Learn2Row course starting in January 2013

Do you want to learn how to row?  Then  join us for our next Learn2Row  course starting in January 2013.
Learn2Row is open to all members and non-members  who would like to learn how to row.  If you’ve never been in a boat or have  only tried it once or twice then this is the course for you.
The objectives of Learn2Row are to:
  • Introduce you to the sport of rowing
  • Teach you the British Rowing technique in a safe and friendly environment
  • Provide individual coaching to help you develop your rowing technique
  • Build your confidence on the water
  • Improve your fitness and have some fun
You will receive coaching from our qualified  coaches and will progress from rowing in restricted fours to rowing in one of  our eights.
The Learn2Row course consists of six modules, run over  a 4 week period.  Each module builds on the progress made in the previous  module however the course structure is flexible and will be tailored to suit the  needs and wishes of the participants.
The dates and times for the course  are:
Module Date Time Suggested session   plan
Module 1 Sat 19 Jan 10-12:30 Introduction & water     session
Module 2 Wed 23 Jan 7-9pm Stroke sequence (Rowing tank Oxford       University)
Module 3 Sat 26 Jan 10-12:30 Stroke sequence, boat handling &       confidence skills
Module 4 Wed 30 Jan 7-9pm The catch & extraction (Rowing tank       Oxford University)
Module 5 Sat 2 Feb 10-12:30 Rhythm & balance
Module 6 Sat 9 Feb 10-12:30 Putting it all   together
Who can attend? The course is open to  anyone 18 years or over – members and non-members
Course Fee:  £125 (this includes  membership to British Rowing, but does not include club membership.  This  can be purchased at £60 for the year should you decide to continue rowing with  GGBC)
How many participants:  To  ensure everyone gets the most from the course numbers are limited to just 12  participants Location:  The course will be run from the GGBC  site, Whitchurch on Thames.
If you would like to join the January Learn2Row or have any question  then please contact Stuart Cowen (stuartcowen@ntlworld.com) or Geoff Arnold (garnold@tinyonline.co.uk).
Goring Gap Boat Club www.goringgapbc.org.uk

Xmas dinner – Saturday December 15th

Advanced date for your diary! – Saturday December 15th

After an enjoyable and successful evening last year, we shall again hold our annual dinner at the ever popular Pierreponts restaurant in Goring – Ranked #1 of restaurants in Goring-on-Thames on Trip Advisor!!

There will be a welcoming drink, a three course meal with a choice of two menus (plus vegetarian option) for around £30.

Our Chairman has promised to dress up as Father Christmas and give us a witty end of term speech (Ho, Ho, Ho ..) and Geoff will look pretty dressed in Leander pink!

Seats are strictly limited however, so this is an advanced notice, as it will be first come (with cheque!) first served.

Keep the date in your diary and Neil Derbyshire will send out further information with menu choices and reservation instructions towards the end of the month

Regatta Training Update Week 2 & 3

To all Regatta Volunteers

We have now successfully completed our second week of Regatta Training and we are therefore half way there. For the mathematicians,144 sessions delivered,144 to go!

Conditions

Fortunately, the weather has been much kinder during Week 2 and those regatta crews that went out in Week 1 have really noticed the difference. While we have had no “red boards” and quite a lot of sunshine, our valiant coxes have had to deal with strong cross-winds, particularly during the second half of the week. I believe these conditions will continue into Week 3.

In response, Session Managers have been allocating more experienced Coxes to novice crews and vice versa. This has worked well and should be continued.

By the end of the Regatta Training season we should hopefully end up with a significantly larger group of “coxes for all seasons”.

Boats

We have obviously been carrying out minor running repairs throughout the first 2 weeks – typically the occasional bent rudder, various seat problems and replacing / tightening nuts, bolts, straps etc. I also need to report that Ratty has suffered some sax-board damage at stroke (opposite the rigger) almost certainly caused by a rower getting his or her handle caught on either Thursday or Friday. An assessment is needed as to how this is repaired / made safe. I am also concerned about a potentially sharp edge which could cause injury to a novice stroke.

