Many of you will now be aware that the former rowing Olympian, Andy Holmes, recently died of Weil's disease, contracted, it is thought, at the Boston Marathon.
Our thoughts are of him and his family.
Please take some time to review British Rowing's advice on Weil's disease HERE
Taming the Beast - Prelude to the Pairs Head
For two months now, Huggy and Henry have tried to tame the beast that is the Empacher. They have different approaches. Huggy thinks they have been found out. The Roger Mobbs was a docile boat that hid their flaws, and it's age has loosened it up a bit that gives the oarsman quite a bit of slack. "No Excuses" conversely takes no prisoners, it's totally rigid, allowing you to get more return on your stroke, but at a price - it's hard work! It's also harder to balance, bladework has to be precise, timing - perfect. Huggy is forever complaining it is down on strokeside due to Henry's lazy hands.
And it refuses to turn - Empachers are built to go straight. The two H's have not had the time to replace the fin with a smaller one, so getting round the sewage works bend now requires a high rating 20 stroke firm pressure push on one side, and even then it doesn't hug the corner. Worse, despite all this extra effort, the boat slows down! The boat is fitted with one of these propellors on the hull which measures boat speed. In a straight line they get around 7.5 metres per second, round bends it drops to 6.5.
Henry just thinks he needs a bigger, stronger partner, who is a better steersman...
The glory of the Masters Championships seems a long, long time ago.
And then there is the recent dominance of the Vet Fs (Robin Chapman and Tony Marshall). You see it goes like this: in the days before both crews upgraded their boats, the Vet D's would come in even when giving the Vet F's a 40 second headstart over the SBH course - that is pretty much equivalent to the age handicap. Then Tony fixed his iron lung, pacemaker, or whatever it is, they bought themselves a Stampfli and BANG, the difference suddenly became 25 seconds. Enter the Empacher and the difference became 20 seconds as the 2 H's struggled to cope with it.
2 months later, neutral third parties confirmed that the boat does indeed drop to strokeside. Very reluctantly, Henry worked a deal: he would try to keep his hands together coming forward, but only if Huggy threw away the "rabid nonsense" that is British Rowing Technique and they re-adopt the good old 'long and strong' philosophy of rowing as in their Curlew days.
Things have started to improve. It doesn't look pretty, but the Empacher is slowly being tamed and the gap with the Vet F's has started to improve, 25 seconds, 30 seconds... and so to the Autumn SBH race. The windy conditions certainly favoured the heavier crew, and Huggy steered his first decent course in weeks. Both crews won their respective events: the Vet F2x ran in with a creditable 11.16 min, and the Vet Ds... 10.32 - that's... 44 seconds faster. Oh yes my son, the boys are back in town.
Or are they?
One final tweak. Henry has at long last got a bigger, stronger steersman... himself. Unfortunately it means that the smaller, weaker partner is stroking it. Heh, heh. Early days, but some positive signs: Henry's levers are turning the boat better from the bow seat, and Huggy is finally getting maximum power on, as the strokeside dip is less prevalent.
So to the Pairs Head this coming Saturday. 479 boats. 4 k. Will Huggy maintain a decent rating? Will Henry steer a decent course? We shall see. They and our other crews will be pitting themselves against some of the best in the country.
Also going are Robin and Tony as Vet Fs, James and Mark T as a Vet B 2x, and Hugh and Charlie in an IM2 2-.
Let's pray for calm winds.
And it refuses to turn - Empachers are built to go straight. The two H's have not had the time to replace the fin with a smaller one, so getting round the sewage works bend now requires a high rating 20 stroke firm pressure push on one side, and even then it doesn't hug the corner. Worse, despite all this extra effort, the boat slows down! The boat is fitted with one of these propellors on the hull which measures boat speed. In a straight line they get around 7.5 metres per second, round bends it drops to 6.5.
Henry just thinks he needs a bigger, stronger partner, who is a better steersman...
The glory of the Masters Championships seems a long, long time ago.
And then there is the recent dominance of the Vet Fs (Robin Chapman and Tony Marshall). You see it goes like this: in the days before both crews upgraded their boats, the Vet D's would come in even when giving the Vet F's a 40 second headstart over the SBH course - that is pretty much equivalent to the age handicap. Then Tony fixed his iron lung, pacemaker, or whatever it is, they bought themselves a Stampfli and BANG, the difference suddenly became 25 seconds. Enter the Empacher and the difference became 20 seconds as the 2 H's struggled to cope with it.
