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    Wednesday 2nd December 2009
  • Wallingford Head cancelled (UK) - WRC Head scheduled for Sunday has been cancelled due to rising river levels and fast stream conditions. The event has been rescheduled for 17th January 2010 and all clubs due to compete this weekend will be contacted in due course regarding the new event. Cheques have been shredded.
  • Burway Small Boats Head cancelled (UK), a message from the organisers - "Due to very fast stream, rising water and heavy rain, it is considered unsafe to hold the Burway SBH this Saturday. Taking into account the large and competitive entry received this year we are hoping to reschedule the event to a date to be confirmed."
  • King's College Cambridge have announced that there will be a memorial service for the late Revd Ian Thompson, on Saturday 13th February 2010. Further details will be announced nearer the time.

    Tuesday 1st December 2009

  • For those who haven't seen the Rowing Voice since it went landscape format in 2008, here is a trailer PDF including tasters from the latest issue. Buying old volumes - the website currently allows buying of individual issues, but it may be tedious to do if you want to buy a whole year's worth. If anyone wishes to back-subscribe to older issues a whole year at a time, please email me with the dates you want to subscriber for (12 months please, but a year can start at any time). I will then sign you up at the rate of £20 per year, and arrange the subscription payment, within one business day. Please make sure you register as a user on the site (for which there is no charge) before you contact me. Thanks - RQ.
  • Results from Rutherford Head (UK) are now online.
  • GB adaptive talent search - GB Rowing's adaptive squad is looking for a fourth athlete plus spares for their LTA mixed four, which won the world championships this summer and is training for the 2012 Paralympics. Following the retirement of Vicky Hansford there is a slot in the crew - the LTA class involves low-level disabilities so some who are eligible may be rowing already in able-bodied groups and not know they qualify for the Paralympics. Below, a notice from the coaches:
    DO YOU HAVE A FUSED ANKLE?
    "If so, you could become part of Great Britain's World Championship winning Paralympic four. You do not need to consider yourself to be disabled to classify for this boat and may already be rowing at a high level in a club, university or school. You may have a fused ankle because you had an accident, or because you were born with a club foot. We are looking for men and women who have this or a similar minimal impairment and who are ambitious to help drive up the standard of this crew and compete at the world championships in New Zealand in 2010. If you fit these criteria please contact Tom Dyson or Mary McLachlan."
  • The rescheduled Glasgow Fours Head (UK) is now on Saturday 5th December. The drawrt lists are online (in PDF and HTML formats).
  • John Kingstone is seeking a copy of the book 'The Story of World Rowing' by Christopher Dodd, which is currently so out of print (in English at least) that even the author does not know where to find a copy. Anyone who can put John in the way of a copy please contact him directly.

    Monday 30th November 2009

  • RowingVoice online rowing magazine vol 3 issue 9 now out. Robin Williams and Colin Smith on leaving rowing behind, Alex Henshilwood on how juniors can do better while training less, and Steve Schaffran interviews Great8 cox Ali Williams. The Rowing History Forum, two suggestions for improving UK rowing, and a cautionary tale from a learn-to-row course. Results, a good read extract from Water Under the Bridge, and racing from Boston to Barnes, plus news from across the rowing globe.
  • Results from the Scullers Head (UK).
  • Mahe Drysdale and Emma Twigg won their respective races in the Billy Webb Challenge (New Zealand), beating Tim Maeyens (BEL) and Sally Kehoe (AUS) respectively. Full details and coverage on the link, including videos.

    Friday 27th November 2009

    Tuesday 24th November 2009

  • Details of the January 2010 World Rowing Conference (FISA). Registration and payment must be complete by 31st December 2009.
  • Melbourne Argonauts are running an inaugural National Gay & Lesbian sculling camp in Australia from 15th-17th January 2010. They are particularly keen to have representation from every Australian state, and I'm pretty sure they will accept rowers from other countries too. They'd further like to help set up an Australian network of gay and lesbian rowers, so invite anyone interested in helping to get in touch. See website for more.
  • 'Gentleman' Teddy Selwyn dies at 87 (Henley Standard, UK).
  • Entries for the Welsh Indoor Rowing Championships (UK) close this weekend.

    Monday 23rd November 2009

  • Results from the Northwich Head (UK) are online, in Excel and PDF formats.
  • World Rowing announces 2009 award finalists - the public nominations have been trimmed down to three finalists in each category, the winners to be decided by a FISA committee. Several previous winners are shortlisted again.

    Thursday 19th November 2009

  • Marlow Fours & Pairs 22nd November (UK) - A message from the organisers - "We will review the weather forecast and issue a notice regarding the likely effect on Saturday a.m. We will then publish our decision so that clubs can decide whether to travel to Dorney on the Marlow RC website. Assuming that the race goes ahead it will be the responsibility of clubs, coaches and parents of juniors to ensure they are wearing appropriate clothing for a wet/windy November morning. A crew will NOT be allowed to go afloat if the Control Commission umpires decide that hypothermia is a risk to a competitor."
  • A Row2k (USA) feature - an interview with rower and artist Ellen Kennelly and Ellen Kennelly Endurance Artwork, an online exhibition of her work.
  • Details of the 2010 Ratzeburg Summer Sculling Weeks (Germany) are online (English website) - the courses are not for competitive rowers, but for recreational scullers who want to improve their technique and enjoyment of rowing.
  • The draw for the Scullers Head (UK) is online.
  • Walton Small Boats Head (UK) is now open for entries via OARA. Details on the link.
  • A group in Germany has started a Bundesliga Rowing League, a series of 350m sprint races for eights, 6 regattas a year. It's formally approved by the German rowing federation. Interesting.
  • The poster for the North East Indoor Rowing Championships (UK, PDF format) is online.
  • Minutes for the Northern Region Rowing Council (UK) are online now.
  • Entries for Rutherford Head (UK) close on Saturday. Entries and payments online only please.
  • Entries for Wycliffe Small Boats Head (UK) are now closed due to high numbers of entries. Clubs can still change crew composition but not add more. After Thursday 26th November (the formal entry deadline) the 50% substitution rule will apply, but not until then. Details can be found on the new event website.
  • Grey continue their rowing domination in Heads regatta (The Herald, South Africa).

    Tuesday 17th November 2009

  • Details of Monmouth Christmas Head (UK) are online.
  • The German rowing community Ruderszene is offering a ¤5 voucher for shopping at New Wave to all its members. See here for how to register.
  • Argentina moves ahead with adaptive rowing (FISA, WorldRowing). Also, Make your mark on the Youth Olympics, China stands out at Asian Championships and It's Drysdale again for Silver Skiff.

    Monday 16th November 2009

  • There is an outside chance that ocean rowing is about to become very, very cool in the UK. Olly Hicks, the insanely adventurous guy who was the youngest successful ocean rower (at 23) and the first ever to row solo from the USA to England, has made a dramatic documentary about his attempt last year to row round the world. The attempt was made to cover the standard sailing route - round the entire Antarctic in the Southern Ocean - in ridiculously hazardous seas. He didn't manage it, having to call off the venture after a major technical failure, but then spent 50 days getting back to land, a feat in itself. During the voyage he became the first person to row the perilous Tasman Sea from Tasmania to New Zealand. Anyway, footage filmed by Olly on his antipodean adventure has been made into an action-packed film, Tenacity on the Tasman. Despite being an independent film, it is getting a Leicester Square premiere - the only other rowing flick to manage that was True Blue - and tickets including a post-film Q&A and entry to the afterparty are now on sale. (Hicks' mentors and sponsors include Sir Richard Branson, so who knows who might be at the event...?) Anyway, the premiere is this coming Thursday, 19th November, at 7:30pm at the Odeon, Leicester Square. See the film website for full details including how to buy tickets.
  • In a related vein, Chris Martin and Mick Dawson (UK) successfully completed their (first unsupported) row across the north Pacific, from Japan to San Francisco, on Friday. See the Golden Gate Endeavour website for details. Amazing.
  • Sad news (UK) - Margaret Crowden, wife of rowing stalwart James, died peacefully in her sleep aged 83 on 10th November.

    Saturday 14th November 2009

  • Fours Head cancelled (UK). Details online.
  • Keep an eye on their Twitter page to see if the Fours Head (UK) is going to run. Decision to be made about an hour before start time.

