Veteran Training for the Head Season - an Early Report

We're tackling training early and in unusually robust fashion this year.

The squad isn't going to Cambridge (except Tony and Robin on a final pot-hunt), and the various sub-squads are getting down to business with varying levels of determination.

The new Vets Novice Squad (10 men plus our honorary woman - Cate) have a new diet of ergos and trial runs of the Small Boats Head.  They are going through a very real sense of shock as they move from the cotton wool of the Development Squad ("we paddled all the way to the railway bridge and back again, and are really pooped - can we stop now"), to getting into a racing frame of mind, and the fact that you have to do 2,500 metres WITHOUT stopping five times.  For the moment, they are avoiding the ergos (except for Thor - 18.33 for a 5k... not bad, not bad) but are happily doing the pieces.  For most, the SBH will be their first race, and we wish them well.

The Competition Squad (Old Duffers) are starting to do long pieces too.  Lock to locks.  Mostly to provide the BBQ crew moral support in their training for the Boston Marathon.  I can't emphasise enough just how hard rowing 31 miles is on your backside, but the BBQs are tackling this with a nonchalance bordering on the niaive:

Huggy: "Suggest you take a seat grip".
Pete: "I will, but will save it for the end of the race, and when I sit on it, it will feel like sitting on a feather cushion".

Trust me, Peter, no it won't.  Your arse will provide you with a new definition of pain by 20 miles whatever you sit on.

Liz Machem's new Vets Top Squad are already under the whip.  She's given them a training schedule which makes me wince for them.  The summer holidays have taken their toll, but already Sean is looking like a new man.  They've not given in yet, and actually seem happy.  Keep it up chaps.

The Experienced Vets continue with the Springfield sculls on Monday and Friday mornings.  Except, somehow it has evolved into lock to locks, racing the 4.5 miles from East Farleigh to the Malta.  The rivalry is intense.  The action, fast and furious.  Quarter is rarely given.  Some of the steering makes Schumacher seem like a pussycat.  Words are exchanged.  But always, tea and cakes await.

The 2 H's have yet to tame the beast that is the Empacher.  It's got a fin the size of an Eight's, and turns like the Titanic... very slowly.  Henry has renewed his search for a better steersman, while Huggy, more pragmatically, is searching for a smaller fin.

Finally the Recreationals continue to mess about in boats.  Very prettily too.  And as Jan and Tui paddle along, a small voice behind them keeps nagging them: "Small Boats Head - 3rd October, Small Boats Head - 3rd October".