Friday 29th February 2008
- Sad news (UK) - former LRC and Twickenham oarsman Peter Ament has succumbed to cancer after a lengthy fight.
- And more (UK) - Much loved Southport rowing teacher Peter Little dies aged 63 (Sefton & West Lancashire news).
- Boating times (Word), start list (PDF) and competitor instructions (Word) for the Scullery Head next Monday (UK).
- James Cracknell's challenge website has been updated with blogs and pictures from his Channel row and the first two days' cycle.
- Reports on Cambridge's Lent bumps from the Cambridge Evening News (UK) - Officials' hand is forced by collision and Rogue yacht ties crews in a Knott.
- Newslinks - Sir Steve's sporting giants (BBC Sport, UK), Rowers cross the Atlantic in 51 days (ASU Web Devil, USA), How sport has helped rowers have normalcy (News OK, USA), Heading out on a Thames case (Crewe Guardian, UK), URI-bound Salamone takes home a bronze (Westport-News, USA), New Zealand pre-Olympic rowing duel begins on Sunday (Xinhua, China), Redgrave makes giant strides for Team 2012 (Independent, UK), Tall order for Steve Redgrave's sporting giants (Telegraph, UK), Brady's bunch of medals are hard earned (Marlborough Express, NZ), Sutherland happy with world champs progress (Marlborough Express, NZ), Olympic seats up for grabs at rowing trials (Marlborough Express, NZ), Sir Steve Redgrave's recruits reaching heights in pursuit of Olympic dream (The Times, UK), Rowing showdown riveting (TVNZ, NZ), Best team needed from rowing trials (Radio New Zealand, NZ), Drysdale confident of success (Radio NZ, NZ), Karapiro showdown: Waddell v Drysdale (Stuff, NZ), The story so far (Stuff, NZ), The selection process (Stuff, NZ), Oar-inspiring views of the river (Buckinghamshire Free Press, UK), Geelong rowers power to glory (Geelong Advertiser, Australia), Redgrave: I would compete at Beijing (Sporting Life, UK), Steve Trapmore - new head of rowing and Olympic ambassador appointed (press release, Imperial College, UK), Indoor rowers in Edinburgh glory (Helensburgh Advertiser, UK), Six indoor rowing records broken (WorldRowing, FISA), Beyis and Hunt take the top individual sporting honours (Hereford Times, UK), Naked rowers win Atlantic charity race (Chester Standard, UK), Gravesend rowers impress (News Shopper, UK), Riverside plaque marks oar-some achievement (Ely Standard, UK), Steve Redgrave on his Fairtrade clothes range, charity and giving up the oars (Interview, Smart Planet, UK).
Thursday 28th February 2008
- James Cracknell has successfully rowed the Channel in a modified Burgashell during his Cross-Continent Challenge (UK), though he did briefly capsize. His time was 6 hours and 1 minute. He's now cycling through France and Spain before swimming the Straits of Gibraltar to Africa. News pieces - Record attempt almost scuppered by rough seas (Horsham Today), David Walliams reveals shark fear prior to Sport Relief swim (Mirror), Row, row, down I go... Champ gets sinking feeling (Daily Star, UK), Olympic gold rower gets that sinking feeling (Times), Cracknell capsizes minutes into crossing (Crawley Observer), Cyclotherapy: Is Cracknell crackers? (Independent), James Cracknell's Sport Relief challenge (Telegraph), and My icy dunking ordeal (James Cracknell, Telegraph). JC can be sponsored for Sport Relief online.
- Ken Hastie has started a web page about the old Northern Rowing Club (UK) as part of his NERN history archive.
- A preview of the Lent bumps (UK) in the Cambridge Evening News.
- A BBC local news video clip - Rowers back on the water (about Evesham, UK).
- Other rowing headlines - Formby rower Stuart Kershaw breaks Atlantic world record (icSefton and West Lancs, UK), Personal best: does weight lifting make a better athlete? (New York Times, USA), Mahe versus Drysdale - who goes to Beijing? (TV3 News, NZ, possibly with a rather wrong headline, unless they're trying to make a subtle point about psychology?), Greenwich Crew fares well at annual event in Boston (Greenwich Post, USA), Rookie rowers take out national title (Auckland Times, NZ), Youngest Olympian reclaims title (Oxford Mail, UK), Medals would be oarsome (Orange Central Western Daily, Australia), Olympics highlight Beijing water woes (Associated Press, UK), Hughes at Olympic Training Center: hopes for rowing berth for 2008 (Ludington Daily News, USA), Student sailors raising money for trip to Finland (Cape Cod Chronicle, USA), Canadians race Cambridge in friendly competition (Row2k, USA), Portora win some and lose (Fermanagh Herald, Northern Ireland), Clifton pair manage silver in tough final (Taranaki Daily News, NZ).
Wednesday 27th February 2008
- From FISA, update on the Russian rowing federation, announcing that Russia's new executive elections will take place on 29th March. Also, Winter break for rowers at Team Cup.
- The Head of the River draw (UK) is online.
- Applications may now be received for tickets for the Henley Boat Races Ball (UK) on Sunday 23rd March. An application form (Word file) should be filled in and sent in with cheques, closing date 10th March. Full instructions in the file.
- I'm told reliably that the new piece in yesterday's NZ clippings saying that their squad trials would be open to the public was misleading. The lake itself has sides open to the public and Rowing NZ were never going to attempt to restrict access. However, they are not inviting the media to be present and will not give media access to the athletes until it's all finished and the selection declared.