    Friday 13th November 2009

  • There is plenty of immediate news today, which I will put up under Friday, and also two in memoriam notices, which I will move down to Thursday, below. If you haven't checked in to this page for a few days, do read down.... (RQ).
  • Cancellation (UK) - Pangbourne Sculls has had to be cancelled due to the dismal weather forecast. More information on refunds will follow - the organisers hope to offer them in full. They apologise for any inconvenience but decided this was the best decision given that many clubs do not want to travel in the predicted high winds.
  • The Bann Head of the River (Northern Ireland) has been postponed due to the death of Victor Hamill (see below). Details will follow to competitors and local clubs.
  • The closing date for entries for the Marlow Fours & Pairs Head (22nd November, Dorney Lake, UK) is Saturday 14th November at 3pm. Depending on the number of entries received at this time OARA may be extended to remain open for longer, but only> if weather conditions prevent this weekend's events from taking place.
  • Members of Oxford Brookes University Boat Club (and the former Poly BC), and members of Taurus, please visit this PDF link for an invitation to a stellar boat-naming party on Sunday November 29th at the Brookes boathouse (UK).
  • Those visiting the Fours Head and Veteran Fours Head (UK) this weekend might like to see the following links from Chris George: Advice for crews in Tideway Heads, Advice for crews visiting on non-Head days and the Tideway code 2009. These are the previous TRRC advice pages, updated for 2009.
  • Molesey BC (UK) has announced that Ben Lewis has been appointed as the new Molesey head coach. See PDF printable press release for more details.
  • Entries for the Wycliffe Small Boats Head (UK) are open on OARA. Entries were 15% full one hour after opening, so clubs need to move fast if they do not wish to be disappointed. Details on the dedicated event website link above.
  • The Northern Rowing Council (UK) plans to run a club development conference on Sunday 17th January, venue Durham ARC. Requests for specific content to Rob Cree please.
  • The Northern Rowing Council AGM (UK) will be held on Tuesday 17th November at Chester le Street, time 7:30pm (light buffet from 7pm), including the annual election of officers. All posts other than the coaching commissioner, event coordinator, adaptive rowing rep, and two ordinary members, have signified their agreement to stand for re-election. Nominations for the five posts mentioned above should be made in writing and include signatures from nominee, proposer and seconder, and reach Chris Smith (8 Woodbine Avenue, Gosforth, Newcastle, NE3 4EU) by the end of Sunday 15th November.
  • Results of the Docklands Head (UK) are online (PDF format).

    Thursday 12th November 2009

  • Sad news (Northern Ireland) - Bann RC lifelong member and hon. secretary Victor Hamill MBE died on 11th November, after suffering a heart attack while in a double with his brother Norman. The funeral will be held on Saturday 14th November at 1pm at Terrace Row Church, Coleraine.
  • Sad news (UK) - Cornish Pilot Gig Association President Ralph Bird died on Monday. See British Rowing's notice.
  • From NE Rowing (UK), details of the next Level 2 UKCC coaching course (January 2010) and the application form (both MS Word files). Only applications accompanied by payment constitute a firm booking. Any funding packages available to reduce costs will be applied only after the course has been completed and an assessment of coaches made. Cancellations can be made if you need to withdraw before the course, in which case cheques will be ripped up. The course will only be booked if there are enough firm applications by Monday 23rd November. Contact Rob Cree.
  • The Henley 2k Ergo Challenge (UK) is a new event for teams and individuals at Upper Thames on 5th December. Full details and an entry form on the dedicated website. Deadline for entries is Monday 30th November.
  • A plea for help and advice from a guy who wants to row the Irish Sea (UK/IRL) solo next summer, and needs expertise in how to plan for this length of row.
  • Chris Dodd's 1992 book "The Story of World Rowing" has now been translated into Japanese by Akihiro Sakokibara, a surgeon from Nagoya, and published by Tohoku University Press. The ISBN number is 978-4-86163-121-4.
  • Rowing Canada Aviron women's coach Carsten Hassing is moving to the Norwegian Rowing Federation later this month.
  • Confido Racing (UK) have developed a new type of carbon fibre shoulder that can apparently be fitted into any type of boat to replace a broken wooden shoulder. See the product page on their website for full details.
  • This year the Oxford and Cambridge Boat Race squads (UK) are doing crew blogs on their preparation for next year's race, including various bits of video footage.

    Monday 9th November 2009

  • The 2009 SilverSkiff (Italy) was won by Mahe Drysdale (open men) and Emma Twigg (open women) at the weekend. Results in various orders downloadable as PDFs from the website.
  • Entry details and information for the Scottish Indoor Rowing Champs (Heriott-Watt University, Edinburgh, Sunday 31st January 2010), are online. The usual 2km events are offered, and also a 500m sprint in the open categories. A new online entry and payment system has been set up, which organisers would like to encourage competitors to use.
  • The Mark Lees Foundation (UK), a charity supporting high performance rowers who are not eligible for Lottery funding, has an A3 rowing calendar for 2010, featuring fantastic photos courtesy of ace rowing snapper Peter Spurrier. Price £10 + postage, available from the end of November. All the profit from the sales goes to the Foundation. Placing early orders will allow them to reprint if more are needed, and guarantees prompt delivery as soon as the calendar is available.
  • Results from the Henley Sculls (PDF format, UK), now online.
  • Results of the Wansbeck LDS (UK) online.
  • And results from the Tees LDS and Tyne United SBH (UK) also posted retroactively online now NERN is in full swing again. More historical results on the NERN results page.
  • Full-time rowing coach required for South Yorkshire & North Nottinghamshire (PDF details), based at Balby Carr Community Sports College and Doncaster Rowing Club. Applications close at noon on Monday 30th November, role starts January 2010 for one year. Further details on the link.
  • Sydney issues challenge to Melbourne in the tradition of Oxford and Cambridge (Rowing Australia). Thanks JM.
  • A reminder that the British Indoor Rowing Championships (UK) are on Sunday 22nd November at the Birmingham Arena, and online entries close at 5pm today. There will be a race machine sale afterwards - details on the website.
  • FISA's Athlete of the Month Is Julia Michalska (Poland).
  • The 2009 World Championships DVD (World Rowing) is now available to order, from RegattaSport in North America and Mexico, and New Wave in Europe, Africa, Asia and Australasia.
  • Coxultancy (UK) are doing another Fours Head coxing clinic: £10 per person, payable on the door, event from 7pm to 8:30pm on Friday 13th November 2009 at London Rowing Club, Putney. The LRC bar will be open from half an hour before the talk for snacks, drinks and hot drinks. Questions or confirmation of your attendance (not compulsory) to clinic@coxultancy.com.

    Friday 6th November 2009

  • Wingfields results yesterday: Alan Campbell beat Mahe Drysdale and Graeme Coleman in the men's, and Sophie Hosking beat Jess Eddie in the women's.
    Results men's race: Milepost 4-32 (AC), 4-40 (MD), 4-44 (GC); Hammersmith Bridge 7-58 (AC), 8-07 (MD), 8-20 (GC); Chiswick Steps 12-37 (AC), 12-46 (MD), 13-12 (GC); Barnes Bridge 16-49 (AC), 16-57 (MD), ntt (GC); Finish 20-27 (AC), 20-37 (MD), 21-45 (GC).
    Results women's race: Milepost 4-59 (SH), 5-10 (JE); Hammersmith Bridge 8-48 (SH), 9-07 (JE); Chiswick Steps 14-06 (SH), 14-28 (JE); Barnes Bridge 19-03 (SH), 19-28 (JE); Finish 23-05 (SH), 23-34 (JE).
  • Full crew lists for the Fours Head (UK) are online.
  • The Glasgow RC Fours Head (Scotland, UK) has been postponed (at the moment indefinitely) due to the high level of rainfall forecast and the current conditions in the marshalling areas. It may turn out that conditions improve by Saturday but the club was keen to make the decision before everyone started moving trailers around. They offer their sincere thanks to everyone who had offered to race, umpire or help. GRC plan to apply for another date to run the race, possibly 21st November, 28th November or 5th December. All cheques received for Saturday's race will be destroyed, unless their return is requested. Contact the club via their website.
  • Rutherford Head (UK) is open for entries - online only please, including payments. More details here. Fanatic Sport & Leisure will be at the event with a stand.
  • Not entirely rowing, but... World in motion: five sportspeople who hated their sport (The Times, UK).

    Thursday 5th November 2009

  • Sculling match-ups on the Thames today (UK): Jess Eddie v Sophie Hosking (2008 champion in the Women's Wingfields at 12:45, Alan Campbell (2006 champion) v Graeme Coleman (Diamonds semifinalist 2008) v Mahe Drysdale (2007 & 2008 champion) in the men's Wingfields at 13:45, both races run Putney to Mortlake. Draws given Surrey to Mortlake.
  • The poster and application form for the next UKCC Level 2 coaching course to be held at the River Tees Watersports Centre/A> (January 2010, UK). Receipt of a cheque constitutes a booking.
  • Northwich Autumn Head (November 14th, UK) is open for online entries. The fastest boat of the day will be awarded the Tim Hooper Trophy (holders Northwich/Leander). Entries close Sunday 8th November.
  • Details from the Canadian National Rowing Championships on Rowing Canada Aviron. Malcolm Howard won the M1x and is planning to aim for the single at the next Olympics.
  • The funeral of Dr Sarju Patel (see Monday's news) will be held at Mortlake Crematorium (London, UK) at 12noon on Saturday 7th November. Clearly all welcome.
  • The provisional start order for Pangbourne Sculls (UK) is now online.
  • Coach leaves for the UK (Rowing Australia).
  • Aberporth Rowing Club (Wales, UK) has recently reformed and relaunched its website.