2 months later, neutral third parties confirmed that the boat does indeed drop to strokeside. Very reluctantly, Henry worked a deal: he would try to keep his hands together coming forward, but only if Huggy threw away the "rabid nonsense" that is British Rowing Technique and they re-adopt the good old 'long and strong' philosophy of rowing as in their Curlew days.
Things have started to improve. It doesn't look pretty, but the Empacher is slowly being tamed and the gap with the Vet F's has started to improve, 25 seconds, 30 seconds... and so to the Autumn SBH race. The windy conditions certainly favoured the heavier crew, and Huggy steered his first decent course in weeks. Both crews won their respective events: the Vet F2x ran in with a creditable 11.16 min, and the Vet Ds... 10.32 - that's... 44 seconds faster. Oh yes my son, the boys are back in town.
Or are they?
One final tweak. Henry has at long last got a bigger, stronger steersman... himself. Unfortunately it means that the smaller, weaker partner is stroking it. Heh, heh. Early days, but some positive signs: Henry's levers are turning the boat better from the bow seat, and Huggy is finally getting maximum power on, as the strokeside dip is less prevalent.
So to the Pairs Head this coming Saturday. 479 boats. 4 k. Will Huggy maintain a decent rating? Will Henry steer a decent course? We shall see. They and our other crews will be pitting themselves against some of the best in the country.
Also going are Robin and Tony as Vet Fs, James and Mark T as a Vet B 2x, and Hugh and Charlie in an IM2 2-.
Let's pray for calm winds.
Maidstone Autumn Small Boats Head - 2010 - Veterans Report
Maidstone Vets put out 16 boats on Sunday, showing the strength in depth we now have in the squad, particularly as most were restricted to one race due to organising and marshalling commitments.
Before I get howls of protest, admittedly 3 of the crews were part of the senior squad rowing at Masters B category, so I won't steal the seniors' thunder. They are old, they just don't know it yet :). That said, much credit must go to the Masters B crew of James Knight, Mark Tompkins, Richard Ridgway and Steve Slade, who came 2nd overall and won the Masters B/C 4+ category with an impressive 9.50 mins in diificult conditions: a fierce headwind and plenty of current.
Liz Machem's fledgling top squad Masters C4+ crew of Olly Barton, Graeme Hodgkinson, Sean Bennett and Steve Bickers best time was 10.44 mins. Gerraint has put his back out, and once winter trainng settles in, there will be plenty more to come.
Top Squad
Hot on their heels were the BBQ Masters E4+ crew of Pete Kingsley, Chris Long (late replacement for Mark "loved-up" Dreissner), Alan Leeson and Tom Fuller with a highly impressive 10.47, which would have surely have won them a medal... but for the lack of opponents! I have lost count of the number of times they have since reminded me time and age differences with the top squad. Point is well made, gentlemen.
The 2 old duffers crews (Masters C 4+s) came in close with the crew of Rob Kenway, Ali Machin, Rob Macmanaway and Micky Griffith edging it over rivals, Bert Deters, Greg Snape, Bill Butler and Alan Rickwood 11.16 to 11.26.
The 2 Novice Masters crews had an equally close match, with the Heavies (Bob Barwick, Pat Tenters, Darren Prentice and Trevor Mason) beating the Lights (Dave Purchase, Marc Jarvis, Spencer Norman - all 69 years of him, and Jez Massey) 11.41 to 11.49. Very creditable for your first race, gents. Unfortunately, they were racing a very hot Medway boys Novice crew who blew them and most of the rest of the field away coming in 9th overall.
Light Vet Novices chasing the Heavies (they look like the real deal don't they!)
Vet Novice Heavies - not so heavy Darren, subbing in for not very well Thor
Vet Novice Lights
A big thanks go to Tim and Tui for shouldering the burden of coxing in all 3 divisions in horrid conditions.