- Information on the Scottish Schools Head (UK, Word file) is on the SARA website.
- In addition to the full-time Cardiff water assistant job listed yesterday (UK), two more - assistant facilities officer and casual water activity assistant. Closing date for both is this Friday.
- Press links - Success for Inst rowers (Coleraine Today, Northern Ireland), Lipitor pitchman gets the boot (New York Times, USA, representative of many articles), Silver for Phil indoors (Berwick Today, UK), Grey rowers earn six medals (Herald Eastern Cape, South Africa), Boat show primed to go (Nelson Mail, NZ), Waddell's taking fast track to Beijing (Marlborough Express, NZ), Row Hard No Excuses (review, Variety, USA), Rowing showdown captivates New Zealand public (Guardian, UK), Ready, set, row for Aussie title (Bundaberg NewsMail, Australia), Costs delay rowing team upgrade at CHS (Dearborn Press and Guide, USA), No facilities for public, but media now welcome at row-off (TV3, NZ), Rowing NZ promoters miss the boat (Stuff, NZ), Kinross rowers snare bagful of medals at Canberra meet (Orange Central Western Daily, Australia), CRASH-B's on ice (Row2k, USA), China's currency sprints into the fast lane (press release, UK), Welsh capital set to get its own varsity boat race (icWales, UK).
Tuesday 26th February 2008
- Rob Bristow (NZ) has put together information and pictures from the New Zealand National Championships on his R R World site. It includes a comprehensive list of results.
- Results from Norwich Head (UK, Excel format).
- Results from Aberdeen Eights Head (UK, PDF format).
- Results from the Medway Small Boats Head (UK).
- Results from the BUSA Head (UK) - not listed under their News yet but available via the 2007-8 Championships menu.
- City of Bristol Head (UK) results are out, and there is a picture gallery on the BBC website, the first image of which is the BBC's 'England Big Picture' currently on their England news page.
- The provisional draw for the Yorkshire Head (UK) is online. The organisers remind entrants that the print draws (which you should receive today or tomorrow) contain important competitor information for each individual crew, and crews must ensure they read and understand it. The website (above) has links to the same information.
- Information for the Lent Bumps (Cambridge, UK) which start today is on the CUCBC front page.
- Cardiff Council (Wales, UK) have an opening for a full-time water activity assistant, which requires a coaching qualification in one of rowing, canoeing, sailing or windsurfing. Details and application forms on the link, closing date Friday 7th March.
- A press releease for the Welsh Varsity Boat Race (UK) between Cardiff and Swansea universities.
- Rowing in the news - Oar-some idea! (icWales, UK), When Thunder starts rolling; an underdog for Beijing, former sergeant remains determined (Sudbury Star, Canada), Pfizer pulls Lipitor ads featuring Jarvik (Charlotte Observer, USA), Steve's marathon row (Pontefract and Castleford Express, UK), Island of debris disrupts regatta (Worcester News, UK), Rowing store staff raise charity cash (Norwich Advertiser, UK), Detritus is ruining our reputation (Redditch Advertiser, UK), Rower eyes London (Hills News, Australia), Scull that! (Melbourne Community Voice, Australia), Carter has some wisdom for Drysdale and Waddell (Newstalk ZB, NZ), Nelson wins the most national champ titles (Nelson Mail, NZ), Rowers' duel in the clear (Stuff, NZ), Who should represent NZ in the single sculls in Beijing? (New Zealand Herald, NZ), Tom's record claim takes a dive (The Sun, UK), Medal haul shows team is on track (Dominion Post, NZ), Daley is not the youngest Olympian (Daily Mail, UK, from the same BOA press release as the Sun, but with a picture), Twaddle ready to change boats if necessary (Newstalk ZB, NZ), Yasmin's on way to GB selection (Evesham Journal, UK), Success for seniors and vets in race (Worcester News, UK), No rowing back for club's new boat (Northern Echo, UK), No bat, no oars, no coach (Maine Campus Online, USA), Rowers awash with medals (Paisley Daily Express, UK).
Monday 25th February 2008
- Results from yesterday's C.R.A.S.H-B.'s, the world indoor rowing championships (USA). Open winners were Paolo Loriato (HM, Fiamme Gialle, Italy, 5-52.4); Tess Gerrand (HW, unaffiliated USA, 6-43.2); Henrik Stephansen (LM, Furese, Denmark, 6-02.2); and Sonia Boubeta (LW, Spain, 7-10.4~). Stephansen's time is a new world record in lightweight men's indoor rowing.
- Olaf Tufte (current M1x Olympic champion, by the way), has put up pictures of him doing his 5km test getting 15:09.3 recently.
- A website with rowing clips (France). It's unclear if they're re-hosting or just embedding the clips, so I hope they have permission for those they've copied. Cute Lego clip though, and they have footage from yesterday's CRASH-B's already up.
- The same site has a Google map with French rowing events shown month by month.
- Draw for the Women's Eights Head (UK).
- Stampfli UK have just launched their new ultra-stiff ST1 Lightweight single. No details on the website yet but contact them for more information. The ST1 Heavyweight single will be available later in the year.
- Results from division 1 and division 2 of Worcester Head (UK, PDF format).
- Results from Runcorn Spring Eights (UK).
- A bit on RowTV about Edinburgh captains aim to row the Atlantic (UK).