    Tuesday 3rd November 2009

  • Update on NZ world championships and tickets: it is likely that the tickets being offered on the site (see below) are for real and publicly available. Last week's sell-out was of a specific set of 1500 tickets reserved for rowers. Rob Bristow (NZL) has sent the following to help those who might be booking tickets. Here on Flat Water Fast Times is an artist's impression of the grandstand as it will be constructed, showing a roof over approx. 2/3 of the stand. The building to the lower left is the new Rowing New Zealand High Perforamnce centre. On the other side will be the finish tower and press grandstand. Parking will be about 5km away from the venue with a shuttle bus system between there and the course: all ticket prices include the cost of this shuttle. Once the eight-day grandstand tickets are sold out, the only tickets sold next year will be "general admission" ones, which are not likely to guarantee any seating.
  • The Wingfield Sculls (UK) is this coming Thursday, Putney to Mortlake. The women's race at 12: 45 sees Jess Eddie challenging defending champion Sophie Hosking, while 2006 champion Alan Campbell takes on 2007 and 2008 winner Mahe Drysdale at 13:45.
  • A useful video from kayaking site Playak, featuring Tim Brabants: Top whereabouts tips for elite international athletes. The other video with Brabants in is less useful, except to those new to the 'whereabouts' system.
  • Various recent press links - Jorgensen's silver lining (Guernsey Press, UK), Prepare to salute heroines (Henley Standard, UK), Berkley brothers triumph at Weybridge (Henley Standard, UK), Losing is good lesson, insists Triggs Hodge (More Than The Games, UK), Sir Matthew Pinsent: Men's four are as good as it gets (More Than The Games, UK), River rubbish cleared in new operation (Wales Online, UK), Barney finishes 55 places behind ex-Olympic champ (South Devon Herald Express, UK), Single-minded switch to the pursuit of excellence (Press and Journal, Scotland, UK), Whatever happened to heroes? Here's two (Press and Journal, Scotland, UK), Stetson crew coach set to meet with pope today (News Journal Online, USA), YP veterans to revive Wallaroo rowing (Yorke Peninsula Country Times, Australia), Austin Rowing Club could lose contract with city (Statesman, USA), 100-plus lakes attacked by plants (WNTH.com, USA), Community Rowing named 2009 USRowing club of the year (Row2k, USA), Flushing gig club celebrate grant (Falmouth Packet, UK), Rowing regatta means big bucks for Chattanooga (ABC News, USA), Rowing her boat (Ada Evening News, USA), Interview: Olympic rowing legend Sir Steve Redgrave (Wharf, UK), Rowers scoop 3 golds, 6 silvers and 4 bronzes (Business Mirror, Philippines), Property venture for blind explorer (Wexford People, Ireland), McGill rowers shine (Montreal Gazette, Canada), Parramatta River's claim to sporting greatness (Parramatta Advertiser, Australia), Elk Lake boathouse upgrade gets Federal funding (BC Local News, Canada), Mark overcomes surgery to raise funds (Bradford Telegraph & Argus, UK).
  • ES Rowing Services (UK) will be taking a trailer to the north east of England in the next 2-3 weeks. Clubs with boats they want repaired or transported by ES should contact the office on 01628 666255 or esrowingservices@yahoo.co.uk.
  • RowCo Christmas cards now available, also personalised Christmas cards.

    Monday 2nd November 2009

  • Very sad news (UK) - Dr Sarju Patel, 28, formerly of Hampton School, Edinburgh Univ BC, King's College London and Alexandra BC, died on Friday night. He was involved in a pedestrian road traffic accident in Twickenham on the night of 30th-31st October and died of his injuries the next day. Details of the funeral will be published later - condolences can be sent to his family via captain@tidewayscullers.com. Sarju was an excellent rowing organiser and current secretary of Alexandra BC, the club for current and former members of Edinburgh University BC. He won gold at National Schools while a junior and also raced and won in Scotland.
  • WADA changes 2009-10 - WADA has made alterations to its official Prohibited List for the next sporting year. Most importantly, psuedoephedrine, found in many readily available cough/cold medicines, is now on the prohibited list, which means a TUE (Therapeutic Use Exemption) certificate will be needed before athletes can use them. The system for TUEs for asthma inhalers has also altered. See the WADA website for the latest news, the 2009 and 2010 lists, and full documentation. British Rowing has put up a page with useful information including about the changes, which come in on January 1st 2010. FISA's anti-doping page has yet to be updated but is a very useful collection of links and details.
  • Fluidesign UK has been set up to deal with importing of FluiDesign boats from Canada. There will be a new shipment of boats coming over soon, and there is a discount associated with orders placed in the container - singles, 2x/- and 4x/-. See the main website for products.
  • The Head of the Float poster (PDF) can be found on the Liverpool Victoria website (UK). Entries close at midnight on Saturday 28th November. Online payment preferred.
  • Results of the Upper Thames Fours & Pairs Head (UK) are online.
  • Results from Dee Autumn Head (UK).
  • Results from the Tyne LDS (UK).
  • FISA cuddles up to Russia (no not really, but the picture's a hoot) - Russian President endorses sport. Also on FISA, Learnings at youth coaches conference and Counting one year to Karapiro 2010.
  • The official 2010 world championships website released some eight-day grandstand tickets last week, which sold out very fast (mostly to locals, I hear). There will be another release of general tickets and hospitality packages in mid-2010, but the official ticket sales website is showing availability for the eight-day grandstand tickets still, which doesn't entirely make sense given the sell-out news. Any more information I get will be put up here. There is an option for 'ezyTicket' ie receiving them as a PDF which then obviates the need for postage. Note that for those trying to buy, it's worth looking at the venue page and clicking on 'venue map' to see the layout of the grandstand. It doesn't say, but I'm guessing that the upper layers are covered and the front not covered, which would account for the lower prices.
  • With a weirdly Hallowe'en style dress code, the Vancouver Winter Olympics torch relay began in Canada over the weekend. The CAN Olympic champion M8+ was involved on the first day, with some local junior girls, at Victoria Rowing Club. See here for day 1 photos. There are more photos from the media coverage on the front of the Rowing Canada Aviron website.

    Thursday 29th October 2009

  • The River Tees Watersports Centre (UK) is engaging in a process this autumn to find a new operator to manage the club on behalf of the Tees River Users Trust. The procurement information for bidders (PDF) and tender document (MS Word) are on the RTWC website, which has quite a bit of other information about how things work. Bids must be in by 27th November 2009, with shortlisting, interviews and a decision in December.
  • Information and draw etc for the Canadian National Rowing Championships (London, Ontario, 3rd-4th November 2009). This year a CAN $20,000 prize purse has been announced for winning competitors.
  • A new (UK) idea for Christmas presents - the 2010 Rowing Training Diary (order by email/eBay UK).
  • The poster for Rutherford Head (UK).
  • Entries for Glasgow Fours Head (Scotland, UK) close at 5pm on Sunday 1st November. Crews from Paris and Stirling University are competing, and are keen to borrow boats on the day if anyone can help (contact via the organisers).
  • A note that while the webmaster for NERN (UK) is away, draws/results/information will only be available to those subscribed to the North-East Rowing mailing list. Nothing will go on the website and attachments will not be visible to those reading the group through Yahoo Groups.
  • Scottish Rowing (UK) has a new online entry system for those wishing to take part in their long-distance trials. Closing date is 5pm on Monday 9th November.

    Wednesday 28th October 2009

  • Entries for the Veteran Fours Head (UK) close at 5pm GMT on 30th October, including non-veteran categories. Online entries only, and online payment is preferred. They are also looking for race day volunteers to help with organisation, email vetfourshead@googlemail.com if you can help.
  • FISA's report on the world coastal championships, held last weekend in Plymouth (UK).
  • And also from FISA, Zhang retires at National Games, and Coxswain Coates now on the IOC Executive board.
  • FISA has had a difficult decision to make recently over a positive drugs test. The outcome is that Sergey Shushin (RUS) has been banned for two years from April 2009 (PDF file on the World Rowing site). It's a complicated issue and one athletes should probably read about to be warned of the problems it's possible to encounter.
  • A website for the Rowing Repair Center (Tennessee, USA), which does what it says on the tin.

