Category: Captain’s Log

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Captain’s Update – 8th September

What a weekend!

Firstly congratulations to Lucy Fry who got married on Saturday!  What a beautiful bride……
On Sunday the Boathouse was buzzing with acitivity!  We had Novice and Intermediate Outings on a misty river, an Open Morning for the new GFAR course which started on Monday (16 women and 11 men!), and a very productive Boat fix day.  Thank you to everybody who pitched in, particularly to Sian who has been working tirelessly to set up the GFAR course, and to Mark who stayed for hours replacing gates, checking pitches and adjusting rigging.  Best of all we had sunshine, and many went on to have lunch at the Sun Inn (where else).
So – (here we go again) – all of this activity means a lot more work; if we are going to recruit new members from the GFAR course we need to show them a good time.  We have 3 groups to manage, and we need friendly people to help them through their paces. If you are able to help out with circuit training or an erg/tank session pease let Sian know
And – (there is more) – we have a large (and enthusiastic) Novice Squad, and an even larger Intermediate Squad – and to manage outings we need coxes.  If any of you fancy coming down once in a while to cox, or to sit a boat full of nervous new rowers, please let me know. There is always post outing cake on offer!
Pairs Head is fast approaching.  We have 6 BBL crews going head to head (bow to stern), we have a new Filippi double being delivered just in time (currently at the World Champs), and we need (yet more) volunteers.  First request is for experienced launch drivers – please let Sue Cole know if you can help out
Finally – thank you to all of you who came to the New Season Meeting last Thursday.  It was a fantastic turnout, and we covered a lot of useful things (notes attached).  Mark introduced himself, and spoke about his goals for BBL, then took us through some core weight training in the shed.
And one more thing (oh no) – thanks to Ali Elliott the Club makes about £800 a year selling boat lights.  Is there anyone out there (who works in a post office?) who could take on the simple task of packing and posting these lights?
That’s quite enough for now – volunteer overload.
Jo
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Captain’s Update – 1st September

After the excitement that was Club Day 2015, things have been a little quieter this week.

On Saturday the Sarah Powell had her christening voyage with a merry crew made up of old friends from far and wide! Dave G coxed, with Sue Cole at stroke, Jenny Adams, MT Maroske, Laura Fitzgibbon, Sarah Caffrey, Katie Mountain, Sarah Powell, and Catherine O’Leary.   Went like a dream I’m told!

On Sunday we had our first session with Mark, new Head Coach to Pink House and back, with excellent coaching and video footage to share over coffee (and cake).  He will be doing an introductory weights session in the shed this Thursday after the New Season Meeting.
Emanuel School are going to have our old launch on permanent loan, allowing us to use it whenever we need it.  It will be stored in their boathouse.  This will ease the congestion in the our Boathouse, and will cheer up quite a few (increasingly grumpy) scullers!
The GFAR course starting on September 7th is filling up nicely – our Novice Squad (already an exceptionally enthusiastic bunch) will soon be twice as big!  Many of them will be coming down in the morning on Sunday 6th to take a look around and meet us.
Sunday 6th is also Boat Fix Day, followed by pub lunch at the Sun Inn in Barnes – come along if you’re free.
Lastly a reminder that our New Season Meeting is this Thursday at 7.00 and I hope to see many of you there.
Jo
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Captain’s Update – 25th August