- Rowing headlines - Rowing NZ denies media (TVNZ, NZ), Waddell takes Drysdale to school (TVNZ, NZ), Waddell smokes Drysdale (TVNZ video clip, NZ), Golds scarce at Karapiro (Marlborough Express, NZ), Blowing the opposition out of the water (Waikato Times, NZ), Waddell looks cert for Games (Waikato Times, NZ), Pressure mounts on Drysdale (Newstalk ZB, NZ), Not just a single race to decide Olympic rowing spot (Radio New Zealand, NZ), Champion has a week to close huge gulf (New Zealand Herald, NZ), 48 hours: Drysdale v Waddell - the most riveting show in town (New Zealand Herald, NZ), Rowers perform with distinction (Timaru Herald, NZ), Bridgewater adds quadruple-sculls crown to tally (The Press, NZ), Three from four to Waddell (The Press, NZ), Advantage to Waddell (Stuff, NZ), Success on the water for Wanganui women (Wanganui Chronicle, NZ), Southlanders pick up bucketful of medals (Southland Times, NZ), Atlantic rower aims to cross two other oceans (Bolton News, UK), Bred into adventure (Anchorage Daily News, USA), Waddell a step closer to dream return in Beijing (Guardian, UK), Never too old for Ironman (Auckland Times, NZ), What's the deal with... the rowers in front of Funger? (GW Hatchet, USA), Gerrand wins world indoor rowing title (Yale Daily News, USA), Local girl aims for two Olympic medals in two sports (This is London, UK, on Rebecca Romero, with a slightly different spin on her retirement from rowing), Portage Lakes man 'rows' to Big Apple (Canton Repository, USA), Drysdale gets Olympic lifeline (Stuff, NZ), Cracknell going solo for his biggest challenge (Daily Mail, UK), Waddell throws oar in the works (New Zealand Herald, NZ), Hearing to decide whether glass building can replace pier (MyTown Bay of Plenty, NZ), Rowing group to christen old boat (Vallejo Times-Herald, USA), Uru brothers rue the ones that got away at nationals (Southland Times, NZ), Dredge money: Shays asked to help secure initial funds (Greenwich Time, USA), Windy battle at Barrington (Mercury, Australia), Rower fined after assault (Gazette Live, UK), Paraplegic's Atlantic feat honored (Long Beach Press-Telegram, USA), Drysdale is not deterred by second place (Newstalk ZB, NZ), Toon puts his heart into medicine (The Age, Australia), Sport Relief challenge (Telegraph, UK), UNC women's rowing team to practice in Pamlico for a week (Sun Journal, USA), Evers-Swindell wins single scull (New Zealand Herald, NZ), Weather forces reschedule at rowing champs (Newstalk ZB, NZ), CP Singh Deo elected RFI president (Hindu, India), Geelong rower Phoebe Stanley makes Olympic squad (Geelong Advertiser, Australia), This river runs deep (Telegraph, UK), Bond enhances glowing rowing reputation (Stuff, NZ), Waddell selfish, Drysdale the man, say spectators (Stuff, NZ), Warming up to row Indian Ocean (WorldRowing, FISA), Time for Sally Robbins to say she's sorry (Melbourne Herald, Australia), Back on dry land after epic journey (Daily Echo, UK), Chester rower forced to pull out of GB team (Chester Standard, UK, not as serious a hiccup for Tom James as the headline makes it seem), It's a case of different strokes for indoor rower Jack (Borders Today, UK), Tassie six for Olympics (Mercury, Australia), Star student shines at rowing nationals (Wanganui Chronicle, NZ), Australians show how to be good sports (Financial Times, UK), Winds nearly sink twins at rowing nationals (Stuff, NZ), Lay Down Sally on outer for Olympics team (News.com, Australia), Rowing club retains championship (Murray Valley Standard, Australia), Beijing anti-dopers resigned to failure (Telegraph, UK), The powerhouse (Daily Examiner, Australia), 130 crews compete in head of river race (Worcester News, UK), Rowing's fast riser (New Zealand Herald, NZ), Bristol students excel at rugby and rowing (HULIQ, UK, with what looks like a scoop on the GB WURCs team, which has not yet been annunced).
- An obituary of Charles F. Kain (Philadelphia Inquirer, USA).
Sunday 24th February 2008
- Results from Reading University Head (UK).
- Waddell dominates single sculls final from Rowing New Zealand (NZ). Plus New Zealand men's single sways Waddell's way from WorldRowing (FISA).
- Bumps from Oxford's Torpids on the official website (UK). The following crews are likely to get blades for bumping up at least one each day: Magdalen M1 (headship), W1, W2 and M4; St Catz W1 (headship); Christ Church M1; Pembroke W1, M2, M3, W3; New College W1; Somerville W1 and M1; Balliol M1, W1, W2, W3; Hertford M1 and M3; Univ W1 and W2; St Edmund Hall M1; Brasenose W4; Exeter M3. Some of the above may not be awarded blades (it's decided within colleges) if they were bumped down as well as up during the regatta.
Friday 22nd February 2008
- The provisional Schools Head entry list is online (UK) - the organiser requests that schools check their entries are correct and if not, let him know by Sunday evening so that he can issue the draw on Monday morning.
- The Inside Sport programme (mentioned yesterday, UK) is now viewable via the BBC Sport website (.ram file).
- I am told there will be no Welsh Open Regatta this year (UK), though there will be one next year.
- Missed from a couple of days ago - My drugs test confirms IOC must bulk up to win fight against cheats and An idiot's guide to Olympic cheating, both by Matthew Pinsent in the Times (UK).
