New Rowing Information

The Rowing Voice, independent rowing coverage

Vol 2 issue 10 now out

New Rowing Information

This page is updated daily or as often as new information is sent to me. After appearing initially on here, links are moved a month or more later to the relevant pages indexed on The Rowing Service or in the news archive. Translate this page automatically.

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Wednesday 19th November 2008

A reminder that entries for the Scullers Head (Saturday 6th Dec, London, UK) close this Saturday (22nd Nov). OARA entries are preferred, but standard paper entries are accepted - more details at http://vrc.org.uk/sh. Any questions to scullers.head@vrc.org.uk.
In the absence of any sign of Team Durham sticking this on their website, the PDF posters for the North-East Schools Indoor Champs (2nd Dec) and North-East Indoor Champs (3rd Dec, both UK).
Tuesday 18th November 2008
Entries for the Wycliffe Small Boats Head (UK) are now open on OARA. Entries close at 1pm on Thursday 27th November, and are already more than two-thirds full.
The provisional start order and extra competitor information for the Marlow Fours and Pairs Head (UK) have been posted, mostly as PDF files. Clubs and crews are asked to note the following remarks from the organisers: "The entrance gate to Dorney Lake site will open not earlier than 7.00 a.m. on Sunday. Please do not bring your trailers or cars too early because of potential congestion on the approach road to the main gate. If your crews are training on the lake on Saturday 22nd you MUST notify the duty manager who will arrange for you to park your trailer in accordance with our parking plan for the day. Otherwise your trailer must be taken off site. In view of the recent wet weather, ALL VEHICLES MUST PARK AS DIRECTED BY OUR PARKING TEAM.
We must draw your attention to the strict rule about cycling. There will be a one-way system in operation and ALL CYCLISTS must follow this and pay particular attention when following their crew during the race. There will be pedestrians along the course and cyclists must be alert to the risk of collision and the possibility of injury. A supporter was seriously injured at Marlow Regatta this year and we do not want a repeat of this."
Results and photos from the Eastern region small boats head are up at the Isle of Ely website (UK).
The River and Rowing Museum (UK) is running another Friends evening with speakers, like last year's Singular Scullers night. This time Olympic medallists Steve Williams, Fran Houghton and Tom Aggar will all be speaking about their experiences in China this August. See the poster (PDF) and more detailed information (Word format) for how to book.
GB lightweight men's doubles coach Darren Whiter is giving a talk at Star Club on 27th November (UK). See details on this poster (Word format).
The Northern Region's club development conference (UK) is on Sunday 18th January 2009 at Durham University. Applications can now be made using this downloadable Word form which also has more detailed information.
Eastern region junior trials (UK) are taking place at Broxbourne RC on November 30th, ahead of selection for the inter-regional races. See the region's event page for more details. Closing date for applications is Friday 21st November.
A revised link for the Upper Arlington High School Crew (USA).
Monday 17th November 2008
The Silver Skiff results are out (ITA). Website in both Italian and English. Open Winners were Mahe Drysdale (men) and Mirka Knapkova (women).
Former rower Mark Pollock, who went unexpectedly blind midway through his time at university, is now off to the South Pole as part of the same race which includes Ben Fogle and James Cracknell. Mark's team are doing something different - they want to take a flag with as many pictures as possible on it to the Pole, and are inviting readers to upload pictures of themselves or their family/friends, for free. No obligation. See their website for more information.
Jeremy Martin is working with the ARA to try to start up rowing in Essex at the Lakeside Watersports Centre, where there is a sheltered lake and great facilities. He would love to hear from anybody who would like to get involved (email jeremy at martinfamily dot freeserve dot co dot uk).
Davies RowTech (UK) is back in full-time operation after a move of some parts of the business. They can now do most repairs, and expect to have all current RateMeters for sale shortly. Their Rating Stopwatch is once again available to order. They do not yet have an amplifier for sale, but will do repairs where possible. They are not anything to do with RowData.
A reminder of the Northern Rowing Council AGM this Tuesday (18th November) in Chester le Street. 7pm light buffet, 7:30pm for the meeting. Local rowers invited to attend (UK).
Entries for Rutherford Head close at 6pm on Saturday 22nd November, with payments required by Monday 24th November (UK).
The breakaway group British Universities Rowing (run by most of the mob who used to run BUSA before last year's changes) is hosting its first solo event of the season as the BUR Splash 'n Dash. See the events page for details. It's at Nottingham, for those who don't know where the NWSC is.
Silverskiff swells in size (WorldRowing, FISA).
Thursday 13th November 2008
Salt Photography (UK) - a rower who is also a photographer - took pictures of the entire Fours Head from Chiswich Pier, broken into groups of 50 crews, plus a set of coxswain photos (not every boat).
With red boards on the Thames the Marlow Fours and Pairs Head would like to remind competitors that entries for their 23rd November event at Dorney close at 3pm on Saturday 15th November on OARA (UK). If it is over-subscribed and they have to reject entries this will be done on the basis of date/time entered, and paid/unpaid.
A website for the Rowing Repair Center (USA) - with locations at Oak Ridge, Tennessee and Mount Shasta, California.
This month's Athlete in Focus (FISA) is Ramon di Clemente.
Clips from the Fours Head (UK) on RowTV.
The posters for the Welsh Schools Indoor Rowing Championships (Friday 5th December) and Welsh Indoor Rowing Championships (Saturday 6th December) are online. PDF format both posters, deadlines are 30th Nov (schools entries) and 29th Nov (open entries), location Cardiff Bay Water Activity Centre.
A site for 'The River Thames and boaty things' (UK). Not new, but fun for local rowers.
Rowing headlines - Is Koch plan best use of Boathouse? (Wichita Eagle, USA), Row, row, row ya scull, gently down the Tweed (Tweed Shire Echo Community News, Australia), Thirty line up for sporting evening (Marlborough Express, NZ), Tideway Scullers pull out victories (Dan Topolski, Observer, UK), Ulmer aids Waddell in pursuit of sporting comeback (Stuff, NZ, about Rob's wife Sonia), Adventurer to row solo for disabled veterans (MarketWatch, USA), Vehicles vandalised in Belleek and Enniskillen (Fermanagh Herald, Northern Ireland), Rowers in danger of losing Argo Pond (Ann Arbor News, USA), Westminster pull in the trophy (Hounslow Chronicle, UK), Rowing plans for Children in Need (Exmouth Herald, UK), Rower Anthony is a record breaker (Northampton Chronicle & Echo, UK), Rowing classic goes to midweek (Ballarat Courier, Australia), Double Olympic gold medallist Steve Williams visits Immanuel College in Bushey (Watford Observer, UK), For some, Olympic medal takes a lifetime (Times Colonist, Canada), Olympic presence in Terrace (Terrace Standard, Canada), Tough going for G'town rowers (Herald Eastern Cape, South Africa), Residents unhappy with park proposals (Daytona Beach News-Journal, USA), Lake Chabot dock for oarsmen under consideration by county (EbPublishing.com, USA), Bunbury rowers preparing for Youth Olympics (Bunbury Mail, Western Australia), Ryerson's six million dollar man (The Eye Opener, USA), First cycling, now rowing... does adventurer's career await? (The Herald, Scotland, UK), Canada's military soldiers on despite horrendous injuries (Montreal Gazette, Canada), Indian rowers ride high at Asian junior champs (WorldRowing, FISA), Olympic champ gets key to the city (Belleville Intelligencer, Canada), Well-known Sault businessman dies (Sault Star, Canada), India bags two golds (Hindu, India), Ocean race record plan for rowers (BBC News, UK), Rowing for gold (Trinity News, Ireland), Dining regatta (Charlottesville News, USA), Leadership masterclass for Antarctic adventurer (University of Ulster news, Northern Ireland), European regatta victory for Rock team (The Cornishman, UK), Light Blues are on the up - Baker (Cambridge Evening News, UK), Rower makes a big splash (Selby Times, UK), Golden time with Wetzel (StarPhoenix, Canada).
Also, Nuclear sub leak in yachting river (Yachting Monthly, UK). I don't know if this is in the section of the river used by rowers - it may not be - but it's worth checking if you're in that area. There is no danger from tritium unless it's absorbed by inhalation/ingestion or through the skin, and I imagine the spill will dissipate to a safe level pretty soon. Update - I gather the Tamar if rowable at that location is only so in large sea-going boats, so this may only affect coastal/gig/whalerboat rowing if there has been any. I'd imagine it's unlikely to be a problem by now. Thanks EC.
Wednesday 12th November 2008
A link for the River User Groups of the Thames (UK). Not all entirely up to date, but RUGs are good places to discuss points of dispute between rowers and other river users.
Tuesday 11th November 2008
The World Rowing awards were given out on Saturday (FISA).
The results from the Veteran Fours Head (UK) are online.
The Star/St Neot's WJ4x entry in the Fours Head (UK) has had its penalty abolished, which means they are now winners of the junior women's quads. The pennant winners page has been updated.
