Bedford Amateur Regatta 2009

Three womens’ boats out today, all rowing at IM3 (shows the growing strength and scale of the ladies squad though). In the inevitable good weather (OK, just HOW do Bedford do this), all three crews had second round races within minutes of each other – as one of the crews joked, just like buses, none for ages then three come along together.

The first crew off had a hard fought, close race, losing to the eventual winners, St. Edwards School (given as one length but I’m certain we had an overlap on them!) – disappointing especially as this was far from their best performance, also not helped by my steering them into a couple of buoys. The second crew off were more successful, beating Champion of the Thames by two lengths before the last boat off also lost out, against the losing finalists from Dame Alice.

In the third round the ladies went down to the Dame Alice crews, this time by (allegedly) 3 1/2 lengths – we were very surprised at this as it certainly seemed a lot closer.

Not as successful as previous events this year but some strong performances. All crews agreed that lack of starts in real events didn’t help, neither did being behind on the stagger.

No photos from me today – coxing in the first race and, hate to admit it, forgot my camera! Well, Steve and I had sneaked in a practice at Caldecotte first thing as we didn’t have to be at Bedford until quite late (made a VERY nice change).

However, some photos now available, courtesy of Charlene’s husband Rob. These are in the usual place, mkrc.fotopic.net

Great to see Bob all togged up in his finery as he attended his first event as an umpire. Well done to him – although a bit miffed he wouldn’t let me have a head start in our race…

No mens crews out – ominously, no competition for either the Vet C quad or the J18 quad. First case of the new rules killing competition?

Bedford Regatta results can be found here

Evening training again!

A combination of clocks going back and a nice day allowed us to escape the “joys” of circuits last night and get in our first water session in the evening this year. Nice to see so many small boats out, a four, a dobule and no less than four singles. Mind you, spotting the singles (and our “stealth” double – see pictures to see what I mean) in the gloom at the end was quite challenging.

A good extra session ahead of Bedford this week-end, allowing Will and I to get out in the double AHEAD of the race (not like usual) and Steve to dust off his single.

Can certainly tell it’s coming up to the Easter break as well. Suddenly our ranks are swollen by the (very welcome) return of the tax dodgers.

For info really, if you’re reading this and aren’t a member but would like to learn to row and/or scull, MKRC are running our first ever “Learn to Row” course, starting tomorrow morning. So, if you fancy a go, e-mail bob@mkrowing.org or just pitch up.

John Cunningham afloat!

Nope, not what you’re thinking!!

A really momentous event at training this morning. After many, many months of hard work by John (the person), John Cunningham (the boat) was ready. By good fortune we had nine guys down this morning and were able to take out the boat for it’s first run since we got it.

All of the effort from John (and Bob) is really worth it. The boat went really well, even with a scratch crew (including a couple of newbies) was quick and responsive and just sat so nicely. Mind you, I’d have loved to have seen John’s face (he was at bow for the maiden voyage) when Steve nearly steered straight into a buoy!

Even I enjoyed the outing (this is praise coming from someone who wonders where the second blade has gone in a sweep oar boat) – the funniest moments were seeing Nick and Pierre-Yves swapping seats; in the middle of the lake. Just a slight nervousness in Nick’s voice when he called for us to sit the boat, while he was standing up…

Good training outings for the ladies again, some very encouraging signs from these crews. Roll on the next race!

Training at last!

For the first time in what seems (and actually is) ages, we got out on the water this morning. Although a bit cold at first, there was no wind, no ice and no fog – we’ve lost sessions to all of those so far this year. This was only our second water session this year (plus the races at Northampton).

Encouragingly, we had quite a lot of traffic out on the lake. First session saw no less than five different fours/quads plus a pair and a single (plus the juniors). Nice to see several new or, in the case of Ed, returning faces. Gregg and Andrea had their first taste of a fine boat in a 4+ and Simon went out with us in the quad for his first ever try at sculling. All of them did really well. The second session saw Will braving a single – rather him than me with the water temperature still just off freezing.

Some really good work-outs but boy, the time off showed itself with the number of blisters!!

Now to start practicing for the next event – this will be Bedford Small Boats in April. Really missing the competitions, having had Bedford 4s and 8s canceled because of the flooding on the Ouse and having had to miss Henley as we were snowbound (even if Henley wasn’t).

Wasn’t terribly impressed by Henley – one of the biggest (and probably richest) clubs around and yet no consideration for smaller clubs unable to get to the event. They may be able to write off entry fees if they can’t make an event but that really hurts us. Given that around a third of the entries scratched, I would have thought someone would have had the decency to offer refunds….

Club captain Steve Lawson - ergo in the snow

More of this lunacy on YouTube

Rowathlon

OK, today saw our first real activity of the year with the inaugural MKRC Rowathlon. After three weeks of enforced inactivity (two weeks with the lake frozen and yesterday blowing a gale), Steve had organised this event. A gentle 2K ergo was followed by a 12K bike ride and then a mere 3K run to finish.

