WBC Rowing Section Newsletter - July 2016
Captains’ Log - Jon Martin and Andrew Collett
Welcome to Summer!! It’s been good to see so many of you plying your trade on the river of late. Sorry that this month’s newsletter is a bit late but the team have been a little busy – we could do with another volunteer to help out if any of you budding journalists would like to stand up and be counted!
This month we have a feature on the Women’s Squad – thanks to Sam for taking the initiative on that – hopefully one of the men will do similar for next month! If you would like to write a short piece for a future issue on an interesting rowing related subject then please do – just e-mail it in.
If anyone has any points for inclusion or any (constructive) criticism then please get in touch directly.
Focus on the Women’s Squad – by Sam Wesley
The women's squad have continued to be busy throughout June, we've welcomed a number of new members into the squad including Alice, Holly and Georgia and the water is busy throughout the week with doubles, 4's, singles, and pairs.
We've had success at Peterborough with wins for W IM2 4+ of Claire Hurley, Emma Tod, Emma Raynor, Vicki Rothwell, Cox Tanya Podinovskaia and WIM2 2- of Claire Hurley and Emma Tod. The WIM2 4+ of Lucy Rogers, Hannah Thomas, Gill Benson, Jess Fidler, Cox Sam Wesley achieved a good time in qualification at Henley Women's Regatta and only missed out on qualifying by a few seconds. Helen Helliwell has upped her game at Worcester and Ironbridge regattas, winning a round in novice singles. With limited competition at Masters novice level, it is always an extra challenge to compete at novice level especially when your opposition are half your age.
Racing at the larger events is something many of the women senior squad are keen to do so we are already planning for the next 9 months. In particular we're looking to enter an 8o at the British Rowing Championships, Nottingham Head and a top 100 placing at WEHORR next March. If you are interested in this then the expectation is 3 water sessions a week (this includes your normal crew outings), land training, 2k ergs sub 8.30 (to start with), and good technical skills. Contact Sam for more details.
Also to get more of the squad racing together there will be an 8+ entry at Bewdley, Stourport and Gloucester. These will be aimed at Masters and IM3 so that both improvers and seniors get a chance to race. See the squad Facebook page.
Coming up in September is the Boston Marathon, where Warwick is hoping to enter a Women’s novice coxed quad. They are planning training trips to Nottingham throughout the summer, so if you or your crew are up for the challenge, it’s not too late to start training now.
Learn to Row Course – starting 13th July
Over the next month or so you’re likely to encounter participants in the next Learn to Row course on Wednesday evenings and Saturday mornings. Please make them feel welcome and give them plenty of room if you see them wobbling up and down the river. Remember... it’s not easy being a beginner...
Racing Round-Up – May and June
| 15th May | Nottingham Masters’ & Club Regatta | ||
| Mas A 4+ | P Tonkin, P Hourigan, A Collett, C Bailey. | Cox A Tonkin | |
| 4-5th June | Peterborough Regatta/Sprint (Multi Lane) | ||
| IM2 4+ | P Tonkin, M Hourigan, A Collett, P Hourigan | Cox A Tonkin | |
| WIM2 4+ | C Hurley, E Tod, E Raynor, V Rothwell | Cox T Podinovskaia | |
| WIM2 2- | Claire Hurley & Emma Tod | ||
| 9th June | Stratford Regatta | ||
| MasB/C 1x | Fred Dahlmann | ||
| MasD/E 1x | Chris Skuse | ||
| 25 - 26th June | Ironbridge Regatta | ||
| MasE 1x | Chris Skuse |
The current total of wins for the season stands at 16. On the Victor Ludorum front, the Men’s leader has 5 wins, Women’s 2 wins and Cox’s 5 wins. Keep clocking them up...
Warwick Regatta – 20th August
Hopefully the date is already in everyone’s diary – if not PUT IT IN NOW!!
Warwick Regatta is our annual opportunity to show off our fine Club, and we are well known for hosting a friendly and well run event in one of England’s finest vistas. We may take it for granted, but the sight of Warwick Castle when lining up on the start is one which certainly lives long in our visitors’ memories. Every year we strive hard to make sure that all the visitors will want to make the trip again; we usually manage to make some money and do a bit of racing too...
Our Regatta doesn’t happen without a lot of hard work from everyone in the section - it’s a huge team effort from Friday afternoon right through until Saturday evening. From weeding the river and baking cakes beforehand, to setting up on Friday evening and then a whole host of jobs on the day, we really do need everyone to muck in and do their bit. If you want to race then you should be able to do so, but please remember that the Regatta comes first!
It would really help if everyone would order their T-Shirt from Tanya (tp231@hotmail.com) and let Kate Rider know whether they can attend (kater@riderk.fsnet.co.uk). We are also looking for a couple of responsible volunteers to look after the serving in the Umpires and Sponsors area. Other than that, please check your e-mails and the notice boards regularly over the next few weeks and get stuck in once the jobs start appearing (especially the weeding – little and often is the key!).
Upcoming Races – TAKE NOTE
Entries are now being collected for the following regattas. Don’t leave it until the last minute as everything is closing early this year. Email Kate Rider (kater@riderk.fsnet.co.uk) with entries and transfer your entry and towing fees to the Section bank account (Account no 51185403, Sort Code 40-45-25) putting the event in the reference.
- 23-24th July Bewdley
- 13-14th August Stourport
Rhein Marathon 1/10/16 – Gill Benson gillianabenson@gmail.com
As some will remember, last year WBC hosted a visiting crew from Düsseldorf when they came to take part in the Boston Marathon. In return a group from WBC visited Düsseldorf to take part in the Rhein Marathon. A great friendship was formed and members of the women’s section are taking on the challenge for a second year. For anyone interested in the event but without a crew the Düsseldorf rowing club may be able to help by making composite crews. For any further information contact Gill.
Social Schedule – Andrew Wheeler rowsoco@warickboatclub.co.uk
- Mix- In/ BBQ - Following the Mix-In Session’s on Wednesday evenings there will be a BBQ every other week from 19:30 (next one on 13/7). £5 per head.
- Post-Warwick-Regatta do – this year will be a mass takeaway, details to follow.
- Annual Dinner – Friday 28th October 19:30
Your Club Needs You
Could you spare a few hours on a one-off or regular basis to help run the Rowing Section? Although we have a dedicated team of volunteers do a great job of keeping the place running, we could always use more help. Anything from mending boats, to maintaining the facilities, to helping with fund-raising and the flourishing junior squad. Our volunteers really do make the Rowing Section what it is - if you could spare some time to help then please do get in touch with Jon M or Andy C. Thanks!
Useful Information and Contact Details
Regular river sessions:
- Tuesday 18:00 Side by Side
- Thursday 19:30 Side by Side
- Saturday 09:30 Club Coaching
- Sunday 08:00 Nose to Tail
- Sunday 17:00 Jon and Jonny’s sculling session (check the Facebook group)
- Sunday 18:30 Jon and Jonny’s sweep session (check the Facebook group)
If you feel like being creative then please send any items for the next newsletter to Heather Yates (heatherjaneyates@gmail.com). Heather would also be pleased to receive any post regatta write-ups, pictures etc which she can publish on the Club website and send on to the press.
| Andrew Collett | Jon Martin |
|
Rowing Captain 07584 667433 |
Captain of Boats 07831 318997 |
Last updated on by James Alty