Monday 10th November 2008
Want your club in the Rowing Voice? Issue 2:11 is coming out this week: the copy deadline for club and personal submissions is 9am Tuesday 11th November. Email to voice@rowingservice.com before then. Classified ads - free for up to 30 words. News items - 200 words or less. Letters - welcomed on any subject of interest to rowing readers. Box ads, also accepted. See the Voice copy page for more details. Anyone wishing to contribute a feature or obituary this time please email as soon as possible today to discuss details.
Sad news - former Guy's/UL/Tyrian cox Fred Moorhouse died on 28th October. His funeral will be held at St Joseph's, Retford, at 11am on 11th November 2008. Moorhouse also coxed the Guy's crew which set the Oxford to London record in 1974.
And Croatian rower Milienko Finderle Fifi, a former member of the FISA Council, died on 31st October 2008 aged 78 due to bone cancer.
A PDF poster for the Head of the Float (6th December, UK). Closing date is 5pm on Saturday 29th November, entries on OARA only.
Having sold their manufacturing side of the business, Spartan Clothing (UK) is now concentrating solely on the supply of embroidered and printed clothing, with a new website at www.spartan-clothing.com. They would like to thank all their customers.
The Eastern Regional Rowing Council AGM has been moved back a week (UK). It will now take place on Wednesday 26th November at St Neot's RC, start time 8pm.
The Pangbourne Sculls results (UK) are online courtesy of Mikrotime.
Saturday 8th November 2008
While I'm still steadily getting older links in, Liz Wray is busily updating the Fours Head website. A provisional finishing order is already up, the results in more detail are about to go online, and fairly soon you can expect winners lists and all the rest of the stats.
Results from the Hylton Long Distance Sculls (UK).
Friday 7th November 2008
An urgent request for a Fours Head cox (UK).
Quite a few crews have pulled out of tomorrow's Fours Head (UK) or had to go time-only with too many subs. See the draw page for the latest start order (PDF format) and other information including crew lists for all categories.
One of the teams entering the Indian Ocean race next year is Row4Charity. The crew are running an online quiz on Wednesday 26th November, between 8pm and 9:30pm GMT. Registration should be completed before 24th November in order to enter.
Thursday 6th November 2008
Reed to continue to London 2012 - usual press conference nonsense. It's not as if he hadn't already said it... Anyway, BIRO's gone all funky with the photographs of their great Olympians, so you may want to click on the link anyway.
A tribute to former Poplar rower Joanna Brown, who died in an accidental fall in Siberia in August, on a trekking holiday with a friend after watching the rowing at the Olympics.
The Thames Regional Rowing Council advice on Tideway steering has been revised.
Wednesday 5th November 2008
The results for Glasgow Fours Head (Scotland, UK) are online, including points totals for the various clubs. All results files in PDF format.
Results from the Dee Head (UK) are up.
A website for Boatbags.biz, making boat bags and outside rack covers in the UK for all boat types from singles to eights.
Results of the Docklands Head are up (UK, PDF format).
Start order and marshalling instructions for the Fours Head (UK) are online. The Fours Head has a rule that all crews must carry a copy of the marshalling instructions with them in the boat.
Results of the Teeds Scullers Head (UK) are up.
Tuesday 4th November 2008
Regions of the ARA (UK) are seeking nominations for the ARA's Coach of the Year awards. See the ARA website for information including a downloadble form in PDF or Word format. Nominations must be received by the ARA from the regions by Wednesday 26th November, which means regions should receive the forms no later than 10 days before (some deadlines may be earlier - check your regional news).
Ian Shore is one of three people shortlisted for the Wales Coach of the Year (UK).
The start order for Pangbourne Junior Sculls (UK) is online.
Marlow Fours and Pairs Head entries are live on OARA now (UK). Enquiries to mrc2008mfp@btinternet.com.
The start order for Hylton Long Distance Sculls (UK) is online in Excel format, with the instructions for competitors also online.
Monday 3rd November 2008
There's a natty new website for Cambois Rowing Club (on the Wansbeck just north of Newcastle, UK). Neat and functional
Evesham Head (UK) is open on OARA. The race is on Saturday 29th November - the organiser says "always has been, despite other dates being published...."
The poster for Monmouth Winter Head (UK, PDF format) is online, together with their standard head entry form (Word format).
Thursday 30th October 2008
Today the Wingfield Sculls (Putney to Mortlake, UK) - 12:30 Women's Wingfields with (Surrey to Mortlake) Katie Greves (Leander), Ruth Walczak (Molesey), Tina Stiller (Leander), Rosamund Bradbury (Westminster School) and Sophie Hosking (London). 1:30 Wingfield Sculls with (Surrey to Mortlake) Adam Freeman-Pask (Imperial College), George Whittaker (Imperial College), Mahe Drysdale (Tideway Scullers, defending champion), Simon Hislop (Imperial College, and Richard Ockendon (Molesey). Not that they tend to be alongside for very long.
Update - Wingfields results (UK). The women's race was won by Hosking, who blasted off the start and nicked a quick lead. Times to the Milepost SH 4-56, TS 5-02, KG 5-09; to Hammersmith SH 8-42, TS 8-50, KG 8-58; to Chiswick Steps SH 13-40, KG 13-53, TS 13-54; to Barnes Bridge SH 18-22, KG 18-37, TS 18-40; and to the finish SH 22-05, KG 22-21 and TS 22-27. Bradbury and Walczak withdrew due to illness. Elise Laverick's record times from last year still stand. In the men's race, Freeman-Pask led Drysdale for a few strokes before the big Kiwi nudged into a short lead which he held ahead of a combative effort from Whittaker and Freeman-Pask. Times to the Milepost MD 4-40, GW 4-44, AFP 4-46, RO 4-48, SH 4-49; to Hammersmith MDF 8-23, GW 8-28, AFP 8-31, RO 8-34, SH 8-37; to Chiswick Steps MD 12-53, GW 12-59, AFP 13-12, RO 13-27, SH 13-36; to Barnes Bridge MD 17-40, GW 17-47, AFP 17-56, RO 18-02, SH 18-14, and to the finish MD 21-14, GW 21-22, AFP 21-34, RO 21-42, SH 21-52. No records broken.
Wednesday 29th October 2008
The start order for Glasgow Fours Head (UK) is online.
Ex GB-junior and ex-Goldie rower Chris Hobcroft has just run the Dublin Marathon in aid of Cancer Research UK - his fundraising page is here for those who would like to support the worthy cause.
The updated Tees start order (UK) is online, including payments up to and including yesterday. Competitors are reminded that entry payments are not accepted on the day.
Tuesday 28th October 2008
Former OxPoly rower Andre Zlattinger is doing a presentation about having climbed Everest earlier this year. The talk is on Wednesday 12th November at London RC, and all ticket sales proceeds will go to the Royal Marsden Cancer Campaign. See the flyer for details.
The memorial service for David Parry (UK) will be held at St Mary's Church in Henley, at 3pm on Thursday 4th December, and afterwards at Leander Club.
The funeral service for Bill Wallace (UK) will be held at 12 noon on Friday 31st October at Shiplake Parish Church, and afterwards at Shiplake College.
The start order for Tees LDS and SBH (UK) can now be downloaded from the race page (Excel format). All other instructions on the same page. Note they need to start the afternoon (SBH) division on time because of the light.
The start order for Dee Head (UK) is online. Click on the Draw and Docs link to get the draw, and see below the main menu on that page for the course map, competitor notes, safety instructions and other important documents (mostly JPG and Word format).
A new enterprise called CatchMe Sports (UK) is promoting itself as being applicable to talented rowers. The basic system is that you use CatchMe to generate a web profile for talent-spotters, prospective sponsors and other influential people to see, which is then searchable. They don't have masses of profiles online yet, but it could be useful when it gets going. Children under the age of 13 can't use it, but otherwise there is no restriction. Unusually, they are clearly making their own money out of advertising (including from clients who want to be more visible via home-page ads), and their privacy policy is impressively tight: they don't sell personal information to third parties, and only gather general statistics about their users for promotional purposes.
Mentioned on the rec.sport.rowing newsgroup, pictures of Oxford in their training 'Octalog' from Pathe News (UK).