The experienced Vets continued their successful season. Richard Huggins and Henry Abraham had a strong row, winning their event and coming in 14th overall with a time of 10.32 in the Masters D2x. Likewise, Robin Chapman and Tony Marshall won their Masters F2x event in a time of 11.15.
Vet F2x on their way to their category win being overtaken in the background by Maidstone N2x (Birrell and Saunders on their way to their category win).
Simon DeMaria, in the Masters D1x with a very creditable 11.56 against a very strong sculler from Bewl and in conditions which were not single sculler friendly. I think they told him he had won, but looking at the results, he lost by 1 second.
Roger & Sue Mobbs racing Mixed Masters F2x did an equally impresive 11.49, but their opposition denied them a gong by crying off sick. Said opposition vehemently rejected the presumption that it would have been a Mobbs victory. Your reporter retreated from the bitter recriminations before handbags started to fly.
Sue and Roger Mobbs battling in the wind
Cate Devereaux and Dave Purchase completed their first Masters Novice Mixed 2x race in 12.46, thus just achieving my target of them coming within 1 minute of the Mobbs'. Well done you two.
A big well done to all the other winning Maidstone crews - 12 in all. Also to the organisers and supporters for another successful home event.
Before I get howls of protest, admittedly 3 of the crews were part of the senior squad rowing at Masters B category, so I won't steal the seniors' thunder. They are old, they just don't know it yet :). That said, much credit must go to the Masters B crew of James Knight, Mark Tompkins, Richard Ridgway and Steve Slade, who came 2nd overall and won the Masters B/C 4+ category with an impressive 9.50 mins in diificult conditions: a fierce headwind and plenty of current.
Liz Machem's fledgling top squad Masters C4+ crew of Olly Barton, Graeme Hodgkinson, Sean Bennett and Steve Bickers best time was 10.44 mins. Gerraint has put his back out, and once winter trainng settles in, there will be plenty more to come.
Hot on their heels were the BBQ Masters E4+ crew of Pete Kingsley, Chris Long (late replacement for Mark "loved-up" Dreissner), Alan Leeson and Tom Fuller with a highly impressive 10.47, which would have surely have won them a medal... but for the lack of opponents! I have lost count of the number of times they have since reminded me time and age differences with the top squad. Point is well made, gentlemen.
The 2 old duffers crews (Masters C 4+s) came in close with the crew of Rob Kenway, Ali Machin, Rob Macmanaway and Micky Griffith edging it over rivals, Bert Deters, Greg Snape, Bill Butler and Alan Rickwood 11.16 to 11.26.
The 2 Novice Masters crews had an equally close match, with the Heavies (Bob Barwick, Pat Tenters, Darren Prentice and Trevor Mason) beating the Lights (Dave Purchase, Marc Jarvis, Spencer Norman - all 69 years of him, and Jez Massey) 11.41 to 11.49. Very creditable for your first race, gents. Unfortunately, they were racing a very hot Medway boys Novice crew who blew them and most of the rest of the field away coming in 9th overall.
A big thanks go to Tim and Tui for shouldering the burden of coxing in all 3 divisions in horrid conditions.
The experienced Vets continued their successful season. Richard Huggins and Henry Abraham had a strong row, winning their event and coming in 14th overall with a time of 10.32 in the Masters D2x. Likewise, Robin Chapman and Tony Marshall won their Masters F2x event in a time of 11.15.
Vet F2x on their way to their category win being overtaken in the background by Maidstone N2x (Birrell and Saunders on their way to their category win).Simon DeMaria, in the Masters D1x with a very creditable 11.56 against a very strong sculler from Bewl and in conditions which were not single sculler friendly. I think they told him he had won, but looking at the results, he lost by 1 second.
Roger & Sue Mobbs racing Mixed Masters F2x did an equally impresive 11.49, but their opposition denied them a gong by crying off sick. Said opposition vehemently rejected the presumption that it would have been a Mobbs victory. Your reporter retreated from the bitter recriminations before handbags started to fly.
Cate Devereaux and Dave Purchase completed their first Masters Novice Mixed 2x race in 12.46, thus just achieving my target of them coming within 1 minute of the Mobbs'. Well done you two.
A big well done to all the other winning Maidstone crews - 12 in all. Also to the organisers and supporters for another successful home event.