    Monday 26th October 2009

  • Theft (UK) - A De Graf trailer, along with various riggers and four rowing seats, has been stolen from Holme Pierrepont (Nottingham, UK). Information and how to supply details if you know about it, on the Stolen Boats website.
  • The Fours Head (UK) is closed now, and the entries list by event is up (PDF format). Note that the start order will not be published until 1st November. Crews boating from a Hammersmith club please note the restrictions on the use of Furnivall Gardens.
  • Coming up on Saturday 31st October, Rowing History Forum - Mothers of Invention (UK). Main speakers: Tom Weil on the Mothers of Invention; Gail McGarva on building Cornish gigs, John Beresford on his father Jack and his grandfather Julius; Bill Miller on the crazy world of rowing patents, plus Rob van Mesdag on Venetians; Felix d'Haeselee on Belgians at Henley. £30 including coffee, buffet lunch, and tea. Registration - Joanna Gibson (tel +44 (0)1491 415605) or by post to her at the RRM, Henley-on-Thames (cheques payable to River & Rowing Museum). The forum is preceded by the History Forum Dinner, a separate event, on Friday 30th October, with Tom Weil the guest speaker on "Leander's Mersey beat". £39.50 per head, reservations and accommodation inquiries to Sheila Harrington (tel +44 (0) 1491 636760).
  • Results from the Tees LDS and SBH (UK) now out.
  • A website for Medway Towns RC (UK). A nice, simple, informative site.
  • Overall results for the Weybridge Silver Sculls (UK) are online, also in boat type and category order.
  • Last week UK Sport launched Tall & Talented, a search for new tall British athletes for the 2016 Olympics, just like Sporting Giants. The sports included are rowing and basketball again, perhaps with others. Individuals need to be 15-22 yrs old, men >190cm (6ft3) and women >180cm (5ft11), competing in any sport at a minimum of county or regional level, agile or fit etc, and keen to become serious sportsmen/women. Closing date is 16th November 2009, and evaluations of those who have applied online will then take place in January 2010. The case studies of former talent-spotted youngsters include ones for Gemma Akers, Vicky Thornley, Lucy Ryvar, Helen Glover, Ben Johnson, Ben Hicks, Samantha Fowler, and Bethan Walters, all through the Sporting Giants scheme.
  • Newly launched (UK), the British Athletes Affinity Club, a not-for-profit organisation which supports GB athletes. Sports lovers can help by joining the Elite Athletes' Social Club (free), the EA Supporters' Club (£12), or take out British Affinity Club membership (£18), each giving diffferent levels of benefit and freebies.

    Friday 23rd October 2009

  • RowingVoice online rowing magazine vol 3 issue 8 now out. The first Voice of the autumn hits your computer with the Olympics reaching Rio and the Great8 winning the Head of the Charles (preview only, full report in the next issue). The excellent and long-awaited feature from Victoria Wood tells the inside story of hers and Sarah Winckless' headlong retirement into a marathon fundraising effort, while Ian Thompson and Paul Langguth are remembered in Enclosure in the Sky. News from Talkin Tarn to Falcon, EUSA to surf rowing, results from Bradford to the Yare Cup, the rediscovery of the lost Shanghai Rowing Club, and a Rant on coxes from Stan Collingwood. The Voice discount scheme is going strong: freebies and money off many rowing products for subscribers.
  • The next Rowing Voice issue will be out in November. Deadline for copy - letters, news, reports, pictures, classified ads (up to 30 words), photo ads (email us), features, and Rants - is 5pm on Friday 20th November.
  • Spam/scam warning (UK) - There is apparently an email roaming about purporting to come from Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs, and looking as if it does come from a government address, with a form asking you urgently for your daytime phone number so they can process a tax refund. It's a scam of some kind: the address is forged and the form has an auto-return to a completely different website, http://www.nexz1.biz/, so they're probably collecting numbers and email addresses for a cold-calling exercise. Delete and don't answer.

    Friday 16th October 2009

  • The closing date for the Marlow Long Distance Sculls (31st October, UK) is noon on Saturday 24th October. The event is open on OARA and online payment is required.
  • Advance warning that the Marlow Fours & Pairs Head (22nd November, UK) is once again being held at Dorney Lake, because the lock by the usual stretch of water is closed, and work at Longridge restricts the available river space for boating. Details on the Marlow website - it will be on OARA within the next few days.

    Thursday 15th October 2009

  • A reminder of the Head of the Charles official website (USA) ahead of this weekend's big regatta. And from Row2k, feature coverage including the "HOCR Rumor Mill" and, of course, a preview.
  • World Rowing news - Australia betters New Zealand in rowing clash (FISA).
  • Germany's rowing federation is advertising for a new Sports Director - information from FISA (PDF) and closing date 31st October 2009.
  • Mahe Drysdale is FISA's Athlete in focus for this month.

    Tuesday 13th October 2009

  • Very sad news (UK) - Norman Howitt, mainstay of the Cambois rowing club, fell ill last week with what turned out to be kidney problems, and was taken to hospital on Sunday afternoon for dialysis, but died of a heart attack at 10:30 yesterday morning.
  • Boat nickage (UK): Poor Curlew have lost a shell, and have no leads on its whereabouts. It was a late 1980s stern-loaded Janousek 4+ called 'Dorothy', with standard Janousek chevrons in the Curlew colours of light blue and royal blue on the canvases. The boat ID was of the form CURxxx. It was last seen when it was maintained about a month ago, so the suspicion is that it was removed from the rack in mid to late September. It should be stored at the London Regatta Centre, but has now disappeared and nobody at the club or centre has the first clue what's happened. Anyone who can shed light on where it might have gone, please email the Curlew captain Paul Williams.
  • The Gloucester Long Distance Head (UK) has been extended, up to 7km this year from 6.3km last year. Race date Sunday 1st November, details from the GRC website.
  • Results for Reading Small Boats Head (UK).
  • Details of Glasgow's Fours Head (Scotland, UK, Saturday 7th November). The prize list has been expanded, including categories for mixed crews and veteran/status combinations. More on the link, including the PDF poster. The online entry system will be available for 10 days before entries close at 5pm on Sunday 1st November. There is a £3 discount for entrants who pay in full before race day.

    Monday 12th October 2009

  • It is with regret that the organisers of Berwick Long Distance Sculls (UK) have decided to cancel the event, due to the very low number of entries received. They do not feel that they could justify running the event on behalf of the region at a considerable loss for the small number of crews entered.

    Friday 9th October 2009

  • Dee Autumn Head (UK) is taking place in Chester on 31st October, downstream over two divisions, and organised by Grosvenor RC. Details on the link - competitors should note that the new NW region policy on buoyancy is in force for this event.
  • NW Region change on buoyancy policy (UK) - all boats training or racing in the NW Region of England now requires boats to fuifill the FISA or RowSafe buoyancy criteria, even if they were manufactured before 2007. 1x, 2-, 2+ and 2x are considered automatically buoyant due to their construction. 4x, 4-, 4+, 4x+, 8+ and 8x+ with sealable compartments under seats and in canvases will be expected to have proper seals or bungs in place: if the compartments are open, they will be expected to have suitable buoyancy additions (eg buoyancy bags or similar, non-absorbent foam blocks, etc) under each seat to bring the boat up to the right flotation standard. Contact the Dee organisers for full details if you are from outside the region but aiming to race there.
  • EU to prosecute over discharge of raw sewage into the Thames (The Times, UK). Don't pay attention to the silly woman's assertion that "the river is to be used by rowers during the Olympics". It may well be, but not as part _of_ the Olympics.... Thanks RP and TR

    Thursday 8th October 2009

  • The Second Thames RC reunion lunch (UK) is happening on Sunday 22nd November at the club. This one is aimed at those who were active members in the 1980s and 1990s, lapsed members welcome.
  • Details of Tyne United small boats head (UK, PDF poster).
  • A reminder that if you listened to Regatta Radio (UK) during Henley Royal Regatta this year, your feedback would be welcome - fill in the online questionnaire.
  • The provisional draw (PDF) for the Clydesdale Scullers Head (UK) is online.
  • There is a petition in at No. 10 (UK) to get the government to implement stricter LGV safety standards, so that unsafe lorries would not endanger cyclists in London. See this link for details. The deadline for signing up is 1st December 2009 and there are already 1,474 signatures as of today. Note that the Tideway Sewage petition only has 1,447 signatures and closes on 31st January 2010.

    Monday 5th October 2009

  • Scottish Rowing (UK) have decided to hold a competition to design a new logo for the organisation. The prize for the winner will be a free 2-hour coaching session for the winner and their club with a high performance coach. Entries should be sent to Jo Ramsay, SR administrator, by 14th October.
  • Results of the E.ON Hanse Cup (Germany) last weekend - Germany won again, with their full world-champs-winning eight. Canada's entire silver-medal eight from this year was 24 seconds behind them in second place, a mixed US squad crew third by another eighteen seconds, and an Under-23 GB crew was fourth almost a minute further back.
  • The draw for Wear LDS is online (UK, Excel format).
  • Sarah Outen, the first woman to row solo across the Indian Ocean, is doing a public talk on her exploits on Monday 19th October (UK). Venue: St Edward's School, Oxford. Time: 7:30pm. All proceeds go to the charity Arthritis Care. Tickets from North Wall and more information here on the Teddies' site.
  • Welsh Rowing (UK) are inviting applications for the posts of Team Manager and Assistant Team Manager for the Welsh squad (Team Cymru), current season. The links go to the full job descriptions, in Word format. Applications should include a letter detailing experience and saying why the candidate thinks they are suitable for the role, and should be made by 15th October 2009. A selection interview will be held in late October. Send applications to Andrew Williams.
  • RowingVoice copy deadline - Volume 3 issue 8 will come out in just over 2 weeks. The deadline for submissions is 5pm BST on Friday 16th October 2009. Classified adverts free up to 30 words. News short articles approx. 50-150 words. Rants on your pet hate/love in rowing, up to 350 words. Commercial adverts, feature articles, race reports, Picture of the Month and other ideas please contact the magazine. The website is at voice.rowingservice.com. An update to the magazine's reader discount scheme will be published at the same time.