Rowing headlines - Rower Ben gets Olympic fund lift (Swindon Advertiser, UK), Rowing team vies for world record (Flat Hat, USA), MRA rows well at Head of the American (Marin Independent-Journal, USA), Methody stamina passes the test (Belfast Telegraph, Northern Ireland), Ross convictions 'out of proportion' (Waikato Times, NZ), Woolgoolga surf club rides high on big donation (surf rowing, Coff's Coast Advocate, Australia), Local rowers help Queen's to OUA rowing championship (Hamilton Scores!, Canada), Golden girl Holly on form (Warrington Guardian, UK), Strong winds chill southern Wis. (Capital Times, USA), Distressed Yarra needs our love (Melbourne Herald Sun, Australia), Olympic rower to tackle Noosa triathlon (Sunshine Coast Daily, Australia), California Rowing Club pull to strong finish at Head of the Charles (Row2k, USA), An oarsome talent.... and they gave him just 12 hours to live (Hartlepool Mail, UK), 'They literally eat, sleep and row', official says (Orillia Packet and Times, Canada), Queen's crews win Ontario titles (Kingston Whig-Standard, Canada), Kingston School kings, queens of university rowing (Welland Tribune, Canada), Gold rush as Beijing glory boosts interest in rowing club (Henley Standard, UK), Carter excels at prestigious Massachusetts regatta (Henley Standard, UK), Retribution hurtles out of the skies on Royal (Daily Mirror, Sri Lanka), Rowing chief discharged (Marlborough Express, NZ), Students hit the row (North Shore News, Canada), Low Lake Hartwell worries boaters (Greenville News, USA), 35th Royal Thomian regatta, Thora prevail (Sunday Times, Sri Lanka), Rowing club's four wins regatta for third straight year (St Catharine's Standard, Canada), Rowing experience flying by (BCLocal News, Canada), Rower lands top TV anchor job (Adelaide Now, Australia), Rowing prepares for first Youth Olympic Games (WorldRowing, FISA), Rower shows 'grit, determination' (Hamilton Spectator, Canada), Seafront future - a lesson in history (Bexhill Observer, UK), Rowers to compete in regatta today (The Olympian, USA), 'Row Bob row' against cancer (CBS 4, USA), Peak accolade for Ballarat's O'Brien (Ballarat Courier, Australia), Good start for Star juniors (Bedford Today, UK), Rowers are now rivals once again (Ann Arbor News, USA), Shen girls four takes title at Head of the Charles (Community News Weekly, USA), Rowing her boat ashore (Swuamish Chief, Canada), All Corrib eyes on weather (Irish Times, Ireland), Sarah's 3000-mile sea voyage inspired by dad (Rutland and Stamford Mercury, UK), Ngai Tahu sets early pace in corporate rowing (Scoop press release, NZ), Lisgar rowing team picks up the pace at training (Centretown News, Canada), Brock rowing teams bring home medals (Niagara This Week, Canada), The boatman fixeth (BU Today, USA), Trangie rower represents Australia (Narromine News and Trangie Advocate, Australia), No wool pulled over Bob Richardson's eyes (syndicated obituary, Australia), Monypenny's efforts to inspire others (Examiner, Australia), Waddell undecided on next challenge (syndicated, NZ), Rowers star at regatta (Bendigo Advertiser, Australia), Rowing club celebrate West wins (Dartmouth Today, UK), Youth crew 13th in Boston race (Warrington Guardian, UK), A boathouse by any other name would mean far less (Winchester Star, USA), Rowers finally off the mark in LDS (Berwick Today, UK), Reaching for success with both hands (Boston Globe, USA), Why row past 70? Because they're here (Boston Globe, USA), Olympic medallist to meet those who supported him (Weston & Somerset Mercury, UK), Drysdale knows the way (Boston Globe, USA), Waddell to be guest speaker (Southland Times, NZ), Dedication for the dedicated (Boston Globe, USA), Kehoe returns to sculls (Toowoomba Chronicle, Australia), Interviews for new director begin (Irish Times, Ireland), Lodi rowers forming a watertight bond (Lodi News, USA), Finding his rhythm (World Link, USA). A reminder that I usually don't carry US collegiate headlines, unless they're of great general interest, as otherwise they would swamp all others - see Row2k for the college articles.
Note on the Youth Olympics (above, FISA newslink) - the Australian Youth Olympic Festivals have been held in odd-year Januaries since 2001, and this year it's 14th-19th January 2009. They include rowing, which is usually a set of invited teams (including GBR) against Australian state-team crews. The European Youth Olympic Festivals are summer and winter, also held in odd-numbered years, this time in Poland (winter, February) and Finland (summer, July). I'm pretty sure the summer one hasn't included rowing in the past. The new Singapore effort in 2010 will be the first full Summer Youth Olympics, including all the Olympic sports, and the first Winter Youth Olympics will be held in winter 2012, venue tbc.
Monday 27th October 2008
Full results from the British Indoor Rowing Championships (UK) yesterday. Note that the replays and reports are all from 2007 on the website at the moment, but analysis data from the 2008 racing should be online soon.
Results from the first GB water trials: openweight division and lightweight division (both Excel, UK). Singles trial winners were Ian Lawson (M, Leander), Ruth Walczak (W, Molesey), Stephen Feeney (LM, London) and Sophie Hosking (LW, London).
Results also out from the BUCS Small Boats Head (UK, Word format download) - just the medal-winners. If you want the full results they are here in division 1, division 2 and division 3.
Photos from the BUCS SBH and GB Rowing trials on BigBlade Photography (UK). Empty pages mean the crew didn't take part.
Sad news - of the death of Bill Wallace, former Shiplake (and Oratory?) boatman and a staff member at the River and Rowing Museum. See this brief notice in the Henley Standard. No other details at the moment.
A reminder that entries for the Veteran Fours Head (UK) is 23:59 this Friday, 31st October. Entries and payment via OARA only, but there are categories for S3 quads, and S4 4+/-/x both men and women, so ideal for those who missed the Fours Head deadline or didn't have enough points. (S4 must not be novice but there is otherwise no points minimum). If the event is oversubscribed, priority will be given to crews with complete, paid entries.
From the Armada Cup last weekend (Switzerland), the overall results and by event results are online are online (Rangliste = overall, Kategorien = by event). Open winners were Emma Twigg (NZL, women) and Allar Raja (EST, men). There are also some pictures on the site.
The Danish Winter Team Relay League (indoor) has been expanding, and is worldwide, so anyone can enter. The basic format is you enter a team in one of the thirteen age-groups, and do a race each month from October to February, entering your scores online. Each round has a different format, and October's is twice 8x500m or twice 4x500m (for eights or fours) - closing date November 3rd. See the website for details - the main rule is that an entered eight or four has to consist of the same eight or four rowers in all the rounds. The website is available in Danish, English, Swedish, French, Spanish, Portuguese, Finnish, Czech, Slovakian and Italian.
This weekend's Tyne Scullers Head (UK) was cancelled due to unsafe weather conditions.
The memorial service for David Chipp (UK) will be held at St Brides Church, Fleet Street (he was a beadle there), at 11am on Thursday 20th November, with a reception afterwards at Stationers' Hall. No flowers and no black ties please. Information from Miss Abigail Wills of the Press Association.
Friday 24th October 2008
This week's Nottingham Evening Post (UK) carried the following message: "McGIBBON - SHAUNA Doctor and athlete, died peacefully with her family in Dumfries after a long illness. The funeral service to take place at Wilford Hill Crematorium on Monday 3rd November 2008 at 2.40pm. Family flowers only please, but donations if desired, by cheques payable to "Glasgow University Brain Tumour Research" may be sent to Co-Operative Funeralcare, 18 Tudor Square, West Bridgford, Nottingham, NG2 6BT. Telephone 0115 9817444." Friends are also invited to the Beeches Hotel on Wilford Lane after the funeral on 3rd November.
Round the earth - Dave Holby (UK) may be mad, but he's trying something incredible. He is rowing on an erg up to six days a week, often 7 hours a day, in Basingstoke town centre, to raise money for Breakthrough Breast Cancer. The plan is to row the entire circumference of the earth (40,000 km), and after starting at the end of May this summer he is expecting to finish some time in the winter of 2010 (that's still at more than 300km per week). Dave has been interviewed on local radio recently, and is aiming to raise more than �55,000, but I suspect if we can encourage support for him, he will raise a lot more. See his JustGiving link to make donations.
Marlow Fours and Pairs (UK) - in view of the move to Dorney and the reduced length of the course, the organisers are holding events in three divisions and the entry fee has been reduced to �7.50 per seat. They hope competitors will take the opportunity to race in two or three division, so have separated boat classes. They have also added single sculls and coastal boat events. See the flyer for more information.
The photo gallery for the coastal world championships (FISA) is now online.
This month's Athlete in Focus (FISA) is Mirka Knapkova (CZE).
Thursday 23rd October 2008
Entries for the Pangbourne Junior Sculls (UK) have now closed, early, due to oversubscription. No more entries will be accepted now, but cheques for entry fees payable to Pangbourne College (not Pangbourne Junior Sculls) should be sent in as soon as possible.
A press release about the BUCS trial and small boats head this coming weekend (UK).
Wednesday 22nd October 2008
Nominations were out a week ago for the 2008 World Rowing Awards (FISA). Nominations for Coach of the Year are Grobler (GBR), Spracklen (CAN) and Wojciechowski (POL); for Male Crew of the Year Ginn & Free (AUS), the POL M4x, and Olaf Tufte (NOR); for Female Crew of the Year Neykova (BUL), the Evers-Swindells (NZL) and the USA W8+; and for Distinguished Services to International Rowing Chris Dodd (GBR), Jose Nunes (POR) and Zhang Qing (CHN). The winners will be announced at the gala dinner during the world rowing coaches conference in Paris on Saturday 8 November.
The start order for Tyne LDS (UK, Excel format) is online. Fees must be paid by today and those who don't pay won't race.
A reminder of the instructions for this weekend's BIRO/BUCS trial (UK, PDF format) in Boston. They helpfully point out that the UK clocks go back one hour at 2am on Sunday early morning, ie before the second part of the trial.
Also, early information about the GB junior trial on 22nd November (UK, PDF format).
Siemens are running another Stroke for Stroke week - combining erg exercise and fundraising for research on stroke prevention. LA Fitness is offering free gym access for all those taking part in the campaign.