Maidstone Small Boats Head - 3 Oct 2010 - Results
If you click 'full screen' then right click the document and zoom in, you will see it better.
Results
Results
Maidstone Autumn Small Boats Head - Draw
Draw
Maidstone Invicta Small Boats Head 2010
Instructions and Circulation Pattern:
dMaidstoneInvictaRowingClub-notestocoachescaptainsandcompetitors
Maidstone Invicta Small Boats Head 2010
Instructions and Circulation Pattern:
dMaidstoneInvictaRowingClub-notestocoachescaptainsandcompetitors
Kelsie officially selected for the World Championships
Kelsie has officially been selected to represent Great Britain at the World Championships in November.
For the full article please click on the link below
http://www.britishrowing.org/news/gb-rowing-teams-world-championships-squad-announced
Also to see Kelsie's profile on GB Rowing use the link below
http://www.britishrowing.org/gb/biographies/kelsie-gibson
Wishing her all the best from Maidstone Invicta!
For the full article please click on the link below
http://www.britishrowing.org/news/gb-rowing-teams-world-championships-squad-announced
Also to see Kelsie's profile on GB Rowing use the link below
http://www.britishrowing.org/gb/biographies/kelsie-gibson
Wishing her all the best from Maidstone Invicta!
Boston Marathon 2010
Charlie had been boasting that he was going to do the Boston Marathon, not just do it, but do it in a single, a mad idea if ever there was one… But increasingly on longer ergs I was thinking about it too: what boat to enter, and who would I have in my ideal crew.
I mentioned it to mountain marathon man Will, Aly the pocket rocket and we were almost there with a relatively lightweight but powerful crew. Tom deemed 50.2km just a bit too far, but John saved the day on returning from his travels and was game. And so we had a crew; 3 of the Henley eight, and Aly who (rowing for Nottingham Uni) had just pipped us to it at the Met. Regatta earlier in the summer.
Training was sporadic, with John struggling to make it from London in the evenings, and various stag dos, European University Rowing Champs and work conspiring to thwart our best intentions of getting the quad out. We shuffled seats a few times so I, the lard arse of our 78kg average crew, wasn’t at bow, and I somehow ended up at stroke. This was a bit of a learning curve not just for me, but also for Aly, more used to the bows of an eight where he doesn’t have to steer… Pluto was coaching us to finish his Level 2 qualification, and it was coming together; our incursions into the bank, other rowers, and kayaks were becoming less frequent, the pieces were getting longer, and the rhythm was feeling nice and whippy, and sustainable.
The vets four, a crew of Tom, Alan, Pete and Bert were putting the mileage in for their return visit to Boston as well.
"Mine's bigger than yours!"
And then all of a sudden it was time, the carb loading was done, and the weekend of the race was upon us. Charlie managed what must have been a mighty impressive stack from his bike on Saturday morning and ruled himself out of the race.
Lincolnshire threw its worst at us as we tried to sleep in tents on the Saturday night before the race, but it was a blessing in disguise as the rain cleared shortly before we started. At breakfast Pluto added to his fine “injured-athlete’s figure” and showed us all up by eating more than us, and despite our derision we were really glad he was there to support us, with Lois and Charlie; thank you.
The vets went off shortly after midday, and 40 minutes later so did we, starting 2nd of 7 IM3 coxless quads, with just Bristol City RC ahead of us. The river is narrow for the first couple of km, so we took it off light to get properly warmed up, we were sitting at rate 22, just within the 22-26 we had been aiming for, but the rhythm wasn’t quite there, it wasn’t light and whippy. Taking it up felt good for a minute or two before slipping back down again; but as we started passing other boats, including Bristol City our only direct opposition ahead of us, we relaxed and it was gradually coming together. The 13km to Bardney lock flew past, and a rapid extraction, run across the bank, and quick drink saw us close the gap to the boats ahead significantly, a nice easy minute or so caught up! We were resting in pairs, and at 18km we had our first breather, just enough for a bit of food and drink, and to realise that I was going to suffer with blisters but dressing them would take far too long, and I should just man up… Aly and John had done an impressive job of keeping us level pegging with a junior quad we’d just passed, and now it was my and Wills turn. We cracked on, and had a couple of really good kilometres before we hit traffic. Boats being overtaken should get out of the way; a few didn’t, or chose to squeeze us towards the bank, or the weed, which didn’t help keep the boat relaxed.