    Saturday 3rd October 2009

  • Cancellation (UK) - South Hylton Long Distance Sculls has been cancelled on safety grounds due to gale force winds. Partial refunds should be payable as per the poster.

    Friday 2nd October 2009

  • Racing late update (UK) - South Hylton Long Distance Sculls, meant to be running tomorrow, faces forecast bad weather. The organisers will review the situation at 12:30pm and if they need to cancel, will notify everyone involved in the race. Otherwise, competitors should expect it to run.
  • Late update - The vote for the 2016 Olympic city is happening today. Earlier on Chicago (the one which would have had the rowing on a harbour lake right in the very centre of the Games) was rather unexpectedly eliminated by the knock-out voting, as was Tokyo in the next round. It is now down to Rio de Janeiro and Madrid. Both have strong chances, the latter because of the continuing influence of former IOC President Juan Antonio Samaranch. If Madrid does get the Games it will be the second time for a Spanish city inside 25 years. The vote has happened and the result is being announced in Copenhagen at 7pm local time = 5pm GMT. See live updates from the BBC amongst others, which also includes a live streaming video from the Copenhagen meeting. 17:50 BST - and it's Rio de Janeiro for 2016.
  • Tideway Head of the River news (UK). The next HORR race will start at 13:15 GMT on Saturday 27th March 2010 - time now confirmed. The 2011 race (currently scheduled for 19th March) may shift - tbc - but the two after that are confirmed date-wise, with provisional times: 11:00 on Saturday 17th March 2012, and 13:00 on Saturday 23rd March 2013.
  • Entries are open for Tees SBH (UK) on OARA. Information and an entry form for the Long Distance Sculling Series on the NERN website (MS Word format).
  • Results from last weekend's Chester LDS (UK) are online, division 1 and division 2, both in PDF format. The Victor Ludorum has changed, and is now York City, not Grosvenor as previously announced.
  • The PLA (Port of London Authority, UK) is holding a public meeting about the tidal Thames, at which senior managers can be quizzed about the work of the PLA, developments, and operations on the Tideway. This is one of several meetings, and is being held at London Rowing Club at 6:30pm on Thursday 8th October, with a view to covering upper-reach issues specifically. See the official notice here.

    Thursday 1st October 2009

  • Very sad news (UK) - John Rose, a highly respected long-term member of Evesham Rowing Club, died in his sleep unexpectedly on 29th September 2009. More on the club website.
  • The Cambridge Rowing Lakes set-up is now running as Cambridge Sport Lakes (UI), with a similarly changed URL. Not sure how much progress has been made on the actual lake creation since the latest real update is from 2 years ago (barring various social events).
  • A link to the Damflask reservoir project (UK), creating a new eco-friendly replacement for either or both of Sheffield Hallam University and Sheffield University RC's boathouses. It was launched on Tuesday.

    Wednesday 30th September 2009

  • Details of the Upper Thames Small Boats Head (Sun 1st November, UK, Word format). No, I've no idea why it isn't linked on the Upper Thames website yet, but I'm getting rather bored of replying to clubs saying "please put it up yourself and I will link it" and then having to wait days for the answer. FOR THE INFORMATION OF THOSE WHO DO NOT UNDERSTAND - the internet is SUPPOSED to be run with SINGLE COPIES OF FILES - after all, they can be accessed by anyone anywhere. There's a reason it's called the "World Wide Web". So don't send me your file unless you have a good reason (no website, inactive webmaster, urgent news) why you can't host the file yourself. MULTIPLE COPIES OF ONLINE FILES ARE ANNOYING, STUPID, AND POINTLESS, whatever most office workers seem to think. Not least because when you then want to change something, you have to ask everyone to change their copy. I am and always have been very happy to host files for those who can't do it themselves, or to do so temporarily to fill a gap until the website can be updated, that's not a problem. But otherwise you should do it yourselves. OK, rant over.. RQ.
  • The competitor instructions for the Hylton LDS (UK) are online in Word format.
  • This year's Cambridge Autumn Head (UK) will be run on October 17th. Full details available here. Results are also now available for the recent Small Boats Head, in various versions (all PDF).
  • Tyne Rowing Club (UK) has shifted its website to http://www.tynerowingclub.org/ and had a revamp. Nice work - looks good and is mostly well up to date.

    Tuesday 29th September 2009

  • Very sad news - I hadn't scouted the links for this yesterday, but Paul "The Bear" Langguth (rower at IC, UTRC, LC) died tragically in a motorbike crash a week ago during the Henley area morning rush hour. See a report in the Henley Standard (UK) and its obituary of Paul.
  • Details of Tees Small Boats Head (Sat 24th October, UK) are starting to go up on the linked page. Entries will open early in October on OARA, but note that some of the information lower on the linked page is from last year's event.
  • A link to the official website for the Scottish Coastal Project (Scotland, UK), mentioned last week (below).
  • Photos from the Isis Sculls and the 2009 National Bangladeshi Boat Race (traditional Bangladeshi boats, at Falcon last week), both on BigBlade (UK).
  • Results from the Isis Sculls (UK) are online in PDF files, several versions.
  • Former rower strikes gold (Henley Standard, UK).
  • Those who saw the news about Ian Thompson may also have seen the large number of other press reports over the last few days, of which this article is one example (the Press and Journal, Scotland, UK).

    Monday 28th September 2009

  • The ARA formally changes to British Rowing today, with GB Rowing remaining the international team. The website becomes www.britishrowing.org though the old name (and also www.britishrowing.org.uk) will bounce to the new address. Emails change as follows: those which were name.surname@ara-rowing.org will become name.surname@britishrowing.org, and the old name.surname@gbrowing.org.uk will become name.surname@gbrowingteam.org.uk. Emails will also redirect for a while.
  • This year's Great Race (NZ) went to the University of Waikato, who beat a crew from Oxford University by a length and a half. Sydney University beat University of Waikato in the women's race. Highlights videos from both races and the accompanying events on the coverage page of the site. The files are large, and should run with Windows Media Player or Quicktime.
  • Rowing regattas return to the Firth of Forth (The Times, UK) - about a revival of Nordic skiff rowing.
  • The Veteran Fours Head (UK) is open for entries. FISA A-H categories 4+/4-/4x open/women/mixed, Veteran Novice 4+/4x+ (open and women only), plus IM3 4+/4x, and J18 4-/4+, both in open and women's categories.
  • The date for the Northern Regional Rowing Council AGM (UK) has been changed to 17th November 2009 to avoid clashes with other club meetings.
  • Agecroft Head (Sat 17th October, UK) is open for entries on OARA. Unfortunately the club's usual website at http://www.agecroftrc.org.uk/ seems to have been hijacked at the moment.
  • Henley Sculls (7th November, UK) is open on OARA. Payment by cheque only. Entries will only be validated by receipt of a cheque before 12 noon on 31st October.
  • The draw for Hylton Long Distance Sculls (UK, Excel format) is online.

    Sunday 27th September 2009

  • Very sad news (UK) - the Rev Ian Thompson, CUCBC treasurer, dean of chapel at King's College Cambridge and for many years central to the Cambridge college rowing community, died from heart failure last Thursday. Funeral arrangements have not yet been announced but it will be a small family event.

    Wednesday 23rd September 2009

  • The date of next year's European Championships has been set as 10th September 2010 in Montemar-o-Velho, Portugal.
  • Results for the Great River Race (provisional, UK).