Tuesday 21st October 2008
Information about the upcoming mass-start Armada Cup (Switzerland, website in English, French and Swiss-German), is online. They have 399 singles entries and 35 dragonboats, which means they might break the record finishing number of 231 boats in 1997. Defending champion Mahe Drysdale is on to try and beat double Olympic champion Olaf Tufte, while Elia Luini, Rasmus Quist, Lassi Karonen and Mads Rasmussen are also entered. Women's entries include Emma Twigg, Drysdale's partner Juliette Haigh, Swiss LW1x champion Pam Weisshaupt and Femke Dekker, all challenging last year's winner and runner-up Ekaterina Karsten and Michelle Guerette. The news page in German has the full start lists for all four categories. See the website for news, updates and results this coming weekend.
Big splash at Coastal Rowing Champs (WorldRowing, FISA), with the full results in PDF format here and introductory information here.
Details of Stourport Small Boats Head (9th Nov, UK, PDF format poster). Entries by email/post close at 12 noon on Saturday 1st November.
Recent rowing headlines (omitting largely duplicate articles) - Stalwart of club gets life sentence (Stuff, NZ), What do I do now? (Fran Houghton's BBC blog, UK), South Niagara rows to three top 10 finishes at prestigious race (Welland Tribune, Canada), Financial straits of boosters hit athletic departments (New York Times, USA, with a mention of the university of Oklahoma), Great Bay rowing has Mass. appeal (Foster's Daily Democrat, USA), Jim McGowan: he never gave up (Philadelphia Daily News, USA).
Monday 20th October 2008
Sad news (UK) - Shauna McGibbon, previously at NCRA and team doctor for several GB Rowing events and teams, died early this morning. More details about flowers/donations and the funeral will be published later.
Cancellation (UK) - the Henley Sculls is off. The land used for car parking and boating is being re-graded and re-seeded by Henley Royal Regatta and so is not available to be used for the event. Henley RC hopes the work will be completed in time for Henley Fours to be run in February 2009.
A lively weekend of racing at the Head of the Charles (USA) - the results index has all the information including intermediate times for most crews at the midway positions of Riverside, Weld Boathouse, and Cambridge Boat Club. Click on the race name or "Go" button for a race to see the version where results are entirely sortable in every category - just click on the header at the top of each column - and at some point video clips will be uploaded to the same pages (they're not there yet). If you ctrl-click and load into a new window, you get a simpler text version of the results which may work better on some computers. Winners in the women's champ eights were Canada beating the Dutch and Yale, while UWashington won the men's champ eights ahead of Pole France Aviron Nancy and Cal Berkeley. Gevvie Stone (Cambridge BC) won the champ women's singles and Kiwi Nathan Cohen (third placed last year) the champ men's singles (2007 runner-up Mahe Drysdale was sixth).
Start order, competitor notes and full safety information for the Marlow Long Distance Sculls (UK) is now online. Files are a mixture of Word, PDF and JPG.
Results of the Agecroft Small Boats Head (UK, Excel format).
Franklin & Marshall College (USA) has new links for its women's and men's crew squads.
Phelan Hill and Rebecca Dowbiggin have set up a new business, Coxultancy, and are running two coxing clinics, one for those who have raced on the Tideway, and one for those who have raced there before. Price �7.50 payable on the door though they want you to email them first to confirm attendance. If it's successful they want to hold more in other areas, and are keen to hear what coxes want to hear about before the lectures.
Sunday 19th October 2008
The Fours Head (UK) is now fully closed, with 550 paid and complete entries accepted. No waiting list can be allowed.
Results of the Wansbeck LDS (UK) are online.
Saturday 18th October 2008
The Fours Head (UK) has had over 550 entries, so who will get a place depends on who pays first out of the 50-odd crews who haven't yet paid online.
Friday 17th October 2008
Further news about Burgashall (UK) (after the message on the NERN newsgroup). Nick Bailey, its owner for the last 1.5-2 years, sent me this message to explain the situation: "As of Friday 10th October 2008 Burgashell stopped accepting orders for new boats, although the repairs section continues for the moment. Burgashell was taken over by Nick Bailey in 2006 with the intention of reinvigorating a popular brand, but unfortunately excessive costs imposed by the previous owner, combined with customers choosing imported boats in preference, meant the company was no longer viable in its current form despite strong orders from racing, recreational & coastal customers. The future of the company is now being decided, but it is hoped that production will resume at 67a in due course."
More updates later or over the weekend.
Thursday 16th October 2008
On this morning in London (UK), a big Olympic and Paralympic parade, including all the GB medallists and ending with a big party in Trafalgar Square. See BBC1 from 11am to 1pm - it's likely to be on iPlayer later (or perhaps highlights, not sure. Later addition - no it isn't on iPlayer). The schedule and timings of the parade have been published. The rowers should be on the second float.
Definitely on iPlayer is last night's episode of the Restaurant during which one of the competing couples did a cookery demonstration at a wind-swept Marlow Regatta. Quite funny watching rowers intent on winning races brushing their half-hearted attempts at marketing away... Should be online for a week from today.
Arranged at short notice, so only just being publicised, the Eastern region (UK) is hosting a small boats head (2-, 2x and 1x) on Sunday 2nd November, at the Isle of Ely rowing club. See the poster for details. Entries by post/OARA/phone until Sunday 26th October: cheques must arrive by the closing date to validate the entry.
A reminder that Marlow Long Distance Sculls entries (UK) close at 3pm on Saturday 18th October, on OARA only.
Boat Race trial dates (UK) have been confirmed as Friday 12th December at 11:30 (OUBC) and Tuesday 16th December at 15:00 (CUBC). Times may slip a bit but the dates are now set.
This weekend (Saturday 18th October) sees the grand re-opening of the Trafalgar Rowing Centre (UK), housing Curlew and Globe RC's. Day starts at 10am, official re-opening at 4:30pm with various VIPs: food/entertainment/local history talks also offered.
Start order for the Wansbeck Long Distance Sculls (UK, Excel format). All coaches attending need to be there at 9:30 to discuss safety aspects.
The North-East region (UK) is running a junior sculling camp for 11-16 year old novice scullers on 27th-29th October. The application form and permission form (both Word) are on the NERN website.
NERN (UK) also has a notice of the upcoming Northern Rowing Council AGM (18th November at Chester-le-Street, Word document).
Olympic drugs news - IOC chairman Jacques Rogge warns Olympic cheats they risk detection up to eight years after event and New drugs tests cast shadow over Olympics (both Telegraph, UK).
Wednesday 15th October 2008
The UK New Wave website has the FISA DVD and calendar links up now - similar system (see yesterday's mention).
From Sunday's Telegraph (UK), Hodge happy to push the boat out again (Simon Hart).
Tuesday 14th October 2008
New Wave has the FISA Olympic and Paralympic DVD and 2009 FISA calendar available online at the international/European shop, and the UK website will be updated shortly. The insane Flash-based mechanism for serving you web-pages means I can't give a direct link. To see the DVD, click on the FISA Merchandise link in the top menu-logos, then on FISA DVDs. To see the calendar, click on FISA Merchandise and then on FISA Books.
Participants in the Great River Race (UK) last month can replay their efforts, as can those who like seeing little 'boats' manoeuvre around the screen. Visit the ChampionChip website to see a replay at live or up to x20 speeds for the race, with individual boats visible navigating the Thames on a GPS map. Direct link to the live replay site is at the bottom of the page, below the explanation of how it works.
Germany won the E.ON Hanse Cup (Germany) last weekend, finishing the 12.7km course in 38 minutes 1.6 seconds, with Canada second (38-14.2), the Dutch third (39-07.0) and GB fourth (39-21.3).
Michael Pearcy has a set of pictures from the Henley Olympic parade (UK) last weekend.
The Friends of Pembroke College Boat Club (Oxford, UK) will be holding their annual London alumni drinks on Thursday 30th October from 7pm at London Rowing Club, Putney. All current and old Pembrokians are welcome. Dress code is smart (jacket and tie). Please RSVP by email or sign up on Facebook. A map and full details on the FPCBC website.
A report on the Rowing barcamp (UK) held at the weekend.
Monday 13th October 2008
The King's School Chester (UK) is planning to appoint a director of rowing from September 2009 (or possibly earlier). See the school website, which has further information and an application form for downloading (both Word documents). Closing date is Monday 10th November 2008 but early application is encouraged.
Seago Yachting (UK) have had to recall a number of SEAGO 150 and 175 lifejackets, and some junior lifejackets, which may have a dangerous defect which could result in injury. The lifejackets recalled now include all those made in the second manufacturing quarter of 2007, and have one of the following marks: IV/05, I/06, II/06, III/06, IV/06, I/07 and II/07. They are marked with the manufacturing date on the reverse of the white labels sewn into the jacket just below the inflation system. If you have a SEAGO lifejacket then please check the date, stop using it immediately, remove the gas cylinder from the inflation system and return just the jacket to: Seago yachting, Mullany Business Park, Golden Cross, Hailsham, Sussex, BN27 3RP. The jackets will be tested and serviced and any faulty lifejackets will be replaced. If you have any queries please contact Seago on 01825 873632.
