Vive La France!

Voici quelques messieurs charmants appréciant une nuit dehors dans un hostelries fins de l'Angleterre. Plat des escargots et des cuisses de la grenouille non montrées.

Law and Order

Many congatulations to Dr. Sam Bailey and Dr. Rhiannon Turner for passing their law exams.

If you've had an accident that wasn't your fault then maybe they can win you a handsome cash settlement. Remember: where there's blame there's a claim.

Playing the Field

There was much rejoicing in the rugby world at the weekend as the man mountain that is Martin Downey took to the pitch once again.
Never one to disappoint his fans, he ended the match with a demonstration of why he earned the name ‘Crusher’ by starting a fight and promptly being awarded the red card.

That’ll be the last time his son asks him to sub in on his team!

Your starter for ten

While at a pub quiz on Saturday I was stumped by the question: “Name a large bodied ungulate that uses post gastric digestion”.

If only I’d had the proposed women’s captain on my team, it seems this is her specialist subject.

Hip Hop You Don't Stop

If you're like me, then you've longed to be able to Drop the Bomb each weekend just like Timothy Westwood. Well now you can. It's totally crazy man.

Because CBRC is an inner city club, rowing through the streets for da people it seems appropriate that we have an urban anthem. Here's my first attempt, learn the words* and sing along during your next outing

....word up.

*Parental advisory: Explicit Lyrics

Man vs Panda

I've just been making some plans for the weekend: a few mugs of cider, a trip to the Zoo, perhaps some contact with the nice furry animals. Sounds great...

"No one ever said they would bite people. I just wanted to touch it."

The Running Man

It may have been hot and it may have been sunny on Sunday but there is really no excuse for the wearing of this ensemble---->

I can only guess that he got dressed in a very dark room.

That'll Teach 'em

We all had to start our illustrious rowing careers somewhere and for many that somewhere was the internationally renown CBRC learn to row course. 2 of the members of the men’s Henley 8 were home grown talent and many of the ladies have progressed through from Novice to Wimmin’s Henley* thanks to coaching and support in the early days.

However the success of the course is dependant upon people volunteering to help nurture the latest recruits so that they can become the next Morgan Specht or Julia Maunder.

So far there have been very few willing (or even unwilling) candidates putting their names forward each week making things difficult for the hard working LTR co-ordinators. But if everyone spares their time for just one or two sessions over the next couple of months then it will make a massive difference.

So let Dave know when you want to help and he’ll let you know what needs to be done.

*©Tideway Slug 2006

Bye Bye Beaver

It’s nearly time to say farewell to one of the club’s most youthful and aristocratic members as Tim Beaver is released into the wilds of London Village this weekend.

To make sure he leaves Bristol with a hangover there will be a gathering in the Roo bar on Friday starting at 8:00 with the inevitable final destination being La Roca.

As Tim is off to study Français you are encouraged to wear an item of clothing related to our friends across the channel. Please note that this does not include FCUK t-shirts.

Of course you are also encouraged to don your favorite velvet jacket.

Good Luck Tim!

Grrrreeeat

Saturday saw a mass of unusual craft take to the Thames to compete in the Great River Race. 273 crews of foolhardy oarsfolk rowed the 22 miles from Richmond to Greenwich in fixed seat boats, including this lot from Bristol:

Isambard Brunel's Bristol Boaters

Pete V, Robin Phillip, and his nephew plus Nicky, Lisa and Jenny finished 199th in a time of 3hours 22mins, their chosen craft being a Solent Galley.

Pete is keen to promote skiff rowing in the docks so if you fancy a go (and think you are tough enough) then have a word with him.

A race of one half - Update 1

The city was littered with puffing and panting rowers who were running the half marathon yesterday. The results so far as are follows:

Marcus - 394 1:31.16
Sam - 526 1:33.26
Dr Jones (running under his weekend persona of Sara Jones) - 775 1:36.46
Filthy Phil - 2089 1:47.54
Jane - 3722 1:57.49
Julia - 4835 2:04.04
Russ - 6024 2:11.05
Nick Baker - 6792 2:16.25

Good work folks.

Others were spotted but were presumably running under pseudonyms so let me know your time and I’ll add you to the list (if you want to share that information of course).

There was an early candidate for fashion statement of the year on the course too, photos to follow shortly.

Captain Bath Rust's new career

Anyone worried about what our illustrious soon-to-be-ex Men's Captain can do to fill his time after he's relinquished his duties need worry no longer - a career on the stage beckons!

Rowing and Waterskiing

Fed up with the waterskiing getting in the way of your training?!?

Well, whilst perusing the interweb, I think I have found an answer!


It has got to be better than power strokes!

Oh - and incase you don't believe the picture - watch here how to really do it!

Ou est Gurt?