    Tuesday 22nd September 2009

  • Lots of new notices on the RS board, including a vacancy for a lead coach at Molesey (UK).
  • The Iran coaching job applications vlose on 2nd November (FISA, PDF).
  • And the Singaporean Rowing Association is looking for a new coach too - closing date 30th September and PDF with details from FISA.
  • GB Rowing (UK) is looking for an administrator based at HQ in Hammersmith. Applications close on 30th September.
  • This year FISA has opened the World Rowing Awards nominations to the general public. The list of previous winners is online, and also the 2009 awards nomination form. The categories open are: Coach of the Year (must have coached an international crew during 2009); 2009 Male Rower/Crew of the Year (include information about their most recent FISA result); Female Rower/Crew of the Year (include most recent FISA result); Adaptive Rower/Crew of the Year (include most recent FISA result); Distinguished Service to Rowing Medal (include list of achievements for which they deserve the medal). I note that for some reason FISA's form says "Female Crew of the Year" rather than "Female Rower/Crew" but that must surely be a mistake. It is normal for FISA to recognise whole crews rather than just one rower from a multi-person crew. This is the first time that the adaptive crews have also been recognised. Entries close 12th October at midnight CET (GMT+2). If you want some help deciding who deserves what then the Rowing Voice has the full story of this year's World Rowing/FISA events, from the world cups to the many fine performances at the world championships.
  • And in the UK, nominations for the the Sunday Times Sportswomen of the Year Awards 2009 close at midday (BST) on Wednesday 23rd September. Nominate those women who have contributed to British sporting success in 10 categories by visiting this page and clicking on the link at the bottom. The shortlist for the actual Sportswoman of the Year will be drawn up separately by the Sunday Times judges and then opened for voting. Those who nominate in the other 10 categories will be eligible to win two tickets to the awards lunch on November 3rd.
  • On 28th September the ARA (UK) will change its name to British Rowing at all levels, and its website will shift to www.britishrowing.org. The address is already active and both that and www.british-rowing.org default to the current site and address.

    Monday 21st September 2009

  • Entries information for Pangbourne Sculls (14th November, UK). Changes this year - only two full course divisions, and no short course division for J13s and below.
  • Entries for the Pairs Head (17th October, UK) are open on OARA. Entries close on 5th October or when full: they are restricted to 400 this year beause of the late start time of 3:45pm. Full details on the official websiteNorthwich RC (UK) has shifted its website to www.northwichrowing.co.uk.
  • Baz Moffat and Carla Ashford are running their Point2Fitness junior fitness camps at half-term again by popular demand (UK). Monday 26th October to Friday 30th October, time 9am-10:30am, at Thames Rowing Club on Putney Embankment. Cost £80 if full payment is received by Friday 26th September, £100 after that. Contact Baz for further details.
  • Weybridge Silver Sculls (24th October, UK) is now open for entries on OARA only. Closing date is 10pm on Saturday 17th October.

    Sunday 20th September 2009

  • Full results of the European championships (FISA), plus a photo gallery from the same event. Greece topped the medal table with four small-boat golds (full rankings in this PDF).
  • Evesham (UK) are having a Lidl Big Weekend, with a junior head on Saturday 10th October and main head on Sunday 11th October. See details here.

    Friday 11th September 2009

  • Details of the Northern Rowing Council sculling boat loans (UK, Northern region juniors only) are now up on the NERN list. Link is to the Yahoo version of the mailing list.
  • The BUCS report from EUSA (UK).

    Thursday 10th September 2009

  • THere is also a head of rowing position going at Kingston Grammar School (UK), to start January or March 2010. The closing date is 9am on Monday 12th October.
  • Note that though not explicit, Nottingham's closing date (see below) is 19th September. The advert and application form (both Word docs) can be downloaded to speed applications.

    Wednesday 9th September 2009

  • Job openings on the Rowing Service noticeboard - Emanuel School is looking for a new assistant coach, and Nottingham has a director of rowing vacancy (both UK).
  • Entries are open on OARA for Wallingford Long Distance Scull (UK). Closing date is when 550 entries (approximately 275 per division) have been received, or 6pm on Friday 25th September at the latest. Note that the head is usually oversubscribed fast. Over 100 entries were received in the last 24 hours....

    Tuesday 8th September 2009

  • The UK Surf Rowers League website (UK) has been updated with recent results including the open championships.
  • FISA have put the entire GPS archive of the world championships online, so you can 'replay' races.
  • Also from FISA, Masters rowing live on the net from before last weekend.

    Monday 7th September 2009

  • Tonight on the BBC (UK), a sewage investigation. Should be available on iPlayer for a week afterwards.
  • Cambridge '99's regatta (UK) has a disabled woman sculler in her 20s looking for a race, using an outrigger boat. Is there anyone interested in racing her? Contact regatta@nines.rowing.org.uk if so. The club has access to an adaptive boat which could be used if need be.

    Thursday 3rd September 2009

  • The Bewdley trailer carrying boats to the World Masters in Vienna rolled on the M25 while on the way. The drivers are all OK< but the boats are unavailable... No doubt clubs will already have started making arrangements for loans from others out there, but any help given would be appreciated. There are about 40 races involved.
  • The World Masters 2009 website is here (Vienna, Austria) - this is the club website so click on the World Rowing icon for the event site. The draw (PDF) is up.
  • Take out a £20 annual subscription to the Rowing Voice and earn big discounts from rowing companies as well as a year's good rowing reading. The Voice discount scheme is now in operation - click here to see which companies are involved so far (PDF).
  • Mystic Worlds winner. At the end of the 2009 world championships it emerged that three players of Mystic Worlds - rowingmum, tuco and ahadcroft - had successfully picked 17 out of the 27 new champion crews in Poznan. A random draw was done out of the Grand Challenge Cup (actually a Hotel Polonez teacup) by Mr Christopher Dodd, who knows nothing of Mystic matters, from these three names. The winner was tuco, who turns out to be Christopher Gregory, proud father of new M4- world champion Alex. Mr Gregory wins a DVD of Paul Thompson's Rowing & Sculling DVD. a copy of Blood Over Water (one of the best rowing books ever), and a copy of this year's FISA World Championships DVD. Prizes sponsored by Rowperfect and the Rowing Voice.
  • The BUCS EUSA press release (UK). The EUSA regatta begins today in Kruszwica, Poland. BUCS crew updates via Twitter.
  • Spill of sewage into Thames kicks up a stink (Hazel Tyldesley, Sky News Online, UK).
  • Details of Monmouth Autumn Head (UK). Entries close at noon on Sunday 20th September.
  • A new website for Hull University BC (UK) at www.hubc.co.uk. Neat and tidy and with up-to-date reports.

    Wednesday 2nd September 2009

  • Poster for the UK's North-East Long Distance Sculling Series (Word doc) including additional local rules.
  • Entries for Bradford Regatta (UK) close at 2pm on Sunday 6th September (UK). Preferred method is OARA though telephone entries will be accepted between 10am and 2pm on the 6th, or by email to regatta@bradfordrowing.co.uk.
  • Birdman Photography (UK) is looking for a couple of clubs to borrow the new free-mountable video camera, to generate footage for use on the website. See the Birdman site for the current demonstration. Email or phone him to book a free test run. First come, first served.

    Wednesday 26th August 2009

  • Vesta RC (UK) has shifted its website to http://www.vestarowing.co.uk/ - all the usual material on there including for their two head-race events.
  • The Melbourne University BC book now has its own website (Australia).
  • LAST CHANCE TO ENTER MYSTIC WORLDS - The competition to predict the gold medallists at the world champs closes tonight at midnight GMT. Players who haven't yet picked all their crews, get choosing!

    Tuesday 25th August 2009

  • Rowing Voice worlds updates begin - the online magazine that brings you reports from Poznan, news, gossip, and a handy results summary (example PDF page here). Log in via the Voice website for all the worlds issues (issue 7a and its supplements) for a single cost of £3.

    Monday 24th August 2009

  • FISA worlds - live results and audio commentary via the FISA racetracker, with GPS data too showing relative positions of crews. Video coverage doesn't start until the semi-finals on Thursday, but they are putting up video interviews with athletes, some from before racing began.
  • Mystic Worlds - the competition to predict the golds and win a DVD and book bundle, has results updated daily from the reps onwards. It's much easier than it looks, because the site has charts showing how many times each crew has been picked, and how their popularity has changed through the regatta nad beforehand. So you can base your ideas on other people's suggestions.

    Sunday 23rd August 2009

  • Rowing Voice issue 3:6 now out - the worlds preview edition, £3. Log in via the Voice website.

    Friday 21st August 2009

  • Two days until the world championships begin: the official site is here in Polish and English - click through the sponsor splash-screens until you get to the main site.
  • Runcorn RC (UK) has an interesting coaching technique page, with video clips of the stroke filmed from different places in the boat, and advice. There is also a coaching objectives grid, a nice way to show how the club's progressing towards its aims.
  • A website I'm not sure I picked up before, for the West of England Amateur Rowing Association (UK).
  • A website for the iErg, a seat-pad for the erg with integrated pocket for MP3 players, iPods and the like, to make erging with music easier.
  • Iran is looking for a new juniors coach for six months to a year, deadline for applications 2nd November (PDF file).
  • Coaching positions at Clyde Amateur RC (Scotland, UK, Word file) - also on the Rowing Service noticeboard.
  • And LEH is advertising for another coach: see the Word file or the noticeboard link.
  • A website for the Atlantic Water Babes, who are taking part in the 2009 Woodvale Atlantic Rowing Race. Despite two of the rowers being from Jersey, they are using the boat built by neighbouring rivals Guernsey and used four years ago.