- And Grainger on Olympics (Maidenhead Advertiser, UK).
Thursday 21st February 2008
- I missed putting this up in time unfortunately - Matt Pinsent did an Inside Sport special last night on how Beijing is getting ready for the Olympics (BBC, UK). It's not on the BBC iPlayer, but there is a summary article, and a photo gallery from the feature on the Inside Sport homepage. The programme is also due to be repeated on Saturday 23rd February at 1:10pm GMT.
- A website for Space Saver Rowing Solutions (Australia), selling oar and rigger brackets, sliding racks and other storage products for boathouses.
- There are still a few tickets left for past members of Monmouth School rowing club (UK) to attend their club ball on Saturday 8th March. Email D.Blackham@monmouthschool.org for details and tickets.
- Rowing headlines - Crews from Australia, Poland to take on UW (Seattle Times, USA), Fee continues amid controversy (University Daily Kansan, USA), Lansing City Council delays official boat club talk (Lansing State Journal, USA), PK Singla elected joint secretary (end news item, Punjab Newsline, India), Rowing tension mounting (Sportal press release, NZ), Sally lays bare her Olympic hopes (News.com, Australia), 'Lay Down' Sally Robbins vows to fight for Beijing spot (West Australian, Australia), Lightweights shine - Waikato eight looks ominous (Scoop, NZ), Central rowers given thumbs up (Marlborough Express, NZ), Nelson rowers in finals (Nelson Mail, NZ), comments from readers on Sally Robbins (Perth News, Australia), On your marks, get set... ...for Team Visa Serbia (Info Economy, Serbia), All aboard for Beijing (Tasmanian Mercury, Australia), Evers-Swindell makes single sculls final (NZ City, NZ), Good results at Carrick (Fermanagh Herald, Ireland), Nicky lends a helping hand (Barking & Dagenham Post, UK), On the water (Hunts Post, UK), Rowing overseas (Plain Dealer, USA), Great start to new year for WBC (Waterford Today, Ireland).
- Tribute to a travel pioneer, an obituary for Malcolm Safford, formerly of St Neot's RC (Hunts Post, UK).
- Farewell old friend, an obituary of Maurie Reddan, Nepean RC (Western Weekender, Australia).
Wednesday 20th February 2008
- Entries are open for the North of England Head (UK) hosted by Royal Chester RC. Details on the link including race map, safety plan and competitor instructions. Entries close on Sat 1st March 2008 - see PDF event poster for full details.
- Start order for Torpids 2008 (Oxford, UK, PDF format) plus the section of information about the racing.
- Results of the South Yorkshire HORR (UK) in Excel format.
- Rowing headlines - Cold contributed to rowing coach's death (WAND, USA), Olympics: roadshow entertains young people (Epping Forest Guardian, UK), Pulling her weight (State Hornet, USA), Bennett the benchwarmer: tales of the ergometer (Cornell Daily Sun, USA - another varsity piece but they're sometimes worth including even though I don't normally), Marlborough's golden rowers return home with 21-medal haul (Marlborough Express, NZ), Bay golden girl NZ's top rising talent (Hawke's Bay Today, NZ), Olympian Green rows into Grand Prix celebrity challenge (Paddock Talk, Australia), No 'plane' sailing for elite on opening day of champs (Waikato Times, NZ), Why Scotland may have missed boat over Olympic training facilities (The Herald, UK), Rowers shine at State (Nowra South Coast Register, Australia), Tough going at State championships (Manning River Times, Australia), Kenya's lone Olympian yet to begin training due to lack of facilities (Daily Nation, Kenya), Rower overcomes sea sickness and sharks to cross Atlantic (Auckland Times, NZ), Waddell, Drysdale into singles final (TVNZ, NZ), Rowers in medal spree at Nagambie (Bendigo Advertiser, Australia), Drysdale and Waddell into final (New Zealand Herald, NZ), Big Two too fast for Cohen (The Press, NZ), Timaru rowers off to a good start at Karapiro (Timaru Herald, NZ), James River rowers excel at erg competition (Midlothian Exchange, USA), Pupil fired up for special ride home (Timaru Herald, NZ), Aussie rower Drew Ginn asks Sally Robbins to come clean (Melbourne Herald Sun, Australia), Rocking the boat (Daily Telegraph, Australia), Robbins, Sens struggle in Athens reunion (Sydney Morning Herald, Australia), UK-based Nigerian qualifies for Beijing Olympics (The Tide, Nigeria, currently unavailable but website may go back up later today), International body wants Nigeria's plans for rowing (The Tide, Nigeria, ditto), Walliams joins Cracknell challenge (Charities Aid Foundation, UK), S Niagara rowers win 11 medals (Welland Tribune, Canada), Local high school rowers place well in St Catharines (CD98.9, Canada), Visiting crews steal the limelight (New Zealand Herald, NZ).
Tuesday 19th February 2008
- Rowing won big at the Halberg Awards today (New Zealand) - Mahe Drysdale was Sportsman of the Year, though just lost out to shot-putter Valerie Vili for the overall Halberg Award; the M4- were Team of the Year; and young sculler Emma Twigg won the Emerging Talent Award. One of many similar articles here.
