Friday Quiz

Just when you were bored, thinking "what shall I do to kill the last few minutes before I can go home for the weekend?"

Uncle Gurt comes to the rescue. Try this:
(sound recommended - you wont get fired)

http://www2.b3ta.com/gruesometwosomes/

"oh my love....."

Finding Rona

It looks like she's getting quite good at sculling.....I didn't know she was Polish though....

Feeling Hot, Hot, Hot

Finding things a little too warm at the moment? There may only be one way to cool things down: Sign here.

Accident Prone

Poor Paddy was the victim of another wanton attack while out sculling on Saturday morning. Busily minding his own business while moving his boat very nicely he heard a shout of ‘ahead sculler’ from nearby. Still recovering from his close encounter with the ferry earlier in the year he feared the big red boat was back to finish him off and braced himself for a plunge into the docks.

However the call had come from a Vet A pair that was struggling with it’s steering and charged straight into the hapless sculler. Luckily both boats stayed upright but not without a few white knuckles and a number of yelps.

Just to remind Mr Crofts: the rules of the river state that you stay on the right hand side at all times!

Tasty

This week the potential intake for next season's Learn To Row course will be taking to the water for their 'taster' sessions. All exising members are encouraged to help out, just let Caroline know if you are free.

It's always fun to see who can make the first one cry on the ergs but it's also an opportunity to start making some new 'social' connections.

Talent spotting for the men starts at 6:30 or 8:30 tonight and tomorrow and for the ladies it's next week: same times, same days.

Bristol Fest

We are now entering the festival season and Bristol seems to have more than it's fair share of gatherings this summer.

With no CBRC presence at Bewdley this weekend it's a good opportunity to wander over to the Ashton Court Music Festival to sample some of the delights of Bristol's home grown talent as well as some more familiar names including Simple Minds and The Go! Team.

You'll find me propped up at the back of the World Music Tent in my finest tank top listening to 'Alphonse and the Hélélé Afro-Jazz Band'. Niiiiiiiccce.

Coming up in the next few weeks we've got the Harbour, Kite, Balloon, Organic Food and Flower festivals as well as Bristol's Mardi Gras Fringe Festival amongst others. Get the low down on all these goings on here.

That doesn't leave many weekends free for rowing though....

Should I Stay or Should I Go?

I've always suspected Gurtrude of eroding my inteligence , and now here's the proof.

It's the spare room for me tonight!

Cash Collecting

A long time ago in a shopping centre not too far away quite a few people gave up their Sunday to sit on an ergo in order to raise cash for the club. All well and good you might think, but only if you collect the sponsorship money afterwards! Apparently only 3 people have handed in their donations out of 40 participants.
Come on folks, pester those people who promised to give you something for your efforts, you can even show them the article in Rowing and Regatta to prove that you did it!

Also, don't forget to get your tickets for the inaugural CBRC rounders match which takes place on the 17th August, full details here. The ticket vendors, Nicky and Dee, are pictured here to the left and right of Julia respectively.

Photo courtesy of AA.

Germany's Finest Export

I am ashamed to say that I forgot to wish The Hoff a Happy Birthday on Monday.

Here's a clip of the man in action to make up for it.

Scorchio!

In this heat I find it uncomfortable wearing anything more than my trusty speedos so it was amazing to see the Egyptian lightweight double scull racing at Lucerne 2 weeks ago wearing full length tech tops, tights and head scarves.

Toasty.

Feeling blue?

This'll cheer you up.
(Sound required for full appreciation I'm afraid)

Sorry Ladies…

…but the club’s favourite furry cockney may have become romantically attached.

Gurtrude and I wish him all the best.

Better get in quick if you want one of the two remaining senior men as I hear one of them has been receiving a bit of interest from one of the novice women and the other is attempting to woo a young lady from Devon.

All Bought and Paid For

Next time you cast admiring glances at the huge gut sat in the boat next to you at the start line of a regatta spare a thought for the time and money involved in creating that special look.