    Thursday 20th August 2009

  • Winners of the Bremer Cup competition (see 20th July), who now have a free entry and local expenses-paid trip to the regatta, were London RC's men, and X-Press BC's women (both UK).
  • Cadence Rowing's new Vo4 watch is now available in the UK through Fanatic Sports.
  • Oarsome Potential, (UK) run by Emily Webb (recently on Dragons' Den), the inventor of new rowing handles and grips.
  • Cambridge Autumn Regatta (Sun Sept 13th, UK) is open for entries on OARA.

    Wednesday 19th August 2009

  • London RC (UK) has a new senior coach position going.
  • And the Rowing Voice online magazine is looking for two new publications assistants in the UK, closing date Monday 31st August.
  • Crimewatch - Peterborough RC (UK) had an unusual problem at their summer regatta ten days ago: in the early hours of Sunday morning their extremely expensive weedboat was sunk during what started as a rowing escapade by party-goers swimming in the lake, but quickly turned into what amounts to an act of vandalism. There is a full statement on the Peterborough City RC website explaining the situation. Anyone with information about the incident or events leading up to it is asked to contact PCRC in strict confidence. Here's a thought - even if you know and feel sympathy for the 15-20 rowers who did this, because it sounds like they didn't intend such a huge amount of damage, it would be much better to persuade them to turn themselves in. The incident didn't happen in secrecy, there were witnesses, and it's likely all the perpetrators will be found out eventually. Better for them to own up now, show remorse and cooperate with the police, or the consequences are likely to be much worse when they are identified. If they weren't rowers, we'd all be shouting for them to be caught, wouldn't we?
  • Rivers with Griff Rhys Jones (BBC, UK) is still on the iPlayer for anyone in the UK or connected via a UK server, until Sunday 30th August. The programme's about the whole of the Lea, and at 40 minutes into the programme Griff spends some time at Lea RC and tries his hand at fine-shell rowing (badly) in the famous Lea bow-loader eight.
  • More video - Wolfson BC Oxford's recruitment video (UK) on YouTube, an epic put together from footage of the club training and racing.
  • This year's Northern Rowing Council AGM (UK) will be held at Chester le Street rowing club on Tuesday 10th November at 7:30pm.
  • Details of Durham Primary Regatta (Sat 26th September, UK).
  • The Tideway sewage petition (UK) now has more than 1,200 signatories. It would be great to get it up further, since there are more than 20,000 rowers in the UK. It has until the end of January 2010 but the more that sign early, the more ammunition we give the rowing supporters in Parliament to get something done about the sewage discharges.
  • The UK Surf Rowing League has footage from the latest round of racing on MyCornwall.TV (UK).
  • There are still a few tickets left for Talkin Tarn's 150th anniversary dinner (Saturday 26th September, Wetheral, UK). Any Talkin Tarn current or former members who wish to attend (there may be a few outside the reach of the NE Rowing mailing list this was originally published on) should email talkintarnarc@hotmail.co.uk with their name, address, contact phone number, and any special dietary requirements. Tickets are first-come, first-served, ideally before 28th August. Cost £40 per head (senior) and £37 (under-18). Kim Warwick, the club's secretary, is the contact.

    Tuesday 18th August 2009

  • Melbourne University boat club (Australia) is celebrating its 150th anniversary on 3rd September this year. A book of the club's history, Well Rowed, University, has been written (PDF flyer) and is available by mail or telephone order, details on the link, or online from the MUBC website. They have also produced a range of MUBC 150th clothing, orders via the website.
  • Rowing Canada's news page has details of the biennial multisport Canada Games, with rowing results from the event website.
  • Canada also has a full-time national domestic development officer job to cover maternity leave, deadline 31st August.
  • On 27th September Thessaloniki rowing club (Greece) is hosting the 17th annual Alexander The Great Regatta, a 1000m seafront event (iink to the Word file of the poster). Closing date Wednesday 2nd September.
  • From FISA - Great8 reunite for American head race (that's the Head of the Charles, in case you couldn't guess). The Boston Globe (USA) calls the crew rowing's version of the Dirty Dozen (ha!) and the Head of the Charles committee has waived the one-event-only rule for all rowers taking part in the Poznan world championships so that the crew can also compete in the singles event the day before.
  • Last week a bunch of (mostly rugby-playing) guys trying to break the round-Britain rowing world record (UK) rescued a light airplane pilot when his aircraft flipped into a stormy Irish Sea. Details in their blog on the website, and a YouTube video of their interview on GMTV. The crew has been rowing to raise money for Orchid, a cancer charity, but have had to abandon the attempt after getting embroiled in media coverage following their rescue of the pilot.
  • Results from the Inverness Sprint (Scotland, UK, Excel format).
  • And results from Henley T&V a fortnight ago (UK).
  • Sudbury International Regatta (UK) has its results in schedule order and tree format, with a nice clickable system going between the main list and each event in tree layout. Clicking on individual crew names will go to a timetable-style list of races for that club.
  • Maidenhead Regatta's results in Word format (UK).
  • Mystic Worlds begins (repost from Friday) - correctly predict the most world champions in Poznan and win a DVD and book prize courtesy of Rowperfect and the Rowing Service. Free to enter. See http://mystic.rowingservice.com/ for full details. Easy log-in for Mystic Henloy players - if you've already played Mystic this year, you can log in with your existing username and password to have a go at Mystic Worlds. Entries are open now, and choices can be altered any number of times until midnight GMT on Wednesday 26th August, after the heats and reps. Crews are counted as "still in" as long as they are still able to race for the gold, ie able to get to the A-final. The competition is open to anyone anywhere in the world. Messageboard - the integral messageboard for Mystic can be used to discuss the worlds, but is also available to send good-luck messages to specific crews and athletes. This year a Twitter feed will be updated when players change their choices.

    Monday 17th August 2009

  • FISA have confirmed the Youth Olympics qualified crews so far (PDF format, WorldRowing site).
  • A reminder that UL's beach party is up on 22nd August (UK), featuring, apparently, "20 tonnes of sand, cocktails, barbecue, jelly wrestling, a 30-foot swimming pool, a rave tunnel with dark cushioned corners for dark deeds, and a credit-crunch busting £20 with free bar". Tickets by post (send name and a cheque payable to UL Rowing Ltd to 83 Hartington Road, Chiswick, W4 3TU), or on the door (queues likely). The first 50 people to buy tickets will get the option to buy a beach party t-shirt for £2 (They will cost £5 on the night).

    Friday 14th August 2009

  • Entries for the worlds closed on Monday, and yesterday FISA published the list of entries and updated timetable.
  • A cautionary tale (video from BBC News, UK) - here. This guy didn't have a kill cord, strongly advised for launch users because it would kill the engine the moment you fall out. I think he was very lucky indeed. Thanks to Charles Robertshaw who posted this to the NE Rowing newsgroup yesterday.
  • Thames RC (UK) is planning various reunion events in 2010, its 150th anniversary year. The first of these is a lunch on Sunday 20th September for all those active at Thames in the 1970s, 1960s, 1950s or earlier. Open to lapsed and ex-members of the club, as well as those still active there. Similar events for later members will follow later in the 2009/10 season and people are welcome to register interest in them now. See this webpage for the details or contact Ellie Garrett on dinners "at" thamesrc.co.uk.
  • There are a few places left on the north-east England (UK) level 2 coaching course running from 11th September. See the poster and booking form (both Word files) for more details.
  • The poster for Worcester Regatta (UK, 5th September) is online (PDF format). Not on the poster, but included, are Veteran Novice eights, coxed fours, doubles and singles. The regatta also hosts the 117th annual West of England Challenge Vase for Elite Coxed Fours. Each member of the winning crew will receive an NK Cadence T1 WristRate watch, plus their names engraved on the base of the silver trophy.

    Wednesday 12th August 2009

  • Putney Town RC (UK) is running a men's beginners' course starting in September, with an open day preceding it on Sunday 6th September (1pm to 3pm). Details on the link.
  • Canada announced their world championships team - this year all fours, quads and eights apart from the two lightweight doubles.
  • The Scottish racing licence form has been updated (Word format, UK) - this version should be used from now on.
  • The OarRater stopwatch and ratewatch is now available to order, with "a specially developed algorithm to minimise errors due to uneven human input". $US25 plus postage.
  • The ARA (UK) is publicising information about Sport England's small grants programme to increase sport access (PDF file), and the email 'helpline' at funding@sportengland.org.
  • From the Environment Agency (UK), River Thames is set for 5.1 million pound upgrade together with a link to the information about works being done on the Thames this winter and lock improvment map (PDF).
  • From Sport England, a press release about their new partnership with BUCS (UK).
  • The ARA (UK) has three new jobs listed (closing dates variously 25th/31st August and 20th September). And they also have a Case award EPSRC studentship at Imperial College, working with the bioengineering department and the GB rowing team to research biodynamics of rowing. Closing date for that one 31st August, interviews on 21st September.
  • The 2009 autumn/winter Thames Region seminars (UK) have been fixed. Publishing here because I'm not sure where else they have yet been put online.
  • BUCS (UK) is running its annual club representatives development day (Sunday 13th September, UK, PDF file), this year sponsored by Price Waterhouse Coopers. Closing date for applications Friday 28th August.
  • From last weekend, all the details, results etc from Royal Canadian Henley (Canada).