- The Tenby Sea Rower Club (UK) is planning to race the 2008 Celtic Challenge from Arklow, Ireland, to Aberystwyth, Wales on 3rd-4th May. The Challenge entries have closed, though there is a waiting list in case anyone drops out. TSRC are raising money via a Justgiving page, and will be writing about their training on their blog. TSRC also has a website with information about the Welsh Celtic Longboat League, the boats, and the standard history of the Celtic Challenge.
- BUSA Rowing (UK) are holding an open forum at Nottingham Rowing Club on Saturday 23rd February, to coincide with the BUSA Head, starting at 6pm. The invitation and agenda (Word format) includes the following: "This session in Nottingham will give those with an interest in contributing to BUSA Rowing, the opportunity to feed into final plans for the remaining events in the 2007/08 calendar, but more importantly to help develop a shared vision for Season 2008/09 and to agree a process by which a team can be put together to support the office in delivering that plan."
- The Henley Boat Races (UK) are seeking volunteers (probably alumni of the races) who can help sell programmes along the towpath and marshal in the car park. The more volunteers, the shorter the shifts involved. This year's races are being held on Sunday 23rd March (Easter Sunday) with racing from 1:30pm to 4pm. Those able to help should email hbr@rowingservice.com which will be forwarded to the volunteer coordinator.
- The provisional draw for Medway Fours Head (UK) is online.
- Draw for Reading Head (UK) is up, with the two divisions being led off by the Oxford Blue Boat and Isis respectively.
- Results from Tyne Head (UK) on the NERN website.
- SARA (Scotland) has put out a request for tenders from clubs to do the catering for the Scottish Championships and Strathclyde Park Regatta (Word document).
- More rowing news - Hore the hottest rower at Olympic trials (Sydney Morning Herald, Australia), Robbins and former team-mate struggle in trials (ABC Online, Australia), Rowers vie for national titles (Stuff, NZ), YMCA, United Theatre and rowing to benefit (Gisborne Herald, NZ), Kinross' record medal haul (Orange Central Western Daily, Australia), 'Nautical nurses' cross Atlantic (BBC News, UK), Orissa top medals tally (Hindu, India), Building for Beijing (a profile of world champion Tom Aggar on BBC Sport, UK), ASU duo rows Atlantic for charity (Arizona State University, USA), Schoolboy pair turn heads in Coast race (Dominion Post, NZ - although the Coast to Coast is kayaking, the article's about two rowers), South has strong chances (Southland Times, NZ), Stubborn Sally Robbins the rower lets oars talk (Courier Mail, Australia).
- Teen wanted to be a rescue pilot (Stuff, NZ), an obituary of former rower James Taylor, who was killed in an air crash over Wellington on Sunday.
Monday 18th February 2008
- Results from the FISA Team Cup (Seville, Spain) - pick FTC for the first day (1000m) and Regata International de Andalucia for the second day (500m). I'm pretty sure Spain won the Team Cup on points - see 'Actualidad' for news, translate via Babelfish for a rough version in your language. (Love the mention of the 'masculine equipment of Great Britain' shining in the English translation....)
- Also from Seville last week, a Telegraph webcast on the GB M4-, part of their 'road to Beijing' series (UK).
- See Four wins for reshuffled squad and Sprint wins in Seville, the press releases from GB Rowing (UK).
- Who lost their Fanny at Trent Head (UK)?. OK, own up. Which muppets left their coxless four behind at Trent Head? The hapless shell is called 'Fanny' (yes, really) and was abandoned after racing this weekend. Mortified owners should contact the race organisers to claim their property, and may have to endure some sniggering.
- Provisional results from the Head of the Trent (UK), won by a mile by the Cambridge Blue Boat, with Goldie second.
- There will be a service of thanksgiving for Tim Hooper (UK) at 2:30pm on Thursday 21st February, at St John's Church, Hartford, Northwich. No flowers please - donations to the Prostate Cancer Charity instead. See the Northwich RC website for more details.
- Results from Hammersmith Women's & Juniors' Head (UK).
- Results from the fours and eights divisions of Burway Head (UK).
- Results from the GB junior trials at Boston (UK, PDF format).
- Results from the Inverness Head - division 1 and division 2 (Scotland, UK). Also a press release with winners list on the Inverness RC news page.
- City of Oxford (UK) are holding a boat-naming on Sunday 24th February in honour of the late Paul Hiscock, who died in 2006. Friends of Paul and the club are invited to join them for the naming at 1pm followed by a buffet lunch in the club bar.
- City of Oxford (UK) are also in the process of launching a new website - URL www.oxfordrowingclub.org.uk - though as yet there is little information on the new site (more on the old URL).
- Now that entries are closed for the Head of the River (UK), a reminder that the race instructions are online, and should be read by all crews. Other helpful links on the HORR front page.