Afternoon all, Reet 'ere

It has been a few days since anyone has heard from Gurt, so I figured he's probably been at the Black Rat again and has passed out in a ditch somewhere.

So I thought I'd better keep you punters amused, and try to satisy your salacious appetite for tittle tattle.

Well I picked up this little beauty from my mate The Slug this morning:


HAIRY SITUATION?
Whilst the 5th and last round of this year's UK surf rowing summer series took place in Cornwall last week, the Leander and Marlow crews who took part in the World Champs in August weren't present... a decision which may perhaps be explained in part by the following.

"Dear Slug
I read with some interest your previous mutterings regarding Marlow and Leander's recent attempts in the UK Surfboat Rowing Champs. Well, during recent conversation with the organiser it appears that our men from the pink club were somewhat dumbfounded by the kit.
It is commonplace to share boats between men and women during racing, and owing to the lack of seats it is only the skin of one's backside (+ water) that allows movement up and down the slide. One can only assume that they were concerned about leaving unwanted hair behind, because when presented with their racing speedos they replied "shall we shave down?"
Voluntary Brazillians for the whole crew... what next - back, sack and crack?

Yours Red Cheeks"

any excuse, eh boys?

Ocean Riders 2006 - Official Press Release

This weekend witnessed the completion of the second official annual CBRC Tour - this time to Perranporth, Cornwall.

Following last year's fine display in Bordeaux, eight members of the Men's Squad were invited to take part in the final round of the UK Surfboat Rowing League to take place in Portreath. As guests of Perranporth Surf Life Saving Club, the squad was handsomely looked after by Pete Gaisford, his family and numerous club members.

To say there was a vertical learning curve is pushing it a little, but the wearing of rash vests and speedos left the crews in no doubt that this sport was different. When the coaches informed the crews that the best way to gain significant advantages was to drill the technical aspects, we thought we were on familiar ground. However, these aspects turned out to be the entry to the boat, the turn around the buoy, and the dismount of the bow man to run up the beach. This was going to be tougher than we thought!

The boats were fours, with oarsmen sat in a staggered formation on the "opposite" side of the boat to the rigger. Our hosts provided a "sweep" (cox to you and I), and most importantly there were no seats! A shiny bit of plastic, plus water, plus 2 x bum cheeks provided for a unique set of blisters.

Due to the unpredictability of the sea, races in the UKSRL are held over a series of heats to level it up.

Well, CBRC made a fine showing during racing on Saturday, on a flat sea (due mainly to the strong offshore breeze). In heats of 6 boats, we came home with four 3rds, a 4th and a 6th, proving that we were finding the flat conditions to our favour. More surf and things would not have been quite so straight forward!

The surf finally got up on the Sunday, and we got the chance to experience some decent conditions. To say that the bow man usually catches all the weather is nothing compared to being doused in three feet of white water as a wave breaks onto the boat! You can very quickly forget that you have got speedos wedged up your crack when you are fighting through the best that the Atlantic Ocean can offer you that day.

As for off the water... very quiet, as you would expect. We had fantastic hosts, an idyllic beach side residence, and the chance to savour Cornish Ale, Rattler Cider and the wearing of the smell of the 1980's - Brut.

The return fixture is already in the planning.

The CBRC Diet

Gurtrude is constantly nagging me to try new diets but now I think I've found one that might actually work.

It's white russians and creme de menthe for me from now on!

Colour Codes

Ever wished that there was some way of finding out which clubs use which colour blades? No, me neither but former CBRC men’s skipper Doug Rathburn clearly has and has put together a website to serve that exact purpose.

Doug obviously needs a new hobby to fill his time now that he no longer has to look after the CBRC men and so feel free to make some suggestions. The best will be passed on to him.

Stop skying bow!

And you thought the docks were rough on a windy day:

To Let

First floor of charming Clifton mews house in quiet cul de sac. Accommodation comprises lounge, two bedrooms and roof terrace. Owner confined to ground floor as no longer able to use the stairs.

Duration of lease dependant on time required to install a Stannah Stair Lift.

all enquiries to champagne-makes-me-fall-over@hotmail.co.uk

An 18 year old with 22 years experience

The great hill of life has been climbed and sumitted and now the long freewheel down the other side can be enjoyed as Mr Neil Bromwich reaches the momentous landmark that is his 40th Birthday.

I have been lucky enough to be given a picture of what Mr and Mrs Bromwich were presented with on that fateful day in 1966.
Many happy returns for the weekend Neil, don’t forget to claim your free bus pass!

Bodge it Yourself

With winter training just around the corner, many will be looking forward to hours on the ergo in a freezing cold boathouse. But wouldn’t it be nice if you had your own ergo in the comfort of your own home?

Well now you can make that dream a reality by building your own rowing machine.

Apparently you can do it when you B&Q it.