Who would have thought that pies and cider would be so expensive?

Stunt Sculling

Here's a useful video clip with some exercises for the novice scullers to try, preferably not in winter in front of a ferry though.

Keep it Clean

Due to the ever present risk of dock water, mud and bodily fluids Rowing and mobile phones have never gone well together. Well now there may be a solution that will allow you to keep your gadgets safe from harm: Mobile Skins.

Despite the familiar appearance of these protective sleeves, they have nothing to do with phone manufacturer Siemens, who incidentally have just signed a £3.2m sponsorship deal with the GB rowing squad.

I Want to Ride My Bicycle

On Monday the hard working novice coach, Neil Bromwich, hung up his launch keys and climbed on his bike to take part in the famous Etape Du Tour. This is a gruelling 190km race over a stage of the Tour Du France.

A persistent back injury prevented consisting training and it showed as he scaled the first big climb of the day. With 90km covered he was forced to retire at the summit of the 2300m high mountain.

It was a fine effort though and hopefully he’ll achieve a better result next year.

Teach an Aussie to Row

"Due to a last minute hitch, Gippsland Grammar, Australia has a gap (ie gap year) vacancy for a rowing person, with good rowing experiences, to help with our rowing programme. The position requires that you provide your own transport to and from Australia. We will provide accommodation, meals and a small weekly cash allowance. Our rowing season runs from October to March/April. There are opportunities for you to continue rowing/sculling, compete in local regattas and possibly compete in the Australian Nationals while you are here. For further information please contact Frank Stone on fj.stone(@)gippsland.edu.au"

Sounds tempting to me....

Mirror, Signal, Manoeuvre

Having observed yet more dubious steering from the coxless boats racing at the weekend (the most impressive of which being the S3 2x, who hit every single buoy on the course) I’ve found a useful safety device that may help these boats signal their intended course to other river users.

It may also be useful when negotiating the mean streets of Broadmead on Saturday afternoons

Addict?

No friends outside of the boat club? Constantly got the urge to be on the water? Are the only websites you look at rowing related?

If your answer to all of these is yes then maybe you're an addict.

Save the Scots

The shocking photo below highlights the plight of many hundreds of Scotsmen around the world who suffer from the terrible effects of an extreme lack of alcohol on a Sunday morning. If you see someone in a similar state then please give generously with either loose change or whisky.
Victims can be identified by incomprehensible speech, unprovoked violence and the presence of deep fried confectionary about their person.
With your help we can keep these people in a constant state of inebriation and prevent this happening again.

Full Moon Party

In the good old days we always rowed bare back so it was nice to see a double scull and pair reaching back to the sport's roots by racing wearing nothing but a smile on the River Taff on Saturday night. Most of the photos taken of their exploits were too dark to be usable but this one came out well.

Camping Trip

I'm glad to hear that the Bristol boys were demonstrating how comfortable they are with their sexualities during the party in Llandaff Rowing Club on Saturday night.





Click the pics for a closer inspection if you've got the stomach for it.

Winning in Wales

Not quite a record breaking weekend’s winnings but close as CBRC brought a total of 38 pots back to England from Llandaff.

The roll of honour:
Men’s Novice Four
Womens S2 Eight – Saturday and Sunday
Hall and Specht S3 Pair
Mixed S3 Eight
Men’s S3 Eight composite with Cardiff City

Particular congratulations to the Novice 4 as some of the crew have been looking for that first win since they started rowing in 1984.

HVR 2006

It was another fine day on the Thames for Henley Veteran Regatta on Friday and City of Bristol’s Vet B 4+ put in a fine performance against Molesey. As tradition dictates with CBRC fours at Henley there were a few issues with the steering but once disentangled with the booms the boat seemed to move very well. Sadly not fast enough to win the race but by all accounts a great experience and one to be repeated next year.

More photos here and there seems to be a distinct lack of a Bristol quad for the Vet C race here. Anyone know what happened to them?

