I'm struggling for inspiration this week - from the perspective of competition it's been a bleak couple of weeks - our own Long Distance Head was cancelled due to horrendous winds giving rise to half metre breaking waves on Pilot straight and cross winds capable of taking the blade from your hand on non-aligned stretches. This was followed by cancellation of Stourport due to flooding, and finally the fours head was abandoned, again due to high winds - 30 to 55 mph! Anyone familiar with the Tideway will know what that means when the wind is from the SW. Silver lining in the cloud was the veteran fours head the next day - sunshine, moderate tail winds and calm, but fast water. Ho hum ....
As I write the Boston trials in ten days have been cancelled, but we're hopeful that Hampton and the scullers head will go ahead.
On the home front, the Rowing Committee finally met and a list of shiny new goodies was agreed, (well maybe not finally ...) The main and most important point that came up was a proposed change of training times for the Junior Squad - still on weekend mornings, but with some variations to cater for the different training levels required. I shall let Paul Crumpton communicate the details - the timing changes will be trialled for a few weeks to see how they work - be patient and be prepared to offer feedback to the Junior Committee.
The second Icicle Head will be run this Sunday - Robert Dibley will be confirming the arrangements on Saturday.
Land training has kicked off on Wednesdays - Tim has organised circuit training at Beaufort School, from 7 to 8pm.
The Royal Agricultural College Rowing Club has restarted on a Wednesday afternoon at the club, and we welcome their return.
Other less frequent visitors - University of Worcester Rowing Club held their annual camp, based at GRC and Wycliffe over last weekend. There is inevitably some disruption, but the club makes good money out of these camps and it increases our profile in the wider rowing world, as well as providing an invaluable training experience for these relative newcomers to the sport. We also hosted a camp from Bristol University through the efforts of ex-GRC member Ian Townsend, during the weekend of the LDH.
There is a Committee meeting on Monday evening. If you would like anything raised, please talk to your squad vice or coordinator, or indeed to any member of the committee.
Roll on light winds and clear days, (did I hear anyone mention ice?).
Russell Thornton 18th November 2009
As I write the Boston trials in ten days have been cancelled, but we're hopeful that Hampton and the scullers head will go ahead.
On the home front, the Rowing Committee finally met and a list of shiny new goodies was agreed, (well maybe not finally ...) The main and most important point that came up was a proposed change of training times for the Junior Squad - still on weekend mornings, but with some variations to cater for the different training levels required. I shall let Paul Crumpton communicate the details - the timing changes will be trialled for a few weeks to see how they work - be patient and be prepared to offer feedback to the Junior Committee.
The second Icicle Head will be run this Sunday - Robert Dibley will be confirming the arrangements on Saturday.
Land training has kicked off on Wednesdays - Tim has organised circuit training at Beaufort School, from 7 to 8pm.
The Royal Agricultural College Rowing Club has restarted on a Wednesday afternoon at the club, and we welcome their return.
Other less frequent visitors - University of Worcester Rowing Club held their annual camp, based at GRC and Wycliffe over last weekend. There is inevitably some disruption, but the club makes good money out of these camps and it increases our profile in the wider rowing world, as well as providing an invaluable training experience for these relative newcomers to the sport. We also hosted a camp from Bristol University through the efforts of ex-GRC member Ian Townsend, during the weekend of the LDH.
There is a Committee meeting on Monday evening. If you would like anything raised, please talk to your squad vice or coordinator, or indeed to any member of the committee.
Roll on light winds and clear days, (did I hear anyone mention ice?).
Russell Thornton 18th November 2009