For now, I would recommend that:

All coxes be aware of the current condition of Ratty
That Ratty be made safe – tape?
Given that all 4 boats have been subject to 2 weeks heavy usage, that they be checked over by the Captain of Boats during a Club session?
That all coxes remember to REPORT DAMAGE as soon as it happens.

 Helpers

During the first week and a half, we have enjoyed a fantastic level of helper support from people like Jimmy, Andrew and others. This has tailed off during the second half of Week 2 so…if you are not a Cox or a Session Manager, there is always plenty to do and Session Managers would really appreciate an extra pair of hands to set up sessions, help crews in and out and provide an extra pair of eyes etc..

E-Allocator

As a number of you have reported, some crews have been booking themselves in as Coxes rather than as Crews. This obviously means that some potential coxes can’t clearly see vacancies while others are reluctant to over-write someone else’s booking.

On Friday, I sent an individual message to each of these crews asking them to delete and rebook. At the same time, I sent a message to ALL crews asking them to beware of this pitfall. Since the response to these messages was not immediate, and other crews have done the same thing during the past 48 hours (moving target), I have today called or left messages for as many crews as possible and have sent further messages to them all via e-allocator.

In light this, and if you are wishing to book in as a cox, please now feel free to over-write a crew entry in the Cox column. The crews have been advised / warned that they run the risk of being turned away unless they rebook.

Resourcing for Week 3

I am pleased to report that Thursday and Saturday are currently fully resourced (although things can change!).

I am still short of the following:
A Session Manager for Friday, 6th July
A number of Coxes for Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday.
The overall position is a follows:

WEEK 3 RESOURCING PER E-ALLOCATOR – 1st JULY

Day Date Session Coxes Coxes Coxing
Manager Required Available Shortfall

Mon    25 June 2012     Tracy     4 2 -2
Tues   26 June 2012     David P  4 3 -1
Wed   27 June 2012      Karl        4 3.3 -0.7
Thur   28 June 2012    Tim Gill  4 4 0
Fri      29 June 2012      ?              4 3 – 1
Sat     30 June 2012      Geoff      4 4 0
24 19.3 -4.7

Once again, please volunteer and close off as many of these gaps as you can.

With thanks and best regards,

Geoff.

Regatta Training – Update and Appeal for Week 2

Dear Volunteers,
Regatta Training is now in full swing and we have already completed 3 fun-packed evenings!  By way of a real bonus, 2 members who completed the mini “Learn 2 Cox” session earlier this year have stepped up, overcome their initial fears and have performed way beyond expectations!  My special thanks to them – they know who they are! . I have also very much appreciated the help and good company of 2 stalwart helpers in Jimmy and Andrew.
My sincere thanks to everyone (not forgetting Andy, our Captain of Boats) who have made this possible.
Week 1 is now fully resourced and is essentially “in the bag”.
HOWEVER, and before we get too complacent, Week 2 is far from secure and I am therefore launching yet another appeal for help.
The Week 2 situation is currently as follows:-
WEEK 2 RESOURCING  PER E-ALLOCATOR – 21st JUNE
Day Date Session Coxes Coxes Coxing
Manager Required Available Shortfall
Mon 25 June 2012 ? 4 1 3
Tues 26 June 2012 David P 4 4 0
Wed 27 June 2012 ? 4 0 4
Thur 28 June 2012 ? 4 2 2
Fri 29 June 2012 ? 4 2 2
Sat 30 June 2012 Tim Gill 4 0 4
24 9 15
You will see that I am missing:
  • 4 Session Managers (where are they all?)
  • a large number of Coxes.
While I am aware that a number of you may be “holding back”, please consider my well-being and get yourselves booked in as soon as possible!!  I would hate any Session Manager having to cancel a training sessiohn for lack of support
Thank you
Geoff.