Strike three - you're out

I am sure you have all seen the information on the slightly less significant Bristol Rowers 'gossip' site, but for those who don't bother read on... I'm sure it will all be good fun, and for the price of a fiver you get fed and watered!

Bristol Rowers Rounders Match

With BBQ and Drinks plus a chance for all members to realise each others competitiveness!

Thursday 17th August 2006, 1900 - late
At The Water Tower, The Downs

Ticket price: £5.00

Please get your ticket from Dee or Nicky by Friday 21st July

All funds will go towards all food and drink (alcoholic and non-alcoholic)

Henley Veteran Regatta

The supermarkets in and around Henley will be clearing their shelves of Pimms and stocking up on cod liver oil tablets and herbal tea as Henley Veteran Regatta kicks of tomorrow.

City of Bristol RC have entered two crews this year: The Vet B 4+ will race Molesey tomorrow and the Vet C 4x are looking to avenge the Men's 8 defeat last week by taking on London on Saturday.

Good luck chaps, but don't over do it!

Centrefolds

Imagine my delight when I opened this months Regatta and Rowing magazine to find the CBRC Women's Henley 8 on the centre spread. It made up for the shock of seeing a picture of Eminem on an ergo earlier in the issue.

Row TV

I accidentally switched my television set over to ITV last night and was amazed to find a rowing based drama of the quality that even the director of True Blue would be ashamed of. From what I could gather Jim Bergerac was attempting to solve a murder case that had occurred at Midsomer Regatta, an event that looked suspiciously similar to a certain Thames based Regatta.

The highlight of what was a very dull episode was the cameo appearance of Sir Steve Redgrave as an Olympic talent spotter. I’m sure the Royal Shakespear Company will be signing him up shortly.

Aloha Boyo!

A large proportion of the club will be venturing across the Severn Bridge this weekend for the year’s most anticipated event: Llandaff International Regatta.

Crews of all shapes and sizes are competing including the inaugural race for the formidable Specht/Hall pair on Saturday and two rather fine looking mixed eights on Sunday. For the novices this could be the regatta to claim that illusive first win, though be careful when diving into the river for the celebratory swim as the water is only 4” deep.

On Saturday evening there will be a barbecue in the campsite and it is hoped that many of the club will be able to come along, even if you are not racing. The dress code is Hawaii 5-O so dig out those grass skirts and lurid shirts.

The record so far is 43 pots in a single weekend but I’m sure it can be beaten…

CBRC Website Facelift

The CBRC Webmonkeys have been busy reshaping and revamping the club website and it now sports a fresh new banner, colour scheme and layout.

Thanks to Kirsty and Julia for their hard work, if you have any suggestions for further improvements or features then they should be directed to the Webmaster.

Don’t forget to buy yours CDs, holidays and insurance through the club shop on the website. Every little helps!

Separated at Birth?

Morgan Specht - One of Bristol's finest oarsmen


Andy Murray - One of Britain's finest tennis players

Food Glorious Food

At a recent family reunion in Numpnett Thrubwell I was introduced to my 2nd cousin twice removed, Gurt Nosh, and was pleased to find that we both shared a love for both cider and fine food. Not only that but he has set up a blog on the subject of eating out in Bristol.

I'll be contributing a review of Gloria's shortly.

Eating Disorder

Lord McAlpine’s groundsman was puzzled to find small pieces of carrot beneath one of the windows of The Lodge in Henley on Saturday morning. It seems the heat of the previous day had taken it’s toll on Mr Mumford, despite constant liquid refreshment, and he had to have a bit of a 'moment' at the window before bedtime.
Perhaps this is how he maintains such a slight frame?

Just a taster

One should always remember that there are camera's everywhere...

It was only a matter of time until the photograpic evidence from Ironbridge finally appeared, and luckily they fell into the hands of Gurt - and not the Angels.


More photos will be published later depending on demand....