Thank you to all of you who came and raced, ate, drank, laughed, space hopped, hoola hooped, tasted cake and blew bubbles last Saturday. We had a wonderful Club Day, with unbroken sunshine and wall to wall entertainment – heartfelt thanks to Michelle and Vicki for their committment, good humour, and hard work.
Beth and Sarah P were our glamorous marshals for the mixed doubles races.  Against the published odds, the Captains’ double held off their oppo in the semi and the final to bring home the trophy (blue on blue commemorative rigger jiggers for all participants). Well done to Cris and Sarah T, Tom and Clemmy, and Gav and Clare.
The cake competition (judged by Jackie Darling) was won by Olivia Stockdale (age 2 yrs) with a little help from her Mum, Nicola.
BBL’s new Filippi 8 was christened Sarah Powell, as a mark of appreciation for everything Sarah has done for the Club.  Not just the practical things (the availability spreadsheet, the group emails),  not just the exciting things (Henley win, Mo Farah coming to visit), not just the (sometimes irritating) tidy uppy thingies (little plastic boxes, big plastic boxes), or the fact that as Chair of the Boathouse Exec she deals with all the practical housekeeping and maintenance for the Boathouse, but also because she built a new website,  started the GFAR courses, runs the timing team for the Pairs Head, and provides Web services for HORR.  Good luck to the Sarah Powell!
The next big event is Pairs Head on 10th October.  This is our race The BBL Pairs Head, and Lucy Fry is Chair of the Pairs Head Committee.  Put it in your diaries now – you will be baking cakes, serving tea, helping on the timing teams, checking numbers and clearing up.  You might even be racing – let me know asap if you would like to enter (we already have 4 doubles and 2 pairs) so that I can source boats for everyone. Let’s go for it ladies, and make it the best Pairs Head yet!
Next week we have our New Season Meeting on Thursday 3rd September at 7pm – I hope to see most of you there to welcome Mark, our new Head Coach, and to hear what the coaching team are planning for the year ahead.
Enjoy your Bank Holiday – let’s hope the sun comes out again!
Jo
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The Season Ahead

Following the captaincy elections in July, BBLRC have a new team in place to see us through the year ahead – congratulations to all elected – details here

Building on her success as the Happy Monday’s squad captain, Jo is now in charge of everything. And the first thing she did was go on holiday. But she hasn’t forgotten us and has taken time out from her holiday to send us this update:

 

Greetings all from windy Tiree!  Not a trestle, boat tie or blade in sight………….I am pining for the river and have almost forgotten how to shout…………
After a careful selection process we have at last appointed a new Head Coach
 
His name is Mark Calvin and he comes with an excellent CV.  He is very experienced at club level on and off the Tideway, and currently coaches Weybridge RC Junior Squad. He is working for his Level 4 Coaching Qualification, and is a qualified Strength and Conditioning Coach.
Mark has been appointed to provide coaching to all squads across the Club in collaboration with our current coaching team, ensuring effective communication and feedback. He will draw up a training plan and outing schedules which will cater to all of us at every stage of development and commitment.
Sounds perfect?  Well ladies, with your input it will be!
From the beginning of September the weekly training schedule for Intermediates will go like this:
Sundays 07:15 – long water session followed by core strength and conditioning (both coached by Mark)
Mondays 19:15 – water outing coached by Simon (joined on alternate weeks by Mark)
Wednesdays – Erg night
Thursdays 19:15 – water outing coached by Mark
Saturdays 07:15 – water outing – side by side battling where possible
Mark will also coach the Novice Squad on alternate Wednesday evenings with Carry.
Intermediates will all train together for the time being.  Row as much and as hard as you can, fill up that Availability Sheet and let’s romp into the Head Season with a phalanx of fast and furious crews.
Two important dates for you:
Sunday 30th August 07:15 – Mark’s first coached sessions
Thursday 3rd September 19:00 – New Season Whole Club Meeting (whole club, ladies, whole club).
And last but not least – here’s the sting – subs for the next year are due at the beginning of September, and after careful consideration the Committee has decided reluctantly to put them up to £350 (£430 for non CSSC members). They have not gone up for a few years and in order to appoint a well qualified Head Coach we needed to commit to an increased coaching budget for next year.
Please keep your feedback coming – I have had some really helpful emails so far and would like more.  We will review the weekly training schedule after the first few weeks, so I will need to hear how it’s going for you.
I’ll be back on Monday 17th August; if you prefer collar me at the Club.
Here’s to a cracking year ahead, ladies!
Jo