"Are we nearly there yet?"
"Nearly. Only another 15 miles to go."
Through the half way mark things seemed to pick up, time didn’t seem to fathom, and much of the race is now just a blur of concentrating on the rhythm and keeping it relaxed. Will and John in the middle of the boat did a superb job of delivering the pushes as they were called, and apart from numerous stops to clear weed from the fin, which had me precariously balanced on my rigger and the stern canvas we had a cracking second half of the race. After getting it back together after the earlier glut of traffic 23½ had been our rate, it was going well and we consolidated, the Runcorn Senior 4x- came past at an astonishing rate. Bristol City must have pushed hard at the beginning of the second half and had caught us up, and passed us during our second set of rests; a few kilometres later Bristol stopped and we passed them, Aly called a “shimmy”, which we seemed to respond to better than being asked for another push! 35-40km was hard work, not helped by a few missing or unseen distance markers, and more weed, we passed the Vets who seemed to be flagging a little, and an old boy in a single, wearing Chino’s and a sweatshirt and rowing at barely quarter slide but at a decent rate. It was refreshing, if he can do this, so can I!
At 40km without any calls for it the boat livened up, we had loads of run, the rate was sat effortlessly at 25 and we were on fire, I was tired and my legs hurt but we were nearly there, I felt so invigorated! A third and final food and drink stop at 43km and we pushed on, another 2 weed stops around 47km and we were level with the Sudbury IM3 8+. I hope for their sake that their cox hadn’t been that vocal the entire way, she was calling them up “More length”. “Hold the finishes.” But we were still there with them, with little more than a slight squeeze and holding the rate. She called 1km to go and spurred them home, 50m later as the 49km marker came into our peripheral vision John in a guttural war cry rhetorically asked if we were going to take it home, there were 3 equally bellowed responses and we took it up, 28, 29, then 31spm and we settled there. Where had this come from!! The eight was left behind, it felt good, and then I could hear the commentator, encouraging us in, gradually getting louder until I heard “2 strokes Maidstone”. And then we were finished, where had the last 3½ hours gone? I was delighted we’d rowed well, but gutted that it had finished.
The results were finally published an hour and a half later after the last boat in the category had finished, we’d won our category and were 4th fastest overall in 3hrs 39m 18s, just 3m 51s behind the IM3 4x- record, not bad for 4 rowers who haven’t sculled much!
The vets, competing in IM3 due to a lack of Vet.E opposition, came second in category in 4hrs 38m 5s. A very good result.
And finally, some words of wisdom for anyone doing it in future:
• Don’t overdo the sustenance – I only ate 1 banana and 2 cereal bars, and drank 1.5l during the race but carried the same again (it wasn’t particularly hot mind)
• Start in race kit – I didn’t have time to take my tech top off without feeling like I would have been holding the crew up(again, it wasn’t that hot, had I been uncomfortably hot I could have done)
I mentioned it to mountain marathon man Will, Aly the pocket rocket and we were almost there with a relatively lightweight but powerful crew. Tom deemed 50.2km just a bit too far, but John saved the day on returning from his travels and was game. And so we had a crew; 3 of the Henley eight, and Aly who (rowing for Nottingham Uni) had just pipped us to it at the Met. Regatta earlier in the summer.
Training was sporadic, with John struggling to make it from London in the evenings, and various stag dos, European University Rowing Champs and work conspiring to thwart our best intentions of getting the quad out. We shuffled seats a few times so I, the lard arse of our 78kg average crew, wasn’t at bow, and I somehow ended up at stroke. This was a bit of a learning curve not just for me, but also for Aly, more used to the bows of an eight where he doesn’t have to steer… Pluto was coaching us to finish his Level 2 qualification, and it was coming together; our incursions into the bank, other rowers, and kayaks were becoming less frequent, the pieces were getting longer, and the rhythm was feeling nice and whippy, and sustainable.
The vets four, a crew of Tom, Alan, Pete and Bert were putting the mileage in for their return visit to Boston as well.
"Mine's bigger than yours!"
The VetE 4+ measuring up before the start.