    Monday 10th August 2009

  • The most convenient place to get the FISA junior results summaries and rankings is the communications page (files in PDF format). The results are now in the main results database with S and R denoting the PDF start-list and results pages as we get them at the course, with athlete names etc, and PF denoting a photofinish picture. This much better format is now stanrdard for FISA events - though this link will give the current event, so once the senior worlds begin you'll have to go hunting for the junior results. 'view' shows each race's results in the plain database format.
  • The world juniors media guide had a good interview with French coaches Dominique Basset and Olivier Pons, which was interesting enough to warrant a bigger audience. I got permission to repubiish it on the Rowing Service (PDF format, English translation).
  • A summary of those who have qualified so far for the 2010 Youth Olympics after the junior worlds.
  • Rowing Voice online magazine volume 3 issue 5 now out. Why rowing might be facing a cash crisis, Jurgen Grobler accused of cheating in Spiked, swan trouble in Cambridge, an interview with Tim McLaren, the Lucerne world cup, and coach Terry O'Neill on the problems of selecting crew boats. Race Desk, Enclosure in the Sky, Rant, Letterbox, Good Read, a book review and the summer UK racing results. Visit the Rowing Voice website to download the latest issue, register as a new subscriber or read free issues from Volume 1. Just £20 per year, and including regular mini-issues (at least every 2 days) during the week of the world championships. Deadline for next issue - Thursday 13th August 2009.
  • James and David Livingston talking about Blood Over Water at the Windsor Festival (26th September, UK). Ignore the suggestion that they're coming back to rowing: that is apparently the figment of an overactive publicists' imagination though they say "we are tempted from time to time".
  • Details of Bradford Autumn Regatta (12th September, UK). OARA is already open for entries. See the explanatory notes for rules on doubling, safety etc.
  • An article on NLRoei about why Sjoerd Hamburger isn't going to the world championships (in Dutch).
  • FISA's Athlete in Focus this month is Slovenian sculler Iztok Cop (WorldRowing).
  • Rowing headlines - Fran Nichlls hoping to become Christine Ohuruogu of rowing (Telegraph London 2012, UK, think I've seen this before somewhere else), Local rower makes history at Henley (Orillia Packet, Canada), Golden weekend (Niagara Falls Review, Canada), South Niagara shines (Welland Tribune, Canada), Rowing simulator is just the tsart for Philadelphia University's proposed college (Philadelphia Business Journal, USA), Rower picks up where she left off (St Catharine's Standard, Canada), Underdog crew revels in gold (St Catharine's Standard, Canada), Rowers get moment in sun after storm (St Catharine's Standard, Canada), UCI cuts five sprts programs (New University, USA with an update), UCI rowing: fighting to stay afloat (ditto), D'Urso, Dilleen just miss out (Robert Treharne Jones, Irish Independent< Ireland), Dilleen and D'Urso pipped (Liam Gorman, Irish Times, Ireland), Rowing club plays host to WI party (Henley Standard, UK), Rain fails to stop play (Henley Standard, UK), Local crews dominate (Henley Standard, UK), GB success (Henley Standard, UK), Yorkshire motor group backs epic challenge (The Business Desk, UK), 2008 Olympic grounds still attracting big business (China Daily, China), Hamill to tell of family's pain (Waikato Times, NZ), Shanghai to restore historic Bund buildings before World Expo (Xinhua.net, China), Rowers from Yorkshire win sponsorship to tackle Atlantic (Yorkshire Post, UK), Ottawa rowers mine more gold at Henley (Ottawa Citizen, Canada), Rowers add to impressive medal tally in world junior championships (The Australian, Australia), Lucas, Wentzel help U.S. win world title at rowing finals (Marin Independent Journal, USA), STC to organise T500 sprint (Sunday Times, Sri Lanka), Losing my sight didn't stop me from reaching the North Pole (Daily Mail, UK), Sarah Outen - rowing into history (YachtPals, UK), US women's eight wins gold at 2009 world rowing junior championships (USRowing via Row2k, USA), Lessons from the Connecticut River (Commons News, USA), Junior girls take a title treble (Newmarket Journal, UK), Top rower turns to sculling (Waikato Times, NZ), Veteran Page takes Jack Pike Sculls (Isle of Wight County Press, UK), Biggest ever entry at city rowing club's two-day regatta (Peterborough Today, UK), A special sighting (Long Beach Press-Telegram, USA), Rejects putting the awesome back into foursome (AOC, Australia), Olympic obsession (Annie Vernon's BBC blog, UK), This means oar (Maine Outdoor Journal, USA), The thrill of the chase (New Zealand Herald, NZ).

    Friday 7th August 2009

  • Rowing Voice Twittering from the junior worlds - twitter.com/rowingvoice.

    Tuesday 4th August 2009

  • Sad news last week (UK) - Alps death-fall tragedy - former University of York rower Gary Nelmes. Article has the details.
  • The Rowers Against Thames Sewage (mentioned on July 31, below), now has its website at www.thamessewage.co.uk with current news on the states of the Thames and particularly any details of London sewage release.
  • Note about the Tyne At Home regatta (UK) - it had originally moved away from its normal place in the calendar to allow the 175th Tyne Anniversary Regatta to take place. It was going to take place during the August Bank Holiday weekend on a suitable tide, but there has been virtually no interest from potential competitors and so has been cancelled, with regret, by the organising committee. Instead the club will be holding their annual internal Captain's Regatta, which external rowers are welcome to join for scratch racing. Anyone interested should contact captain Chris Parsons via the website.
  • How I rowed in Trafalgar Square (Berrows Journal, UK).
  • Rowing on Dragon's Den (UK) - iPlayer link here for those in the UK or connecting to the Net via a UK VPN, about halfway through.
  • Photos from the Home International Regatta are on Gerard Hoy's Flickr page. Anyone who wants high-resolution versions can contact him through Flickr.

    Monday 3rd August 2009

  • Sad news (UK) - sorry this should have gone up last week, but I mislaid the email. Gerald Twaite, one of the honorary life members of Weybridge RC (UK), died whilst on holiday in Gibraltar on 23rd July. He was secretary of the club in the early 1960s, and coached at both Weybridge and Stratford-upon-Avon. Funeral arrangements will be shown on the Weybridge website when available.
  • Results of the Coupe de la Jeunesse (Vichy, France) are out from the weekend (PDF files) and also from the overall Coupe site.
  • Details are already online for the Rowers Revenge Triathlon (UK), the usual row-bike-run extravaganza. Enter online from a button on the site. Usually fills up quickly.
  • Rowing results from the Maccabiah Games held in Tel Aviv (ISR) last month can be found on this page, the product of a search. Looks like they had separate silver/gold and bronze/4th races.
  • Scottish Rowing (UK) has published the latest guidance on boat transport in the UK, the result of consultation between the ARA's lawyers and the Association of Chief Police Officers. Copies hav ebeen issued to all UK police forces, but those trailing or boat-topping should also read it and ideally carry a copy when transport rowing boats.
  • Pictures from Cambridge Town Bumps on Howard Guests's Image File (UK).
  • James Cracknell and Rebecca Romero are spending the next couple of days cycling non-stop on a tandem from Land's End to John O'Groats in an attempt to beat the tandem record (just over 2 days, for 800+ miles).
  • Announcements on the WEARA website for various southwestern summer regattas (UK).
  • Chester-le-Street ARC website (UK) has had a redesign. Nice use of Google Maps.
  • And Egham Regatta (UK) has also had a website redesign, nice and clean and with laudable plans to put older results online soon.
  • Newly set up, Hull Rowing Club, a community club with city support started after the loss of the Hull University club.
  • Entries for the World Coastal Championships can be made by clubs: details here explain that they must have the backing of the relevant national federation. The deadline for entries (via the FISA website) is 5th October 2009. UK entries must reach the ARA (or by then, British Rowing), before Tuesday 23rd September so they can be checked and authorised before sending to FISA.
  • Dart Totnes' website (UK) has some neat features and has the advantage of being kept well up to date. Like several clubs they use EasyTide from the British Admiralty to predict tide times and more importantly heights: though only a week's worth free, it's good data when an event is coming up and has information from all over the world.
  • Meanwhile Milton Keynes RC (UK) is showing off with not only a website, but separately a photosite, a YouTube site, a blog and a Twitter page too.
  • Rowing coach moves to politics, Armin van Buuren at rowing champs opening (both WorldRowing, FISA).
  • Going back to the national veteran championships in June (UK), photos from Lawrence M Feaviour Photography.

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