The start order for the Weybridge Silver Sculls is now up (UK). As the event was over-subscribed the organisers have had to move some competitors from division 2 to division 4 to avoid delaying the start of division 3. They say - "We thought this was better than having to reject some entries. Hope this is OK with everyone."
Friday's high rainfall in the area meant that the Berwick LDS (UK) had to be cancelled due to floodwater in Tweed.
Race poster with information for Rutherford Head (UK, Word format).
Saturday 11th October 2008
Just a reminder that there is a massive rowing party happening in Oxford (UK) tonight - at a new night club on Park End Street. See this PDF poster for details - a lot of the medallists who were at the open-top bus parade in Henley this morning are going (they confirmed it when I spoke to them at the reception afterwards) and everyone in rowing who can get there is invited. Free cocktail if you arrive before 10pm.
Friday 10th October 2008
A new initiative by London Youth Rowing and the Greenhouse Schools Project (UK) - Row4Kids. It's a scheme where anyone can sign up and row 2km on an erg. They enter their score on the website for a small donation to the charity, and persuade as many friends as possible to do the same as part of their entry. 10+ friends qualifies you to be a Rowkids Champion, and anyone who lists you as their Champion then contributes points to your total as they row. You score for a combination of their erg speed, how many friends you sign up, and how much money you raise. Points then get turned into prizes, which include clothing, fitness memberships, spa vouchers, John Lewis tokens, iPods, and Fortnum & Mason products. People can sign up individually, or in groups - eg schools, companies, workplace teams, universities etc. If you're registered to take part, you can create a profile page for your entry or group entry, with space for blogs, video/picture uploads and news. The scheme runs for only 41 more days, and the money raised goes to help disadvantaged kids in London join local sports schemes which restore their self-esteem and confidence and can impact on the rest of their lives.
BBC Berkshire (UK) now has Leander's programme of events (PDF) for the Henley celebration tomorrow linked to the website, and will be broadcasting live during the bus parade.
Twins Georgina and Caroline Evers-Swindell have announced their joint retirement (NZ) on their 30th birthday. See Golden girls call it a day in the New Zealand Herald.
Other headlines - Training ability set the Evers Swindells apart says coach (Radio New Zealand, NZ), Evers Swindells coach surprised at decision to retire (Radio New Zealand, NZ), Planners study marina proposal (Oak Ridger, UK), Tigers tame the water in Hartford with stellar showing (Greenwich Post, USA), Rowers ready to race on the river (Rockford Register Star, USA), Rower wins one major meet, now off to anotherK (Burlington Post, Canada), Across the Atlantic, take II (Epoch Times, USA), Celebrities help fundraiser (Nelson Mail, NZ), California RC athletes charge to the finish at wine country rowing classic (Row2k, USA), Birthdays: Matthew Pinsent (The Times, UK), Peddlie crew teams move to 'head' of the field (Packet Online, USA), Tim Brabants moves into uncharted waters (The Times, UK), California girls a hit with rowing star Hunter (Daily Mail, UK), Darien rowers pull for Maritime in big cup win in Hartford (Darien Times, USA), Rowing at crossroads after big changes (NZ City, NZ), Ready to go (Portadown Today, Northern Ireland, UK), Rowing success for Bexhill College (Bexhill Observer, UK), Downtown boaters beware (The Chattanoogan, USA), Olympic rower to start Stars Appeal run (Salisbury Journal, UK), New rowing center promises to make waves in OKC (Oklahoma Gazette, USA), Debris on the Dee ends sculling event (Chester Evening Leader, UK), Shupe picked for crew meet (Plain Dealer, USA), Dark Blue opposing another Kiwi coach (Oxford Times, UK), Your chance to row in at Durham (Journal Live, UK), New Zealand's rowing twins bow out (WorldRowing, FISA), River rowing revival: HRRA brings regatta back to Hudson (Poughkeepsie Journal, USA), Crew season hits the starting block (Florida Today, USA), Verona boat house plan passes qualifying test (Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, USA), Pennington man named director of rowing association (Times of Trenton, USA), Proposal 'starting point' for marina makeover (Oak Ridger, USA), Minister pays tribute to rowing's golden duo (Voxy, NZ), an interview with the Evers-Swindells (3 News, NZ), Iran wins int'l rowing championships (Tehran Times, Iran), James Cracknell's race to the South Pole (Telegraph, UK), Landslip damages North Esk piling project (Examiner, Australia), Canal Cup to feature Canada's Olympic champion eight (WorldRowing, FISA), Mom or dad, would you like to row with me? (Row2k, USA), Row4Charity to race across Indian Ocean (Bexhill Observer, UK), Rowers prepare for long distance series (Berwick Today, UK), Pupils in 'virtual' row across African lake (Aberdeen Press and Journal, UK), Rower takes Massey Blues award (Manawatu Standard, NZ), Leukaemia student remembered by widow (Cherwell, UK), The big interview: Colin Smith (Cherwell, UK), Severn River rowers win prestigious Head (Orillia Today, Canada), Golden boy Zac starts hunt for sports heroes (Worcester News, UK), Southland rowing team picks up five placings (Southland Times, NZ).
Thursday 9th October 2008
Olympic silver medallist Debbie Flood is currently walking the Pennine Way with her enthusiastic labrador Charlie (UK). Debbie is raising money for The Yorkshire Air Ambulance while Charlie is doing it on behalf of his less fortunate four-legged friends at Labrador Rescue South East and Central. The names link to their JustGiving pages if you want to support either charity, the LSERC link is to its own site for information.
A reminder of the Tideway Slug's clubhopping page (UK), with information about clubs and their training times and details.
Wednesday 8th October 2008
Leander Club (UK) is hosting part of the Saturday 11th October Henley-on-Thames celebrations for the rowing medallists. The official notice says: "We are pre-empting the Olympic celebrations in London by organising a Heroes' Return party in Henley this Saturday 11 October. All the GB medalists from Beijing have been invited and 26 athletes and coaches have responded, including the M4-, who will be back on the water together for the first time since winning gold in Shunyi. The day's timetable includes a reception at the River and Rowing Museum, followed by a row-past of all the crews, an open-top bus tour of the town, another reception at the Town Hall, and finishing back at Leander for an afternoon party where members and guests can book tickets by emailing the club."
The results of Chester Long Distance Sculls morning division (UK, PDF format) are online. The afternoon division was abandoned after the first few crews had started, because the heavy rains of the previous day had brought a lot of debris downriver. Medals have been awarded for the morning division (men's singles and women's crew boats) since they were different events from the afternoon.
The start order (Excel) and competitor instructions (Word) for Berwick Long Distance Sculls (UK) are online. All boats must launch from West Ord and not Tweed Green, since there is no safety cover at the latter.
Information for Glasgow Fours Head (UK, 1st November). The online entry system will go live on 15th October.
A message from Marlow (UK): "The Marlow RC committee decided that, because Marlow Lock is scheduled for closure in November, Marlow Fours and Pairs will be held at Dorney. The timing and list of events is now being finalised, and will be published?in the next fortnight, but it will be expanded to three divisions and some additional classes included. We wish to emphasise our commitment to organising events on the river but prefer to offer racing opportunities rather than cancel due to river conditions etc. Updated information will be published on the Marlow RC website later.
There is now a website for Agenda Sport&Elements (Spain), for the company which provides rowing training camps and facilities in Banyoles, Spain. The link will shortly be upgraded - before that you can see the old rowing camp information. Website in English and Spanish.
Tuesday 7th October 2008
Poster and information for the Docklands Head (UK, Word format).
Unity Crew RC (USA) is a girls rowing club starting up in northern New Jersey, just west of New York. They are offering a $8,000 stipend for a 2.5 month coaching stint next year, from 15th March to mid/end May 2009, six days a week afternoon training, with housing provided for the coach. 12-athlete squad, from three local high schools. See their rower brochure for more details of the programme (Word format), and if you are interested in the coaching position, contact Lynne Engle.
Trials for the Northern region (UK) junior interregionals will be at Cambois RC on Sunday 1st March 2009. More details nearer the time.
Victor Mooney, the AIDS campaigner who hopes to row from Senegal to the Brooklyn Bridge, is launching a new fundraiser for his Goree Challenge, the Green Leaf campaign, in which $10 will paint a personalised green leaf on his ocean rowing shell. Mooney is rowing the 8000 miles to publicise efforts to stop the spread of AIDS - one of his brothers has died from the virus and another is living with it. The aim when he rows is to get 1 million US citizens tested for AIDS, plant 1 million trees worldwide, and give 1 million people in sub-Saharan Africa access to anti-retroviral drugs. After rowing to New York he plans to row from Djibouti to Abu Dhabi (United Arab Emirates), where his campaign has already received support from one sheikh.
Monday 6th October 2008
The results of Wear Long Distance Sculls are out (UK). There is also a results analysis by boat speed (PDF file).
Entries are open for the Tees Scullers Head on the same day as the Tees Long Distance Sculls (UK). Entries via OARA/email/post, by 2pm on Sunday 26th October.
Results of the Reading Small Boats Head (UK) are on the Mikrotime website and on the Reading Juniors website.