- Press links catching up from the last few days - He's a Strait guy (Chortle, UK), Fernie rower completes solo 5500-km Atlantic race (Vancouver Sun, Canada), How to give up smoking: row 5500km across an ocean solo (Sydney Morning Herald, Australia), Absegami rowers win indoor regatta (Press of Atlantic City, USA), Reshuffled Britain strike FISA Team Cup gold (Rachel Quarrell, Telegraph, UK), Robbins revives Beijing hopes (Sydney Morning Herald, Australia), UB observes National girls and Women in Sport day (University of Buffalo Spectrum, USA), Tough challenge for Central RPC without many of its top performers (Marlborough Express, NZ), Ninth straight win (Dispatch Online, South Africa), Chain-smoking, seasick Aussie rows across the Atlantic (Melbourne Herald Sun, Australia), Katherine Grainger aims for rowing gold in Beijing (Patrick Kidd, Times, UK), Services starts well (Hindu, India), Sally's second wind (Melbourne Herald Sun, Australia), Pills, celebrity doctors and artificial hearts (Inside Bay Area, USA - a summary of the Lipitor/Jarvik controversies), Sydney man completes marathon voyage (LiveNews, Australia), Welsh ace finds road to Olympics tough (icWales, UK), Rat remains out of reach (Daily Texan Online, USA), Upper Acushnet workshop unveils boathouse, other plans (South Coast Today, USA), American Cancer Society benefit sailing regatta expands, moves to Mayville (Jamestown Post-Journal, USA), Maritime museum wins Greenway grant (Mid-Hudson News, USA), First Australian completes trans-Atlantic rowing race (The Age, Australia), Coxless four's defeat fuels Olympic dream (Simon Hart, Sunday Telegraph, UK), Olympic legends demand British athletes must be given freedom to stage Beijing Games protests (Daily Mail, UK), Dwibedi bags double (Hindu, India), Almost-Echo Bay boy rows across the Atlantic (SooToday, USA), Students take on Atlantic challenge (Preston Citizen, UK), On the high seas to raise funds (Midhurst and Petworth Today, UK), 'It feels like we rowed it with her' (Bolton News, UK), Ocean race nears end (The Age, Australia), Photo finish tipped for Atlantic race (West Australian, Australia), Rowing programs planning celebration (Salem Statesman Journal, USA), Tidewater donates shell to Vancouver Lake Crew (Columbian, USA), Rowers in 24-hour fundraiser for team, competitions (Burnaby Now, Canada), Great Miami Rowing Club plans to hit the water (Hamilton Journal News, USA), The rowing lifestyle (part of CSTV's varsity crew coverage, USA), Rowers given chance to stake Olympic claim (Martin Cross, Guardian, UK), Rowing club hit by tornado gets a big gift (KATU, USA), The 40 year storm: change comes to the 106th (or 107th) IRA Regatta (Row2k, USA), Atlantic joy for Peter and Tim (Fortnightly Tenerife News, Spain), Iowa plans to spend $60 million on upgrades (KPTM-TV, USA), Readers pick their top Waikato wonders (Lake Karapiro in the Waikato Times, NZ), Eight ends 40-year drought at regatta (Timaru Herald, NZ), Matthew looks for love on US reality show (Harlow & Bishop's Stortford Citizen, UK), Sally down but not out (Daily Telegraph, Australia), Tomkins' heart of gold (Daily Telegraph, Australia), Call of the water: rowing provides and all-body workout (Bellingham Herald, USA), 'He told me I would be dead before I heard the bang if the sniper opened fire' (Dan Snow in the Belfast Telegraph, UK), It's strike three for Robbins (Sydney Morning Herald, Australia), Rower Rachel breaks world record (This is Lancashire, UK), Flushed away (Hackney Gazette, UK), Robbins still in frame but only just (The Age, Australia), James sets sights on Olympic bid (icWales, UK), Ferg makes it two in a row (Wanganui Chronicle, NZ), Anger rising as boathouse ouster arrives (Philadelphia Bulletin, USA), Regatta boss and NSRI butt heads over R2000 fee (Dispatch Online, South Africa), No face masks issued for NZ Olympians (Dominion Post, NZ), South Australian Chris Morgan picks up pace (Adelaide Advertiser, Australia), Big day for local rowers at indoor competition (St Catharine's Standard, Canada), Crew makes room for a 'slacker' (Santa Clara, USA), Headington pull together (Oxford Mail, UK), US Congress probes Lipitor ad campaign over 'stunt doctor' rowing on lake (National Post, USA).
- Drugs cheat Dwain Chambers is '50-50' to make Olympics (Times, UK). Rowers have been drawn into this because Martin Cross was the athletes' representative in 1992 when the current life-ban came in (see article), and because this controversy kicked off last May when Chambers did an interview with Matthew Pinsent in which he appeared to be comfortable with the idea that there would always be drugs-taking in sport.
- And a short press release describing wireless networking of rowing data at the Australian Sports Commission.
- An obituary of former rower Air Commodore Henry Probert in the LIverpool Daily Post (UK).
- And one for former Olympic triallist C. David Robinson in the Washington Post (USA).
Friday 15th February 2008
- UK urgent news - The ARA's list of clubs who have not submitted their safety audit is online (though not exactly easy to find if you think you've put yours in and nobody has warned you that you haven't). Clubs are advised to check since any who have not submitted their audit by the end of today will automatically be suspended, preventing their entry into competition until it is dealt with. (Thanks to the Tideway Slug for starting to alert readers).
- Also via the Slug, Dewar Shield results from AKRC (UK).
- From FISA, FISA delays further actions against Russian federation. The full letter from FISA is here (PDF format).
- Entries for Reading University Head (UK) close at 6pm tomorrow (Sat 16th February). Entry is via OARA only, but cheques should be posted to the organisers. Race contact for entries or problems is Rhiannon Jones.
- A YouTube private coaches' video of the GBR M8+ from 2000 - the Olympic champions.
- A reminder that entries for the national junior indoor championships (UK) close on Friday 22nd February, ie next week. Schools about to go for half-term might like to sort it out today.
- Results from Molesey Veteran Head (UK).
- Results from Bedford Head in time order and by event (UK).
