Tuesday, October 31, 2006

Man of the Year Awards pt.1

Many have claimed that chivalry is dead and judging by the candidates for the Man of the Year Awards 2006 it looks like this statement might be well founded.

Candidate #1:

Given the choice between leaving his beloved out in the open and allowing his girlfriend to have a bed for the night there could only be one outcome…

Monday, October 30, 2006

Thames Tester

Bristol crews were out in force (or should that be four-ce?) at Upper Thames Small Boats Head yesterday and produced some interesting results. It seems the deceptively straight course caught out many of the boats, including those carrying coxswains, but the sunshine and tailwind made for excellent racing conditions.

Quickest of the day were the new improved men’s 4- finishing 43rd overall and 7th of 11 in their category. Next were the men’s quad finishing 71st and 5th of 6 in their category leaving much to do before 4’s head. Close behind were the 4+, carrying a sub due to injury but finding the race a useful experience finishing 6th of 7 in their category and 78th overall.

The real drama occurred amongst the women’s crews with the 4- being quickest and finishing 138th overall despite some foliage examination mid way down the course. A steering error left the Welshboat trailing behind a jubilant City of Bristol in the coxed fours, each finishing 159th and 154th respectively. Next up were the novices finishing a creditable 179th and bringing up the rear were the Reccies having enjoyed 4 lane racing and some restrained coxing calls from their streersman for most of the course.

The race has thrown the BETlush punters into disarray and many wait with interest for the latest odds…..

Friday, October 27, 2006

My, how you've grown

Coach should make sure she is very careful how she measures the performance gains of the men in her squad....

Thursday, October 26, 2006

Christmas is coming…

The coloured lights are already up in Bath and it won’t be long before every ad break on the tele will be bombarding you with Cliff Richard songs and offers on mince pies and tinsel.

Get into the spirit of things early by buying your ticket for the CBRC Christmas Bash:
Venue: Thistle Hotel
Date: Tuesday December 12th
Price: £30 per person (Partners are also welcome)

Price includes the following:
A White Christmas Theme where cheeky elves will greet you for a drinks reception
3 Course Festive Served Dinner
‘Comedy’ After Dinner Entertainment
Disco

Dress Code: Festive (looking for a big effort from everybody)

The organising committee need to establish the level of interest as soon as possible so please let one the following know if you intend to attend:
Nicky Heappey, Corina Brocksopp, Dee McCormack, Marcus Mumford, Tom Edwards

Wednesday, October 25, 2006

BETlush '06

Forget Bluesq.com, forget ladbrokes.com and forget paddypower - those in the know bet at BETLush for the most up to date odds! We give our punters more info, more choice, and the best chance to make a few quid. So ladies and gents, don't stand on the riverbank with your hands in your pockets - take a good look at the BETLush 4's Head form guide - and have a little flutter.

The Blokes

Brett
A combination the pundits were calling controversial, this crew couldn't ever be accused of being scale-breakers.

How would this bunch of mavericks pull it together? Who was going to swing their handbag first? However, they have shown they can make it shift. A bit of last minute GB squad coaching has resulted in a change of pace and they are shaping up nicely for a decent finish. BETLush tip for Tidiest Crew of The Day - moving in at 7-1.

Brownsword
A turbulent time for this combination, we have seen some headline grabbing antics from within Brownsword in the last couple of weeks. The crew was caught napping when Sly threw in the Green-and-Whites, and headed back towards his former Black-and-Reds. Needless to say, when there is turbulence in the air you can always rely on one man. Step forward Crusher. Now drafted into the 3 seat, there is no question that this combination will have lost any power. The question in the market though - can you take more holidays than Craig Doyle, and still get the boat together? The punters are waining at 15-2.

Sid
BETLush has taken a sideways look at this crew... One old hack, one returning veteran, The Voice of Henley, and two new boys. How will it shape up? Reports from the riverbank have suggested steady progress, and some hint of the cox pulling them all together. Overnight news has filtered through of back and hand injuries which may slow the advancement of what should represent a solid showing at S2. Midfield at best - 16-1.

The Burds

Welsh Boat
Show me the power! Well, lets hope so. There will be no excuses for a sluggish showing from this crew. This combination has been working hard on their fitness, and it shows. There is some concern that the cox has not been heard talking outside the boat, so can he muster a word on the water? Could this be the first silent delivery of a race plan? BETLush predicts a strong finish - but can they bag the scalp of the coxless boat? Show me the money at 5-1Fav.

