3 Wins at WEYBRIDGE WINTER HEAD

Anna Nolan reports: 

It was beautifully clear and sunny for Weybridge, but at -2 degrees it wasn’t for the faint-hearted. Finding the portaloos frozen on arrival set the scene for the rest of the day, and we all realised there is not much warmth in a CRC racing onesie!

The Ladies Masters 8 was one of the first races. Although risking frostbite while waiting on the start line, we made a good start and held our own for most of the race. We were passed by the 2 men’s crews on the last leg, but the increasing competition encouraged us to put on a final spurt, leading us to win our category by a whole second! For some of us it was our first win, so the sub-zero temperatures were almost forgotten.

Our second race was the coastal 4 and the very last race of the day. We made a good start but couldn’t catch up with the other more experienced crew and ended up in third place.

Despite the freezing conditions (I’m sure a couple of my fingers snapped off in the boat) it was a great day and a really successful one for the club.

In other news:

Faye Standley and Jennie Emery won WMasE 2x as did the Coastal WIm3 4+ (Lucy Hart, Emma Kelly, Susan Ponsford &Sally Percival Foy). The Women's MasC2x was 2nd. 

The Mens Masters quad were racing for time only but were only 7 seconds off winning J18 quads!!! Rob Standley and Andy Galloway were 2nd in MasC/D 2x as were James Reynolds and Andrew Holloway after they were bumped to IM3 2- due to lack of opposition. 

Mini Head 8th January:

Mark Simms reports:

A big thank you to all the starters, finishers, cameramen, kit suppliers, sandwich makers and hordes of spectators on Stanpit Marsh for making the CRC Club Head so successful.

Sunday the 8th saw 27 boats take to the water for the CRC club head. Conditions were perfect with virtually no wind and unseasonally high temperatures. Following the briefing meeting everyone headed down to their boats and in order to make it to the start as close to high water as possible. The starting order was designed to bring about some competitive racing as well as giving some of the younger members their first taste of racing. This was a timed event from the Mudeford spit to the second of the four knot boards. The time was taken for each crew and then a handicap factor was applied based on male/female, river/coastal, type of boat, and junior/senior/masters.

With the harbour to ourselves and the mist starting to creep in, crews started to appear and battle along Stanpit Marsh encouraged by the spectators that had a grandstand view of the racing. First to show was the senior four which had taken the lead and was pulling away from the field. Following them, the girls J16 quad put on a show as they powered past the ladies eight in front of the spectators.. These were closely followed by three doubles that were going at similar speeds along the length of the course. The first big battles came with the coastal fours as four came through together with a Masters pair snapping at their heels. The most colourful of battles occurred between the two ladies masters doubles, the double that had forced its way through 200 metres earlier seemed to slow down and initiate and second collision in front of the spectators. This was despite some very loud and polite requests for the other crews to “go away”.

Some of the newer juniors demonstrated their speed and potential with some excellent racing in the first taste of a head race. The crews that had missed their start time brought up the rear as the tide began to speed out but brought an excellent row from Charley in the J15 single. The coxswains, some of who were racing for the first time, all performed exceptionally with some excellent courses and composure during the close races.

The fog came in to curtail any further training and all crews returned to the club to watch the video and partake in bacon and veggie sandwiches.

Winner:                Charlie Brad

Second:                Beth Bailey

Third:                    Jack/Adam         

Thames Valley Time Trial

2nd Mini Head Sunday 12th February

Please note the club will holding a 2nd mini-head from an undisclosed starting point to somewhere upriver of Stanpit. Boating at 7:30, Start time at 8am, crews not participating should pay close attention the the circulation pattern. Video analysis with 2x cameras and the promise of bacon butties afterwards. The newly rebadged Bournemouth rowing club are also coming to play.

Social Events

Sunday 12th February

Don’t forget will be breakfast served from 9am to 11am following the Mini Head.

Menu

Bacon Rolls, Sausage rolls and Halloumi rolls.

Tea, coffee and hot chocolate

Friday 3rd March

Curry and Quiz Night

Tickets: £10 includes £1 team entry

Food Served at 7pm to 7.30pm

Quiz commences at 7.30pm

Register a team of 6 or teams can be allocated on the night. Menu includes

vegetarian option. Email paulakeane250@gmail.com for tickets and include menu

option by Friday 24 February,

Yoga classes every week

Tuesdays 6pm to 7pm

Wednesdays 6.30pm to 7.30pm

Forthcoming races:

The club has entries or provisional entries for the following:

City of Bristol Head 19/2

Avon Country Spring Head 25/2

Head of the Stour 12/3

HORR (London) 25/3

Note some large entry debts are starting to accumulate so please respond to any teamer requests you may receive