And then all of a sudden it was time, the carb loading was done, and the weekend of the race was upon us. Charlie managed what must have been a mighty impressive stack from his bike on Saturday morning and ruled himself out of the race.
Lincolnshire threw its worst at us as we tried to sleep in tents on the Saturday night before the race, but it was a blessing in disguise as the rain cleared shortly before we started. At breakfast Pluto added to his fine “injured-athlete’s figure” and showed us all up by eating more than us, and despite our derision we were really glad he was there to support us, with Lois and Charlie; thank you.
The vets went off shortly after midday, and 40 minutes later so did we, starting 2nd of 7 IM3 coxless quads, with just Bristol City RC ahead of us. The river is narrow for the first couple of km, so we took it off light to get properly warmed up, we were sitting at rate 22, just within the 22-26 we had been aiming for, but the rhythm wasn’t quite there, it wasn’t light and whippy. Taking it up felt good for a minute or two before slipping back down again; but as we started passing other boats, including Bristol City our only direct opposition ahead of us, we relaxed and it was gradually coming together. The 13km to Bardney lock flew past, and a rapid extraction, run across the bank, and quick drink saw us close the gap to the boats ahead significantly, a nice easy minute or so caught up! We were resting in pairs, and at 18km we had our first breather, just enough for a bit of food and drink, and to realise that I was going to suffer with blisters but dressing them would take far too long, and I should just man up… Aly and John had done an impressive job of keeping us level pegging with a junior quad we’d just passed, and now it was my and Wills turn. We cracked on, and had a couple of really good kilometres before we hit traffic. Boats being overtaken should get out of the way; a few didn’t, or chose to squeeze us towards the bank, or the weed, which didn’t help keep the boat relaxed.
"Are we nearly there yet?"
"Nearly. Only another 15 miles to go."
Through the half way mark things seemed to pick up, time didn’t seem to fathom, and much of the race is now just a blur of concentrating on the rhythm and keeping it relaxed. Will and John in the middle of the boat did a superb job of delivering the pushes as they were called, and apart from numerous stops to clear weed from the fin, which had me precariously balanced on my rigger and the stern canvas we had a cracking second half of the race. After getting it back together after the earlier glut of traffic 23½ had been our rate, it was going well and we consolidated, the Runcorn Senior 4x- came past at an astonishing rate. Bristol City must have pushed hard at the beginning of the second half and had caught us up, and passed us during our second set of rests; a few kilometres later Bristol stopped and we passed them, Aly called a “shimmy”, which we seemed to respond to better than being asked for another push! 35-40km was hard work, not helped by a few missing or unseen distance markers, and more weed, we passed the Vets who seemed to be flagging a little, and an old boy in a single, wearing Chino’s and a sweatshirt and rowing at barely quarter slide but at a decent rate. It was refreshing, if he can do this, so can I!
At 40km without any calls for it the boat livened up, we had loads of run, the rate was sat effortlessly at 25 and we were on fire, I was tired and my legs hurt but we were nearly there, I felt so invigorated! A third and final food and drink stop at 43km and we pushed on, another 2 weed stops around 47km and we were level with the Sudbury IM3 8+. I hope for their sake that their cox hadn’t been that vocal the entire way, she was calling them up “More length”. “Hold the finishes.” But we were still there with them, with little more than a slight squeeze and holding the rate. She called 1km to go and spurred them home, 50m later as the 49km marker came into our peripheral vision John in a guttural war cry rhetorically asked if we were going to take it home, there were 3 equally bellowed responses and we took it up, 28, 29, then 31spm and we settled there. Where had this come from!! The eight was left behind, it felt good, and then I could hear the commentator, encouraging us in, gradually getting louder until I heard “2 strokes Maidstone”. And then we were finished, where had the last 3½ hours gone? I was delighted we’d rowed well, but gutted that it had finished.
The results were finally published an hour and a half later after the last boat in the category had finished, we’d won our category and were 4th fastest overall in 3hrs 39m 18s, just 3m 51s behind the IM3 4x- record, not bad for 4 rowers who haven’t sculled much!
The vets, competing in IM3 due to a lack of Vet.E opposition, came second in category in 4hrs 38m 5s. A very good result.