Saturday 4th October 2008
Urgent UK cancellation - Sadly Worcester Small Boats Head (UK) has had to be cancelled, due to high and rising river levels. Damn this rain! Second month in a row they've had to cancel an event, shame.
Friday 3rd October 2008
Rowing Voice vol 2 issue 10 now out � Duncan Holland on UK rowing, Hammer Smith on HRR and other diversions, Terry O'Neill on GB lightweight rowing, Chris Dodd on the book The Last Amateurs, David Tanner on what went right and wrong this summer, plus news, racing reports, notices, results, Rant, Good Read and Holiday Planner. And in the Enclosure in the Sky David Chipp is fondly remembered by his rowing friends. Visit the Voice site and download now for a great weekend read. Yearly subscription only �20, or �3 for a single issue.
Sad news (UK) - Longstanding Inverness RC member John Stevenson died on Thursday 25th September at his nursing home. The funeral will take place at 11:30am on Monday 6th October, at Inverness Crematorium. All his friends are invited.
FISA have opened nominations for the 2009 Thomas Keller Medal, awarded to athletes who have had outstanding careers in rowing, who demonstrate international success, a career overcoming obstacles, technical mastery, sportsmanship and legendary status. Nominations have to be in by 31st October 2008, and the medal can in principle be awarded up to five years after the end of an athlete's competitive career. It is usually awarded to those who have formally retired.
The draw for Clydesdale Scullers Head (UK) is online in PDF format.
News headlines - Shortlist of builders for rowing venue announced (London 2012, UK), Mahe lays out goal for others to follow (Northern Advocate, NZ), Champion rower dies at event (Pittsburgh Post Gazette, USA), Veteran rower Bill Payne wins gold - just two months after accident (This is Nottingham, cached story, UK), Unlucky Trott back on water (Stuff, NZ), Mattick beats them on his own (Oxford Mail, UK), Rowers discover body in Swan River (West Australia Today, Australia), Oxford Said Business School: Olympic success (FinChannel.com, USA), Mahe relives Olympic experience (Stuff, NZ), Woods is star of Wallingford show (Mike Rosewell, Oxford Mail, UK), Nurse's stock rising in national rowing circles (Independent and Free Press, Canada), Great Bay rowers excel at Meredith Bay (Foster's Daily Democrat, USA), Portugal to host 2010 European Rowing Champs (WorldRowing, FISA, making the good point that the 2010 Europeans are likely to be used as a senior championships, as they will be a full six weeks before the 2010 worlds in New Zealand), Rowing team of cancer survivors pulling together to compete in Boston (Rochester Democrat & Chronicle, USA), Rowing team strikes gold for the first time (The Eyeopener, Canada), Crew looking for supporters (Belmont Citizen-Herald, USA)
Thursday 2nd October 2008
The Scullers Head (UK) is open for business, and this year is offering limited edition pewter model sculls (from Anne Collenette) to the fastest male and female scullers of the day.
The River and Rowing Museum (UK) has launched the This Inspires Me exhibition, featuring objects celebrating 10 years of the museum. Visitors and online visitors are also asked to suggest their own favourite object from the Museum, and to suggest items in their own possession which could be displayed in the Museum. Download the PDF postcard to make an entry of your own.
New Zealand is looking for a new high performance manager (NZ). Applications close on 17th October. Full job description here.
FISA's athlete of the month is Dominic Monypenny (Australia's AM1x).
Wednesday 1st October 2008
The draw for Wear Long Distance Sculls (UK) is online in Excel format. See also the boating plan (Excel) and competitor instructions (Word).
Worcester's updated competitor pack (UK) includes the race order, map, competitor instructions and safety details. PDF format.
The draw for Chester Long Distance Sculls (UK) is online, PDF format.
Tuesday 30th September 2008
Update on David Parry (UK, see yesterday). There will be a private funeral for family only, and there is likely to be a memorial service later, though no date has yet been set. No flowers please, but donations to the Rowing Foundation or to the Wildlife Trust of South and West Wales.
Steve Williams book could save sinking ships (The Times, UK, with a slightly misleading title).
Monday 29th September 2008
Sad news (UK) - Henley Steward and former GB international David Parry died yesterday, after illness. He was chairman of the UK Rowing Foundation, had been captain of Walton RC for several years in his rowing era, and was a keen supporter of the National Schools Regatta. No other details available yet.
Rebecca Caroe is setting up a UK 'rowing unconference' aka 'rowing barcamp'. This is a way of generating discussion on a topic in a free-to-participate way. See the What to Expect page on the Barcamp site for an explanation. You can sign up for it on its Facebook page, or if you're not on Facebook, visit the thread on the rec.sport.rowing newsgrou and just reply to Rebecca that you want to come. Date Sunday 12th October, time 10am to 4pm, location Tideway Scullers School boathouse on Duke's Meadow, beside Chiswick Bridge.
Start order and competitor notes for the Marlow Rowers' Revenge Triathlon (UK) are now online (both will auto-download when you click, Excel and Word format respectively). James Cracknell and his South Pole racing partner Ed Coats have been given the lead-off spots.
Details of Monkton Bluefriars Small Boats Head (UK).
Huntingdon BC (UK) has a new website, slightly better updated than the old but as yet without any details of their upcoming head online. Guys, if you're reading this, please put an acknowledgement to Ewoud Dronkert on your site - you have used his animated gif rowers and that is the courtesy he requests in payment. Thanks.
Another club which has gone properly online recently is Cardiff City (Wales, UK), and they do have the poster for their small boats head up, in Word format.
Ergheads please note there is a double entry date for the British Indoor Rowing Championships (UK) - Monday 6th October for postal entries but a week later, 5pm on Monday 13th October, for online entries. Click on the ad-link above for main details and previous results.
Henley Royal Regatta's online shop has a sale on at present - I think it's anything with the price in red that has been reduced, and see 'special offers'.
Friday 26th September 2008
A reminder that entries for the Pairs Head (UK, 11th Oct) close on Monday 29th September. Entries via OARA preferred.
At the recent European national federations meeting last weekend it was decided to establish a European Junior Championships to be held annually over three days at the end of June in all world junior boat classes. The first EJC will be held in 2011, probably in Portugal, Belgium, Bulgaria or Italy.
Advance notice (UK) about the Cambridge Small Boats Head (Saturday 4th October; entries close 4pm Sunday 28th September) and Cambridge Autumn Head (Saturday 18th October; entries close 4pm Sunday 12th October). Details of both events can be found on the Rob Roy BC events page. <
Nothing directly to do with rowing (UK), but ITV are looking for contestants for a new game show, "The Colour of Money". They say: "Applicants do not have to have been on TV before or revise any subjects as this show is all about holding your nerve long enough to win some cash and there are no general knowledge questions to answer! We are looking for lively contestants of all ages (applicants must be over 18) to take part." According to the MIrror, "10 contestants face a bank of 20 cashpoints, each containing an unknown amount of dosh. Players choose to withdraw cash from 10 machines and have to decide when to shout 'stop'. The challenge is whether to play safe and win small, or gamble on a big payout but risk losing all if their machine runs dry." Anyway, if you're interested, email Laura Stebbing from the production company for an application form or more details.
Thursday 25th September 2008
The Nautical Club of Thessaloniki (Greece) is holding an Alexander the Great Regatta, which is the 16th annual version of their regular international regatta (5th October). Download the race notice and entry form, both in English and both Word format. The closing date was 17th September but since I've just been sent the notice of it, it's possible late entries might be accepted. The regatta has lots of junior small-boat categories (open to internationals), and senior W2x, M1x and M2-, all over 1000m in the Thessaloniki harbour.
Entrants for Marlow Long Distance Sculls (UK) please note if you wish to enter the J17 (men or women) events, you need to enter as J18 and then put a note on OARA, since the system doesn't yet have a facility for J17 entries.
A reminder that if you have an event to publicise, rowing or off-water, and particularly if you want to alert readers to it over the weekend when this page isn't so often updated, you can use the RS noticeboard. Free posts for club or personal events will be accepted (but not generally from companies).
The Dee Autumn Head information is online (UK). Note that the date has changed since the ARA year planner came out - it's now 1st November, the northwestern events having been rearranged so as to give a gap of two weeks between head-races.
An urgent notice - female rowers required for the first ever Indian Ocean Rowing Race in April 2009. See link for details.
In the news, Chester veteran rowing team smash records (Chester Standard, UK), Rowing makes successful bond for Zahran sisters (The Doings, USA), New therapy could be a quick fix for back pain (This is London, UK), UK Broads Authority helps rowing club buy British Olympian squad boat (BYM News, UK), Zac to be on A Question of Sport (Forester, UK), Rower makes most of summer by winning gold (UW Badger Herald, USA), Gold medalist return home (Bangor Daily News, USA), Dan's fans (Stamford Advocate, USA), Students float their boats (Western Weekender, Australia), Logan wins gold (Lincoln County News, USA), Cyclist Mark gets into shape to row the North Atlantic (Perthshire Advertiser, UK), Canberrans flock to salute Games champions (Canberra Times, Australia), Olympic hopefuls going for gold in 2012 (Get Surrey, UK), St Joe's Prep names Glavin new crew coach (Philadelphia Inquirer, USA), Rob Hamill embarks on next rowing challenge (3 News NZ, NZ), QSRF honours sportspersons, officials (Gulf Times, Qatar), O'Donnell's long and winding road to world championships (Canberra Times, Australia, on ex-rower Bridie O'Donnell), Perfect seas for rowing contest (The Cornishman, UK), Gold medalist Goodale visits Riley School (Village Soup Belfast, USA), Nicolas Cage flick latest film to recruit Hub oarsmen (Boston Herald, USA), Clifton stalwart all gold (Taranaki Daily News, NZ), Twins coy over training plans (Stuff, NZ).