Despite the anesthetic (alcohol) this evening, I’m still in total agony. I think there are a few bits that don’t ache but I’m sure the morning will see to those as well. Steve tells me it’s good training, with the Head races coming up. I think he’s “being economical with the truth” here and just enjoys inflicting pain and anguish on people.

Anyhow, congratulations to the winners (Paul for Men’s Open, Pierre-Yves for Men’s Veteran, Helen M for Women’s Open and Paula for Women’s Veteran) and thanks to Tring Brewery for sponsoring us.

The scary thing is that Steve has suggested we do this regularly – I’m in favour of adding the handicapped swim for him (handicap is to tie the training weights to his feet and drop him in Caldecotte Lake….)

Seriously, did “enjoy” it really and would do it again – thanks Steve

Surprising myself, photos are already online at the MKRC fotopic site

Frozen New Year

This morning saw our first session back in the New Year. Trouble was, it was so cold overnight that virtually the whole of Caldecotte Lake was FROZEN!

It’s the first time I’ve seen it like that (there’s been the odd patch of ice before but nothing on this scale) and we figured that trying to break through the ice with a racing shell might not be a good idea. So, far from a gentle reintroduction to exercise from a light paddle we had the unmitigated horror of an early morning circuit. Happy New Year to all….

Odds’n’sods

Haven’t had a chance to write much recently (not that there’s been a lot to write about) but I find myself with a bit of spare time this morning, courtesy of the weather. Having been perfectly calm all week (Caldecotte Lake was like a millpond on Monday and Thursday) this morning the wind was steady at 15 knots and gusting higher. The lake looked more like the tideway, with a strong stream running. No chance of getting out in this, so we had the “joy” of an early morning circuit. Just for a change, Steve threw in ergos as well, six minutes at rate 26. Exactly what we needed first thing on Saturday morning. Still, it was nicer indoors than out. Mind you, there was a noticeable lack of people down this morning, especially men…

Major event last week was the Christmas Party. Very well attended and a really enjoyable night. More than enough food to go round (good thing we’re rowers, otherwise there would have been a mountain of stuff left) and livened up with a couple of party games. Will impressed everyone with his detailed knowledge of Mr. Men characters to win that contest. The competitive nature of us all was well demonstrated in the over/under game – how can something so simple wind up being such a competition? Still, we won when the other team burst their balloon (and, no we didn’t sabotage it as was being muttered by the losers).

Some of you may have noticed there’s a couple of other links on the right of this. I’m trying to add in useful rowing related links as I find them – if you want any added, let me know. One good one is the Top 100 Rowing sites – this is like a “hit parade” of rowing sites. To raise our profile, please click on this each time you visit this blog or the fotopic sites; this will move us up the rankings!

That’s all for now – only three more circuits ’til Xmas!!!!!

I hate pond weed

Today was the closest I’ve come yet to going in (having got out in the boat – see Splosh! for previous excursion into lake). Simon and I were coming back through the bridge and my bow side blade got completely and utterly stuck in the huge morass of weed. How we didn’t capsize I don’t know (all credit to Simon though, for managing to sit the boat). It then took me ages to extract my blade before we could get going again. Needless to say, light pressure was the order of the day through the bridge after that.

Has anyone got any ideas why it is so bad this year? It is getting so thick we’ll be able to walk across the lake soon!

More importantly, can anyone suggest how to get rid of the stuff, before someone really does themselves some damage?

Caldecotte Circus

Nothing like good weather for bringing out rowers! Monday evening was brilliant, warm, sunny and almost dead calm. The net result was the largest number of boats I’ve ever seen out on Caldecotte Lake at one time. We peaked at ten – a Mens’ Eight, a couple of Womens’ Coxed Fours, a Womens’ Coxless Quad, two Mens’ Doubles and four singles!

Where we were restricted to the South Lake at the start of the session, this made for some interesting traffic jams. This is definitely a new phenomenon, and the lake suddenly seemed quite small. Quite a few needs to “hold it up” during the evening.

The bridge is getting interesting just now; the good weather has led to an explosion in lake weed and going through the bridge is leading to a large number of crabs. Very interesting in singles and doubles!

Star Regatta

Not a good day at the races for the club. None of the five boats entered managed a single win, coming up against good opposition all round. The three juniors (Curt, Luke and Kieran) performed well, especially considering it was Luke and Kieran’s first single race and both Luke and Curt went out to the eventual winner (how big was this “kid” from Peterborough!).

The Women’s S3 4+ boat was beaten in a straight final by Star Club as was the Parent/Child 2x+ of Steve and James, coxed by yours truly.

Photos now on-line at http://mkrc.fotopic.net