Thursday 14th February 2008
- UK sad news: Tim Hooper, NW regional safety adviser, umpire; NWSC and working party member; regular volunteer at the Nat Champs and inter-Regionals; and Northwich RC member, has passed away peacefully at home with his family. Funeral arrangements will be posted on the Northwich RC website when known.
- The draw (Excel), instructions to crews (Word) and start and finish maps (Word) for Tyne Head are on the Tyne website (UK).
- News from BUSA (UK) - they are not running the Freshers Challenge this year, although there will be a Freshers category in both the BUSA Head and BUSA Regatta. All the details for the BUSA Championship & Novice Head are on the 2007-8 champs pages on the BUSA website. Most of the downloads are Word or Excel format.
Wednesday 13th February 2008
- TRC (UK) has an Unofficially Thames website, described as "more social than official", with squad news and a blog.
- The Women's Eights Head (UK) has put the official Coxing the Tideway (the one narrated by Suzie Ellis and created a few years ago) on their website - it's WMV format, playable on Macs if you install Flip4Mac. This was actually commissioned by a consortium of the major Tideway Heads so is applicable to all of them.
- As requested by FISA last week, the Russian rowing federation has agreed to hold re-elections. See Response of Russian Olympic Committee and Ministry of Sport to FISA and FISA calls for fresh elections for Russian Rowing Federation (FISA) for more.
- Also on WorldRowing, Madsen triumphs in Atlantic row.
- The ARA (UK) has launched the UK Sport-funded Club & Coach programme, with some money available for full- and part-time coaches. See the Club & Coach vacancies list (PDF) for more. The closing date for these posts is 3rd March, and a minimum of the Level 2 coaching award is required.
Monday 11th February 2008
- Sorry about the silence today - I've been finalising details of the first subscription issue of the RowingVoice. Everything is now online, and you can subscribe, download last year's free issues, and sign up to have email alerts of the new issues. Go to voice.rowingservice.com and try it out. Issues are shown with thumbnails so you can see what's in them before you download.
- Voice volume 2 issue 1 - New features for the new year. The biggest change is that the Voice is moving to a landscape format for easier online reading. We're looking for feedback on this and any other aspect of the magazine, so write to voice@rowingservice.com with your views - marked "for publication" or "not for publication" as you wish. I've also made the PDF compression better, so the current issue is just 5MB to download 23 pages. In the magazine - Star Club's new world record, Brits winning ocean races, Russians banned for drugs offences, Kiwi scullers head to head again, and a big feature on the ergometer, every rower's favourite training partner. Plus UK winter news; Hammer Smith on the good, bad and ugly of rowing around the world; an extract from a rowing book; Stan Collingwood Rant-ing about HRR, and Terry O'Neill's Coaching Talk on how to run your crew selection. Use the link above to download.
- Results from Saturday's GB long-distance trials (UK). Most of the expected Olympic team were excused this trial, so it largely features Under-23s and a few potential worlds hopefuls. Look ahead - GB's heavyweight men have pushed off to Seville, and will be taking part in the FISA Team Cup this coming weekend.
- The provisional draw for the Head of the Trent (UK) is online.
- Dynamic duo making waves on the indoor rowing scene (Edinburgh Evening News, Scotland).
Friday 8th February 2008
- Sorry about the silence - hit by a winter bug for a few days.
- The big news - FISA bans final two Russian rowers (WorldRowing).
- The draw for Bedford Head (UK) is out.
- The South Yorkshire HORR (UK) is open on OARA and will close at noon on Sunday 10th February. Events are strictly by division this year and capped at 120 boats. See link for details.
- The poster for Ponteland Junior Head (UK, Word format) is online.
- A poster for the Cardiff Head of the Taff (UK, JPG picture), this year on Saturday 1st March with entries closing on 24th February at 3pm. The organisers point out that "this is our 8th year and we have never had cause to cancel - touch wood!"
- The website for this year's Coupe de la Jeunesse (Ireland, 18th-20th July) is now online. More details much nearer the time.
- Entries are open for the Medway Small Boats Head (24th Feb, UK), over 2500m at Maidstone. The information's being hosted by another club at the moment until the Maidstone Invicta website can be updated. Note that the event is for all small boats, not just fours as billed in the ARA calendar.
- Missed the other day - SA buddies push rowing to the extreme (Independent Online, South Africa).
- And in another continent, Row breweing over Robbins' Olympic selection (again! - The Age, Australia).
- Another Kiwi story - Waddell and Drysdale to go head-to-head for single spot (TV3).
Tuesday 5th February 2008
- Entries are open for the second National Junior Indoor Rowing Championships (UK), to be held exactly a month from now in Battersea Park, London. Full details on the event sub-site on London Youth Rowing. Entries close 22nd February 2008. Five winners of the Boat Race Relay races will be invited to follow either the Boat Race or the reserves race in launches, and in another link to the event, the Boat Race Challenge will take place during the Championships, at the same location. All information on the links above, though if you want a high-quality copy of the front-page poster to print off, try this PDF version (over 2MB). Alternatively, contact the organisers if you would like them to send you some print copies of the poster to put up in schools.
- Entries are open for Bristol Head (Sun 24th Feb, UK), which is held over a 3500m course on Bristol's Floating Harbour so won't be affected by flooding, say the organisers. Entries on OARA with cheque payment only, and close 16th February. Note that if a single crew is entered in an event, it must beat the course record for that event in order to win a medal.
- A crew needs a shell for the Women's Eights Head (UK) - see this link.