And not as far as I know our type of rowing, but School outing tragedy claims 3 (News24, South Africa). Very sad.
Wednesday 24th September 2008
Urgent help needed (UK): - Maidstone Invicta are having trouble fulfilling their umpire requirements for the Maidstone Scullers Head this coming Sunday. They have their two regional umpires available and a training umpire has offered to help but they desperately need a third fully-qualified umpire. Please would any umpire who is able to help contact James Knight on 07887836100.
Pangbourne Junior Sculls (Sat 8th Nov, UK) is open for entries, on OARA only this year. Good alternative to the Fours Head for youngsters not racing in London.
Rowing Canada Aviron (Canada) is holding its national championships this weekend, though without most of the Olympians.
The Veteran Fours Head (9th Nov, UK) is now open for entries on OARA only. Closing date 23:59 on 31st October. FISA Veteran categories for both men and women are offered in 4+, 4- and 4x, also in 4x/4x+/4+ for novice veteran men and women, and 4x/4+ mixed veteran crews with two men and two women (excl. cox). The non-veteran events offered are Senior 3 quads and Senior 4 coxed fours and coxed quads. All non-veteran crews must be of at least Senior 4 status. More information on the website (above) which is now back in operation.
The draw for Maidstone Scullers Head (UK) is online.
Weybridge Silver Sculls (UK) is now open for entries on OARA. Information at the link.
Tuesday 23rd September 2008
The draw for Durham Primary Regatta (UK) is now online (Excel format).
Entries for Evesham Junior Head (UK) close at midnight this coming Friday, not the usual Saturday. See the link above for the poster, and rules for the Victor Ludorum - combined with the Autumn Head. Prize-giver at the Junior head will be Olympic champion Zac Purchase.
The poster for the NRC Autumn Sculling Series (UK) is online (PDF format).
Minutes for the latest Northern Rowing Council meeting (UK) are here (links to various documents, Word format).
Rowers pull together to celebrate Paralympic handover (ARA news, UK).
Marlow Long Distance Sculls (UK, 25th Oct), has an online poster (PDF). Entries via OARA only, and they close at 3pm on Saturday 18th October, race order to be published on Monday 20th Oct.
Newslinks - Charity pulling power (Border Counties Advertiser, UK), Going nowhere on 1180-mile triathlon (Portsmouth News, UK), Police championships (Journal Live, UK), Hannah breaks marathon record (Boston Standard, UK), Olympians and Paralympians welcomed home (ABC Online, Australia), Mystery man bails out rowers (Norwich Evening News, UK), Rowing on a grand scale (Journal Record, USA), Morley controls single sculls (Rockhampton Morning Bulletin, Australia), Sporting memorabilia joins watches and gems as eBay era transforms the pawnbroking game (The Times, UK), Southland rower French rewarded for 'all the work' (Southland Times, NZ), Community Rowing Inc to name boathouse after Harvard coach (Cambridge Chronicle, USA), Epic journey around Norfolk's coast (Norwich Evening News, UK), Divisions cost all sides dearly (Liam Gorman, Irish Times, Ireland).
And this is neat if you're a member of a London (UK) club - I wonder if we can work out which one it is. Two recent columns in the London Informer by 'Mad about Saffron': Rowing in the right direction and Missing the boat. The detective work begins here....
From Vesta RC Films Unlimited (UK), a VRC promotional video.
And their rivals a bit further upstream on the opposite bank: Auriol Kensington (better soundtrack, it's got to be said).
Monday 22nd September 2008
Full results for the European Rowing Championships on WorldRowing (FISA), and race reports in the news pages too. Greece topped the medals table with five golds.
From a couple of weeks ago, results of the Great River Race (UK).
Results of the Isis Sculls (PDF, UK) from yesterday.
Results of last weekend's Bradford Autumn Regatta (UK, PDF).
Results of yesterday's Boston Marathon (UK) are online in PDF format. Winners were Durham University (S1 M8+) in a little over three hours.
Going back a week, results from the Aberdeen Sprint (UK, PDF).
Sadly the Stourport Veteran & Junior Head on Saturday (UK) was cancelled due to unsafe river conditions.
A warning to those who use the river at Durham (UK) - including visitors for events - that the area between Durham ARC and the regatta start has become rather shallow. Boats are advised to stay close to the wall when going downstream and in the centre upstream, avoiding the other bank.
Novices Alastair Parker-Swift and Paddy Burrowes of Hurley, near Henley, will be rowing Lechlade to Southend this week - see their charity page for itinerary details and how to donate to the Angus Lawson Memorial Trust.
Rowing headlines - Survivors, dragon boaters, rowers and canoeists help raise $33,050 in the fight against breast cancer in Portland (Row2k, USA), Greece tops medals table at 2008 European Championships (press release, Row2k, USA), Think global, innovate local (hands-only rowing car, Chicago Sun-Times, USA), Kiwi Nilsson at Light Blues helm (Richard Moseley, Cambridge Evening News, UK), Hall full of memories (Nanaimo Daily News, Canada), Communities receive cash boost (East Anglian Daily Times, UK), Lift Bridge Regatta on Erie Canal draws a crowd (Rochester Democrat and Chronicle, USA), Runners able to soldier on (Ottawa Sun, Canada), Minister's healthy interest in fitness project on bus (Sheffield Star, UK), Motocross champ Ricky Carmichael\s dock raises concerns (Tallahassee Democrat, USA), 2008 Head of the Ohio (Pittsburgh Live, USA), My oarsome designs (Geelong Independent, Australia), Olympic gold medalists, breast cancer survivors raise over $83,000 at Seattle Row for the Cure (press release, USA), Epic sea voyage retraces Hebridean odyssey to oust Jacobites (The Times, UK), Homes hit as wild weather lashes Perth (The West Australian, Australia - state championships cancelled), Star returns, reality sinks in (Warrnambool Standard, Australia), star-hunting stuff from the Daily Mail (UK, featuring Matt and Dee Pinsent, see near the bottom), Zac Purchase expecting better at London Olympics (Birmingham Post, UK), Disabled take to the water to celebrate end of Paralympic Games (News Shopper, UK), Kathy Tolcser profile (Albany Times Union, USA), Teen's plan to send books to Liberia survives fiery truck accident (Buffalo News, USA, about a project run by an ex-rower), Bronze medallist to decide on 2012 future (YourCanterbury, UK), Nearly 150 boats, crews take part in regatta (Laconia Citizen, USA), Protect park: keep riverfront tranquil (Lansing State Journal, USA), Novices to row 193 miles (Henley Standard, UK), Struggle to find a new golden generation (The Times, UK), Ladies lasses rule the roost at Beira Lake (Sunday Times, Sri Lanka), 24th National Rowing Championships (Sunday Observer, Sri Lanka), Regatta will include rowers from 1984, 2008 US teams (Olympian, USA), Zoo serves up wild old time (Adelaide Now, Australia), Silver for women's eight (Sporting Life, UK), Riches wins rowing bronze (Bucks Free Press, UK), State honors its Olympians (Olympian, USA), Leeds Roller Dolls are rolling in lottery cash (Yorkshire Evening Post, UK), 'Coast clear' for new event (Nation News, Barbados), Buffalo Schools add rowing to its sports program (WGRZ-TV, USA), Trials for junior rowing team tomorrow (The Post, Pakistan), Welcome home celebration for Tas Olympians (ABC Online, Australia), Chch hopes eye elite squad (The Press, NZ), Rowing in good nick: Matheson (New Zealand Herald, NZ), Rowers target glory in London (New Zealand Herald, NZ), Rowing Olympians descend on Westport (Westport News, USA).
Friday 19th September 2008
Late news (UK): - Cambridge University has appointed Chris Nilsson, formerly of Rowing NZ, as their new chief coach. See the official press release, which is now also on the Boat Race website.
A group of friends are trying to start a London Irish Rowing Club. As yet they are just beginning but anyone interested in the club (rowing or social) should contact Brian Young via londonirishrowing@live.co.uk for information.
For rowing camps in Banyoles, see Agenda Sports & Elements, based at Club Natacio, Banyoles (Spain).
A reminder that Monmouth Autumn Head closes its entries at 12 noon on Sunday September 21st (UK). Entries by phone to John Griffiths on 01600 712738 or by email to regatta@monmouthrc.org.uk. Three divisions over a cobweb-clearing mile and a half. Details on the club website.
Thursday 18th September 2008
The Veteran Fours Head website (UK) is having trouble. Until the problems are resolved, all the relevant information will be here as an alternative address. Contact for the race will currently be vetfourshead@googlemail.com. Veteran categories (all FISA) are offered, and this year Senior 3 and Senior 4 non-veteran entries will also be accepted.
