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 ã 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.