And finally, some words of wisdom for anyone doing it in future:
• Don’t overdo the sustenance – I only ate 1 banana and 2 cereal bars, and drank 1.5l during the race but carried the same again (it wasn’t particularly hot mind)
• Start in race kit – I didn’t have time to take my tech top off without feeling like I would have been holding the crew up(again, it wasn’t that hot, had I been uncomfortably hot I could have done)
Cambridge Autumn
Maidstone Invicta win 7events at Cambridge Autumn Regatta on Sunday 12th September.
Maidstone Invicta has a successful day’s racing at Cambridge Autumn Regatta picking up 7 wins across a range of age groups.
The race at 650m long provides only a short sprint for the crews to beat the opposition. The WJ14 2x girls double of Tamsyn McConchie and Anneka Terry have only been rowing a few months and picked up a fantastic win.
Their efforts were matched by Ross Porter and Jacob Harris in boys J15 double. Jacob Harris went on to win again in both the Mixed J15 2x with Lauren Gilchrist and Mixed J15 4x+ with Ross Porter, Jacob Harris, Lauren Gilchrist and Lucy Maunsell coxed by Anneka Terry.
In the older age categories the Mixed J18 2x was won by Abi Delderfield and Fergus Maunsell. With Abi Delderfield also winning in the Mixed Novice Coxed Fours with Lauren Gilchrist, Matt Delderfield, David Porter coxed by Anneka Terry.
The women’s novice double saw Charlotte and Rachel Rickwood lose their Novice status (Congratulations) winning with a comfortable margin.
The regatta provided an excellent end to the summer season.
Training Hut Time & Useage
At the recent rowing committee meeting it was decided to trial a revised evening schedule for usage of the training hut by the various squads. Please give any feedback to your squad represenative.
Monday
- Open to all
Tuesday
- Open to all up until 6pm.
- Chris Long’s circuits 6-7pm
- Seniors have exclusive use after 7pm
Wednesday
- Juniors have exclusive use from 4 – 7:30pm.
- Open to all after 7:30pm
Thursday
- Open to all up until 6pm.
- Chris Long’s circuits 6-7pm
- Vets have exclusive use after 7pm
Friday
- Open to all
Kate has also asked if the juniors could have it from 10-10:30 on Saturday for their briefing and warm up.
Boat Naming Ceremony - Sat 2nd October
I should like to let you all know that the committee agreed to having the boat naming ceremony on Saturday 2nd October. The mayor has been invited for 11.30. Please be prepared to hang about after rowing for the occasion. We hope to fire up the Barbie. More info to follow I hope, but please put the date in your diary.
Roger Mobbs
Roger Mobbs
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".
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".
MIRC Club kit ordering window now open.
02 September - 12th September
Club kit can now be ordered individually from:
http://www.godfrey.co.uk/clubproductbrowse.php?selcat=391
up until the cut off date 12 September.
On each bit of kit that you add to your basket in the product options, in the drop down box, choose " hold my order until cut off date" this way we will benefit on bulk discount.
Godfrey will then collate the order after the cut off date, work out what needs to be made up, what each person owes with discounts on bulk orders and then start work on the kit. The payments will be taken from each person that has ordered in the week that the kit is due out (approximately 2 weeks after close of window).
Just to let you know, prices are due to go up next month so it might be an idea to get things you might need in the future. Find attached A leaflet explaining how it all works, any problems either contact me or Godfrey direct.
Please forward to anyone who this might be of interest to.
Many thanks
Stuart
Club kit can now be ordered individually from:
http://www.godfrey.co.uk/clubproductbrowse.php?selcat=391
up until the cut off date 12 September.
On each bit of kit that you add to your basket in the product options, in the drop down box, choose " hold my order until cut off date" this way we will benefit on bulk discount.
Godfrey will then collate the order after the cut off date, work out what needs to be made up, what each person owes with discounts on bulk orders and then start work on the kit. The payments will be taken from each person that has ordered in the week that the kit is due out (approximately 2 weeks after close of window).
Just to let you know, prices are due to go up next month so it might be an idea to get things you might need in the future. Find attached A leaflet explaining how it all works, any problems either contact me or Godfrey direct.
Please forward to anyone who this might be of interest to.