A website for Around Australia Rowing, which promotes touring rowing in Australia.
Interesting - Shimano to introduce rowing equipment (BikeRadar magazine, UK). Thanks RW.
Wednesday 17th September 2008
A reminder that entries for the Rowers' Revenge Triathlon (UK) close this coming Saturday. James Cracknell and Ed Coats are taking part, as part of their preparation for racing to the South Pole.
The Head of the River Fours (UK, Sat 8th November at 10:30am) is open for entries on OARA. Note that entries will close on Friday 24th October, or when 500 paid entries have been received, whichever is the sooner. Competitors also please make sure that when they enter, their ARA registration for the club they intend to race with is already valid for November. Placeholding entries are not ideal.
Tuesday 16th September 2008
Details of Reading Small Boats Head (UK, PDF poster) are online. For this year paper entries only, to 5 South Street, Caversham, Reading, RG4 8HY, closing date noon on Saturday 27th September. Contact >a href="http://www.readingrc.org">Reading Rowing Club for more details. Note that last year they had over 350 entries for 250 places.
Worcester SBH (UK) is open for entries on OARA. It closes at 5pm on Saturday 27th September - see the poster (PDF) for details.
MaxRigging.com, a blogsite with various handy resources for coaches and rowers, as well as several interesting interviews (USA).
Friday 12th September 2008
Sad news (UK) - David Chipp, HRR Steward, Leander member and venerable journalist, died aged 81 on Tuesday, apparently in his sleep. Obituaries in the Teleraph, Times, Reuters, the Canadian Press and several other international agencies.
Details of the Isis Sculls, to be held by City of Oxford on Sat 20th September (PDF poster, UK). Entries close at 6pm on 14th September, and competitors please note that the contact number on the poster has been changed. Adaptive events are included.
The BBC's coverage of the Paralympic rowing is in this programme (probably available only in the UK). Rowing finals news starts at 12 minutes 35 in to the programme and lasts for just over seven minutes. FISA information and links here.
Thursday 11th September 2008
Updating every few minutes on the Paralympic finals results - hit refresh to see the latest version.
AW1x - Clearly difficult conditions at Shunyi since the final was more than half a minute slower than times set earlier in the week. Britain bags the first gold medal of the Paralympic regatta, as Helene Raynsford leads from start to finish to win the women's arms-only single sculls. Finishing order (including B-final): Gold Great Britain (Helene Raynsford), silver Belarus (Liudmila Vauchok), bronze USA (Laura Schwanger), 4th UKR, 5th CHN, 6th BRA, 7th-12th ITA, ISR, KOR, HKG, POR, and POL did not start.
AM1x - Another start to finish lead for GBR. Finishing order: Gold Great Britain (Tom Aggar), silver Ukraine (Oleksandr Petrenko), bronze Israel (Eli Nawi), 4th CHN, 5th USA, 6th AUS, 7th-12th FRA, ITA, BRA, HUN, CAN, ESP.
TA2x - China get their first ever rowing gold, Zhou Yangjing and Shan Zilong bursting through the pack at halfway. Finishing order: Gold China, silver Australia, bronze Brazil, 4th ITA, 5th GBR, 6th POL, 7th-12th USA, UKR, GER, ISR, CAN, JPN.
LTA4+ - And Italy triumph in the last final, never challenged and setting a time just three seconds outside the world best despite slow conditions. Finishing order: Gold Italy, silver USA, bronze Great Britain, 4th GER, 5th CHN, 6th CAN, 7th-12th BRA, RSA, RUS, NED, DEN, ISR.
Hopefully there will be some Paralympic rowing coverage in the BBC highlights programme (19:00-20:00 tonight BST), but there's no rowing visible in FISA's Universal Sport link. Some footage of the rowing is likely to be uploaded later on the BBC Paralympic news page, though at present it's just showing the live TV feed which isn't scheduled to include rowing at all.
A link for last weekend's FISA World Masters Regatta in Trakai, Lithuania. PDF files of the results are here for day 1, day 2, day 3 and day 4. There's also a gallery from the regatta.
The entries and programme for the European Rowing Championships are out.
Poster online for St Neots Small Boats Head (UK, 5th October). There's also a mini-head for young juniors, entries close at 8pm on Sunday 28th September.
A reminder that British and ex-Oxford rowers Acer Nethercott, Hilary Powell and Alice Freeman have now started their Land's End to John O'Groats cycle ride, aiming to finish by 26th September. They are raising money for two different charities - the Cystic Fibrosis Trust and Cardiac Risk in the Young (C-R-Y).
Rowing headlines - Canoe star Brabants to try rowing (BBC, UK), Rowers ready to raise the bar (Metro, UK), British rower makes history (Yahoo! Eurosport, UK, and similar on all the quick-news sites), Ha Tinh and Thanh Hoa nab golds (VietNanNet, Vietnam), 'Oar' inspiring stroke campaign to be launched (Medical News Today, UK), OSU crew hires Winkler (Corvallis Gazette Times, USA), A study in perseverance (Salem News, USA), Club hits 125 with luck, perseverance (Stuff, NZ), Bay rowing pair win U21 gold (Hawke's Bay Today, NZ), Learning the sport (Suffolk Free Press, UK), Rowing NZ takes lessons from the Olympics (almost pointlessly short piece from Newstalk ZB, NZ), Rowing champion now disillusioned (Statesman, India), Paralympic rowers paddle to finals (Hamilton Scores, Canada), Kent duo through to Beijing rowing final (Kent Online, UK), Olympic effort by university graduates (Independent, UK), Students appeal to media to cover lesser-known sports (Thaindian.com, Thailand), Curtains for promising Odisha woman rower (Kalinga Times, India), Weekend of rowing to welcome Olympians (The Day, USA), Elite rower is a new dad and a dedicated runner (St Louis Post-Dispatch, USA), Olympics 2012: transport plans for Dorney Lake (Maidenhead Advertiser, UK), Cancer victim leaves boat to club (Henley Standard, UK), Support stuns Olympic hero Tom James (Daily Post, UK), Drama at rowing event (Beccles and Bungay Journal, UK), In sculptures inspired by boats, meaning is fluid (Boston Globe, USA), Special medal marks rower Jessica's oarsome achievements (Journal Live, UK), Final summer for Community Rowing golden for Glandorf (Wicked Local Roslindale, USA).
Tuesday 9th September 2008
Results from the Paralympic rowing regatta at the official Beijing website.
The ARA's 2009-2013 strategic plan (UK) has been posted on the NERN website.
Details are online for the Worcester Small Boats Head (UK, 5th October, PDF poster). Entries close on Saturday 27th September on OARA only, at 5pm.
PIctures of the Worcester Regatta floods on RowTV (UK).
Thanks from the organisers of the Cambridge Autumn Regatta (UK) to everyone at the event who was so understanding after they had to abandon racing due to a thunderstorm. And they were on target to finish to time....
Weybridge RC (UK) are holding a sponsored row on Sunday 14th September, weather permitting, to raise money for new boats. They're rowing from Henley to Weybridge, about 60km, and beg a wave and a cheer from anyone they pass (M8+, W8+, J8x+, J4x, J2x). Donations can be made to the bank party on the day or sent to the club.
New Zealand international Nicky Coles (W2-) has announced her retirement with immediate effect.
Monday 8th September 2008
Results from the World University Rowing Championships on this direct link from the official website (Belgrade, Serbia, all in English, results in PDF format). There is also a gallery of photos under the Press link.
The Gallagher Great Race was won by Cambridge University's men (UK), beating Waikato University (NZL) by 2.5 seconds in 16:00 minutes with a very tight close finish against a strong stream. The women's event was won by Waikato, who led Sydney (AUS) from early on. See 'news' for the latest reports.
Friday 5th September 2008
Sorry for the gap. Been rather ill.
UK cancellation - Worcester Autumn Regatta has been cancelled due to high and still rising river levels (already over the towpath).
Andy Triggs Hodge (GBR M4-) is on the BBC's Question of Sport tonight at 7:30pm, along with Chris Hoy, Victoria Pendleton and Christine Ohuruogu. There ought to be a repeat at some point next week but I can't find it - note that this show is notoriously bad at being put online on the BBC iPlayer, probably because of copyright issues over some of the footage. Hopefully since it's an Olympic special that won't be the case, but they do tend to chop the show down to just 10-15 minutes online if there is a problem.
Coming up this weekend (Sunday 7th September), the Gallagher Great Race (New Zealand). This year it's Univ of Waikato (NZ) vs Sydney Univ (Australia) at 12 noon NZL time for the women, and Univ of Waikato (NZ) vs Cambridge Univ (UK) at 1pm NZL time for the men. NZL is GMT+12 hours. The races will be streamed live on the website this year.
FISA are selling off the adaptive boats they have had built for use during the Beijing Paralympics, once the Games are over. I can't see it on the FISA website so download the details directly here (PDF file).
UK clubs who want to publicise their new start-of-season plans and meetings contact The Tideway Slug to put themselves on Club Hopping, her useful page of what's on when. Write to tidewayslug@aol.com with the following information: Squad meeting dates - Coaches - Subscription costs and other info - and be warned that