- A reminder that entries and payment for Tyne Head (UK) must be received by 12 noon on Saturday 10th February to be accepted.
- Rowing links - Olympian's aim is to find girls' talents (Oneonta Daily Star, USA), Frank Lloyd Wright's Martin House complex receives $2.5 million gift for new visitor center (MediaWire, USA), Showdown to be held in private (New Zealand Herald, NZ), Team GB on course for improvement (Sporting Life, UK), ABC reveals their newest 'bachelor' (BuddyTV, USA), Revival of the Lakes (Calcutta Telegraph, India), Ed finishes runner-up (Worcester News, UK), a bit of rowing comment in an op-ed column (Stuff, NZ - halfway down), Rower Mike McKay says Olympian Robbins not strong enough (Melbourne Herald Sun, Australia), National team rowers dominate senior women's event at Canadian Indoors (Row2k, USA).
Monday 4th February 2008
- A website for the Yarra Yarra Rowing Club (Melbourne, Australia).
- NZL Drysdale/Waddell links - Drysdale turns tables on Waddell (video newspiece, TVNZ), Drysdale eases into trial situation with a win (Newstalk ZB), Drysdale holds on to take victory over Waddell (Waikato Times), Drysdale strikes back in duel for Olympics berth (Guardian, UK), Drysdale beats Waddell at local rowing regatta (WorldRowing, FISA), Drysdale pips Waddell in rowing clash (Radio New Zealand), Significant win for Drysdale (Newstalk ZB), Drysdale peps up Olympic sculls war (New Zealand Herald), Games on: world champ battles back (The Press), Drysdale pegs one back in duel (Stuff), Drysdale gets upper hand over Waddell (TV3 News), New Zealanders are too damn nice (Stuff, who have clearly never been in the grandstand when they've won four gold medals in a row and are crowing!), May the best man compete (New Zealand Herald).
- From the USA, fOAR Rowers Magazine, a weekly online magazine for masters rowers, which started last September.
- Anatomy of a boat crash - as my correspondent pointed out, "Edinburgh University were only one of many boats having an argument with Elvet Bridge in Durham on Saturday"... The 'view as slide-show' format is recommended. (Thanks PR).
- Results are online from the Durham Small Boats Head (UK) in Excel format.
- Pointed out by KH, a completely different type of accident on YouTube - the perils of not looking where you're going... In the related section, this demonstration of how not to get into a boat - from the looks of it none of the bow-side gates had been done up at all.
- Hampton Head results by finish order and by event (UK).
- Results from Peterborough Head of the Nene (UK).
- Swansea's Head of the Tawe was cancelled on Sunday (UK) due to gale force 10 gusts of wind. They are not planning to reschedule unless there is an overwhelming demand. See the page above for what appears to be a picture of the water last weekend (!)
- Results online for Warrington Head of the Mersey (PDF format, UK).
- Wycliffe Big Head results (UK) available by division, by event and on the main Head page in the usual Wycliffe searchable system.
- RowTV (UK) has over 8 hours total video coverage of last year's Henley Royal Regatta online at YouTube. Clips from all races are shown, including qualifiers and the medal presentations. As of 24th January YouTube announced that most of their videos will now play on 3G mobile phones.
- Other rowing news - National team rowers dominate senior women's event at Canadian Indoors (Row2k, USA), Off yer bum and on yer bike... or boat (Wanganui Chronicle, NZ), Clifton rowers win gold (Taranaki Daily News, NZ), Rowers rescued (Liverpool Echo, UK - not entirely clear if it's a swamping or a capsize, but probably the former, from what is said), Rowers rescued after boat capsizes (Widnes and Runcorn World, UK, ditto), Transatlantic world record for Aberystwyth student (Daily Post, UK), Pulling past limits and across the Atlantic (Los Angeles Times, USA), Los Gatos Rowing Club in town plaza (Los Gatos Observer, USA), Perkins caps off tiresome weekend (Geelong Advertiser, Australia), Mourners honour slain mother, children after Ohio house fire (Daily News, Canada), Lack of GB coaches damaging 2012, says Cram (Independent, UK), Rower Dan set for Olympics (Huddersfield Examiner, UK), Rowing event comes to SHU today (Stamford Advocate, USA), Iranian rowers bound for Seville (IranMania News, Iran), Rowers set off for epic trip - in a supermarket (Kent Online, UK), The Seine and the insane (Nicholas Roe, Telegraph, UK).
Sunday 3rd February 2008
- Kiwis W-D 2-1 - Drysdale beats Waddell at the third time of asking. See the press release on Rowing NZ from the NZ North Island championships. At the same time, in this highly competitive atmosphere, two of NZL's current world champions, Duncan Grant (LM1x) and Joseph Sullivan (U23 M1x), failed even to make the final.
- The GB women's quad - Katherine Grainger, Fran Houghton, Debbie Flood and Annie Vernon - were named British Rowing's Olympic Athletes of the Year last night, for achievement in 2007.
Friday 1st February 2008
- From the ARA, the announcement of BingoLotto (UK), a new TV game which will raise money for sport and the voluntary sector. Apparently "current and future stars from rowing" will appear on the show occasionally.
- A brief update on the Sporting Giants programme (ARA, UK). A downlodable Word document gives more details but is mostly aimed at those who tried for the SG programme.
- Another rowing lawyer in the news - FISA umpire and Masters Commission member Ron Chen is the Law Journal's Lawyer of the Year (USA). Congratulations Ron, and thanks KG.
