstrating good technique and an ability to negotiate bridges and bushes without mishap. Caroline finished off the session with her first 5K - could be the first of the season. I won't embarrass the rest of you with her time!
Ben repaired Gauntlet so Graham is back in business, but not before Dan had ventured out in it and managed to capsize. Is this a record? he progresses to a virus next week!
The juniors are off for the rest of the summer - we look forward to their return in September. (Notwithstanding the junior camp the week before the regatta).
There are a few places left on the coaching course. contact me this weekend if you want to enrol.
Keep enjoying the summer - winter will be here before you know it!
Finally, congratulations to Sam on becoming a senior.
Russell Thornton
30th July 2009
This is the less serious part of the rowing calendar; nevertheless there is activity and development on a number of fronts.
A high-class mixed eight is being carefully stitched together by Tim, and was seen out on the water last week, showing a degree of determination and technical progression. We expect great things from this crew during August.
We have a number of visitors from Baltimore out on the canal - be nice to them and make allowances - but not too many - they're used to driving on the wrong side.
Caroline and Lyndsey from the beginners ventured out in a double last week in fairly difficult conditions, demonstrating good technique and an ability to negotiate bridges and bushes without mishap. Caroline finished off the session with her first 5K - could be the first of the season. I won't embarrass the rest of you with her time!
Ben repaired Gauntlet so Graham is back in business, but not before Dan had ventured out in it and managed to capsize. Is this a record? he progresses to a virus next week!
The juniors are off for the rest of the summer - we look forward to their return in September. (Notwithstanding the junior camp the week before the regatta).
There are a few places left on the coaching course. contact me this weekend if you want to enrol.
Keep enjoying the summer - winter will be here before you know it!
Finally, congratulations to Sam on becoming a senior.
Russell Thornton
30th July 2009
Writing this from Aberdeen today. Interesting rowing club here - ABC. A tidy boat house on the banks of the tidal Dee. Rowing is limited by the last bridge before the harbour downstream, and by the height of the tide upstream. Rowing is not permitted within two hours of low tide, and the distance you can go upstream is determined by the number of granite blocks exposed on the arches of the railway bridge. Boats must be off the water by the time the bar shuts at 11 pm!
Following on - Aberdeen was the only crew to beat the Gloucester-Stratford composite four at Nat Champs at the weekend. They won Gold and Silver and will be representing England in the home countries - congratulations to Kalan-Mai and the rest of her crew. Well done to the other crews competing from Gloucester in very challenging conditions favouring the heavier crews.
Juniors are winding down for the summer now. We had hoped to run a summer rowing course, but this has not proven possible. We will however be running the summer camp in the week before the regatta. Talking of which we have one month to prepare for this, and Jonathan Garner will be issuing lists of jobs in the near future.
Following on - Aberdeen was the only crew to beat the Gloucester-Stratford composite four at Nat Champs at the weekend. They won Gold and Silver and will be representing England in the home countries - congratulations to Kalan-Mai and the rest of her crew. Well done to the other crews competing from Gloucester in very challenging conditions favouring the heavier crews.
Juniors are winding down for the summer now. We had hoped to run a summer rowing course, but this has not proven possible. We will however be running the summer camp in the week before the regatta. Talking of which we have one month to prepare for this, and Jonathan Garner will be issuing lists of jobs in the near future.
As I write this sitting in a quiet, (apart from the piped music) pub garden on the edge of the River Wey, it's hard to contrast with the frenetic weekend just past.
There was a massive entry from the junior squad to Llandaff International, on Saturday and Sunday, Henley Vets Friday and Saturday, and then the vets and women's squad descended on Llandaff for the Sunday.
There were some serious wins at Llandaff on the Saturday - Ben and Neil particularly attracting attention in their double at J16 and IM3. James and Rory also won at J14. At Henley the Vets staggered through four rounds of the D 4-, meeting their nemesis in the form of Wallbrook in the final on Saturday.
Saturday night at Llandaff saw Gloucester juniors taking over the disco, wind and rain, and then a tree falling across the campsite at 1 am. Commiserations to the owner of the car, but fortunately no one was hurt.
More wins for juniors and vets on Sunday, and the women's 4+ scored, winning their final in fine form.
In general the weekend went very well - there was a big effort from the juniors themselves and from those parents who attended. In particular I'd like to thank Tracy and Kevin Marshal, (who towed the trailer), Clive who spent most of his time carrying boats, Jane who largely organised the weekend, and all those who ensured that the catering and accommodation were successful. Mention should also go to Laura Pobjoy and Jonathan Garner who put together crews and entries.
There was a massive entry from the junior squad to Llandaff International, on Saturday and Sunday, Henley Vets Friday and Saturday, and then the vets and women's squad descended on Llandaff for the Sunday.
There were some serious wins at Llandaff on the Saturday - Ben and Neil particularly attracting attention in their double at J16 and IM3. James and Rory also won at J14. At Henley the Vets staggered through four rounds of the D 4-, meeting their nemesis in the form of Wallbrook in the final on Saturday.
Saturday night at Llandaff saw Gloucester juniors taking over the disco, wind and rain, and then a tree falling across the campsite at 1 am. Commiserations to the owner of the car, but fortunately no one was hurt.
More wins for juniors and vets on Sunday, and the women's 4+ scored, winning their final in fine form.
In general the weekend went very well - there was a big effort from the juniors themselves and from those parents who attended. In particular I'd like to thank Tracy and Kevin Marshal, (who towed the trailer), Clive who spent most of his time carrying boats, Jane who largely organised the weekend, and all those who ensured that the catering and accommodation were successful. Mention should also go to Laura Pobjoy and Jonathan Garner who put together crews and entries.
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Ben Rodford has been busy mending boats - he does this in his own time, and we can show our gratitude by taking care not to bust anymore boats.
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Jane and Patrick are attempting to organise a summer rowing course for those wanting to hone their skills for the end of summer regattas. We'll have more news on this shortly.
Nat Champs this coming weekend - good luck to seniors and juniors entering. For my part I'm looking forward to a weekend off!
Russell Thornton
14th July 2009
Congratulations to Beth Rodford on her win on Sunday in the Princess Grace - in Gloucester colours too!
Will there be the same level of support for the old men going to Henley vets?
Llandaff international this weekend - good luck to all the rowers heading over the bridge for this one.
The rate of attrition of the Gloucester fleet is reaching crisis proportions. Unless Ben gets some help with mending boats, or we stop breaking them we'll all be reduced to racing viruses by November. No particular group responsible for this - damage seems to be evenly shared between juniors, women and men's squads. Please take care on the water!
There's a Level II coaching course being held at the club in August, and there are currently four more places available - let me know if you're interested.
Russell Thornton
Labels: 6th July 2009