Many thanks
Stuart
Junior GB success
Kelsie Gibson, Morgan Hellen and Tim Grant have all been selected to represent Great Britain. Kelsie Gibson was selected in the LTA Coxed Four on Saturday for the World Rowing Championships in New Zealand.
Kelsie at only 17 was selected on Saturday to represent Great Britain in the adaptive LTA Coxed Four. Kelsie’s selection makes her the club’s most successful athlete at an international level. She has represented Great Britain twice earlier this year in the Varese International Regatta and Rowing World Cup in Bled winning 3 Gold Medals in May.
The crew hopes to build on the success in May and continue to win Gold in New Zealand in November. The results over the few months confirm that London 2012 is a real prospect.
Morgan Hellen represented Great Britain at the World Junior Championships in Racice, Czech Republic in the Junior Mens Eight earlier this month. The crew battled hard and came 5th overall. In the last 500m they overhauled the Czech Republic and took 5th place in 5:47.18. The USA took the Gold with Germany and Italy in Silver and Bronze respectively.
Tim Grant raced at the European Championships, Le Coupe de la Jeunesse, in the Junior Mens Eight in Hazewinkel, Belgium. The crew won Gold on the Saturday and Silver on the Sunday. A fantastic result for the crew and ensured that Great Britain won the Boy’s team trophy and came 2nd overall. Tim will trial once again next season to represent Great Britain as a junior with hopefully even greater success to come.
Maidstone's Dream
Stumbled across this site plugging Maidstone's top athletes.
You'll see a whole bunch of our current and recent top juniors highlighted. A tribute in itself to the athletes, Ray Long, Kate Beaumont and the rest of the Junior Coaching staff in recent history...
Maidstone's Dream
You'll see a whole bunch of our current and recent top juniors highlighted. A tribute in itself to the athletes, Ray Long, Kate Beaumont and the rest of the Junior Coaching staff in recent history...
Maidstone's Dream
Sudbury Regatta Results and Photos
Stacks of wins were had at Sudbury. The results can be found here
While our correspondents work on the various reports for the Juniors, Seniors and Veterans. Here are some pics to be getting on with:
St. Neots Videos
Alan Rickwood has kindly supplied these. Some good, some bad, some ugly - but all instructive!
Mens Veteran Squad
The Mens Veteran Squad has become a victim of its own success, inasmuch as we now have loads of Vets available to race, but with quite different levels of capability and commitment. Time has now come to add a bit of structure to the Squad. Here's what we propose for the racing Vets:
Novice Squad (first competition will be the Maidstone SBH Oct 3rd) - Coordinated along with the Development Squad (Sat and Sun 8.30 and Thurs 6pm) by Richard H
Bob
Pat
Richard Baldwin (Thor)
Trevor
Ali Machin
Jez
Darren
Marc
Dave Usher
Dave
Competition Squad (Old Duffers) - Coordinated by Henry. Training Sundays 10.30 and Thurs 6pm.
Rob Mac
Bill
Greg
Bert
Pete
Alan Leeson
Alan Rickwood
Tom
Below are Old Duffers who are considering commiting to the Top Squad. Guys please let Liz and I know what you want to do.
Steve Bickers
Graeme Hodgkinson
Mark Dreissner
Top Squad - Coordinated by Liz Machem. Training times to be confirmed, but would suggest 3-4 times a week
Olly
Gerraint
Sean
James
Below are the vets in the senior squad who may wish to support this squad and form a serious Vet 8+ crew targeting Vet 8s, Henley Vets and Masters Champs, choosing to train as an 8 in the weeks prior to these events.
Richard R
Mark Tompkins
Rick
Pluto
Lewin
As you can see, we are still formulating this squad. The key is commitment. If you are not mentioned above, please let us know if you want to play.
Experienced Training Doubles - DIY
Richard H and Henry
Tony and Robin
Mr and Mrs Mobbs
Dave and Harry
Experienced Training Doubles - DIY
Richard H and Henry
Tony and Robin
Mr and Mrs Mobbs
Dave and Harry
That's not all the Vets, of course. We are just focusing on the racing Men's squad. The Recreationals and the Development Squad will continue as before. We are a bit low in numbers with the women who want to race, and so are rolled into the overall Womens Squad run by Anne.
Thanks
Richard