Farn
As yet untested, there is pressure here in all areas of the race... This crew is full of some of the most competitive people around, and BetLush knows they will deliver. However, can they produce the pure power? can they make the most of the stream? can they resist the temptation to stop for a photo a Hammersmith? Next week will see the full crew return to training, and BETLush may revise its "Ample" odds of 15-2.

City Of Bristol
Personally I could listen to the dulcit tones of the Irish reading the phone book for pleasure, so lets hope it drives this crew to new heights. With two former crewmates re-united in the bows this could be the best kept secret in town. The training reports have told of a committed crew who could rock the Welsh Boat - one to watch. A heady 17-2

Windfall
This crew would ordinarily ply their trade beneath the radar. They are hard workers, and rumour has it, girls with much stamina. However, their ability to row is not the hot question. What is, is whether the cox needs a visit to Specsavers? A new addition to CBRC she has quickly earned the name Kamikaze Cox. Let those crews on the Tideway take on the fiery red head at their peril! This crew races with everything to gain, and nothing to lose. An outsider at 20-1.

Tuesday, October 24, 2006

Guess His Weight

Welcome back Mr and Mrs Hall I hope you had a nice break, but putting two rowers on an all inclusive cruise can’t have been a wise move.

I wonder which was beaten first, Dom’s appetite or the ship’s supplies?

I Rowed The World

By the wonders of t’internet you can now hook up your erg to Google Earth and row over any river.

I can’t wait to set it up for the picturesque Boston Marathon course.

Monday, October 23, 2006

NFW

After a mutiny in the men’s squad that should be the basis for ‘True Blue 2 - Back in Red and Black’, a seat has been made vacant in the coxless 4.

Finally this gives one of the most overlooked talents in the club his chance to be called up from the subs bench with barely enough time to pick the splinters from his shorts. Pending confirmation of acceptance from The Management, Mr Martin ‘Crusher’ Downey will be taking up the place as 3 man.

This could have an interesting effect on the Bet Lush odds for the 4’s head….

Friday, October 20, 2006

What’s That Skippy?

After receiving complaints that circuits are too dull I hear Coach is going to liven things up by adding a new skipping station.

I can’t wait to see the boys try these moves!

One and the Same?

Has anyone seen these two in the same room at the same time….?
Phil Chambers
Robin Gibb

Wednesday, October 18, 2006

Autumn Watch

And here we are fortunate enough to witness the rare spectacle of the Lesser Spotted Beever emerging from it’s burrow….

Run for your life!

While observing the entertaining spectacle of 2000 runners scrambling through peat bogs and tunnels in Devon on Sunday I spotted one of the supervising Royal Marines running at quite a pace while yelling ‘Get her away from me!’.
In hot pursuit was a bedraggled figure that looked suspiciously like one of the CBRC ladies who was calling back to him: ‘I only want a hug!’.

It seems that Marines may be tough but they are no match for a lady rower!

Muddy Hell

The results for this years Commando Challenge look pretty good:

The Blokes
CBRC1 – The Greased Whippets
1hr 5m, 2nd fastest, 20th overall.

CBRC2 – 6 men and Their Tights
1hr 19m, 36th Fastest, 50th overall


The Burds
CBRC3 – Nice Set of Bristols
1hr 41m,, 14th fastest, 11th overall

CBRC4-(No Comedy Name Given)
1hr 21m, 3rd fastest, 7th overall

Tuesday, October 17, 2006

What A Pair of....

Well done to Dom and Morgan for a superb result at The Pairs Head on Saturday finishing 2nd in the Senior 2 event in a time of 13:22.

Monday, October 16, 2006

Thousand Yard Stare

Well done to the CBRC platoon of four squads who braved the field of combat in Devon yesterday for this year’s Commando Challenge. The test of stamina, determination and bravery proved to be no problem* for the intrepid teams with some hardened veterans of the event even claiming that it was now ‘Too tame’. Maybe they should be trying the Tough Guy Event next time?

Full results and photos are being released tomorrow.
*With the exception of privates McGaul and Lancaster who bypassed the terrifying water tunnel.

And now a message from our sponsors

Vaseline
Because friction is no fun.

Friday, October 13, 2006

Friday’s Fantastic Statistic

Did you know that the average clinically obese American breaks 3 toilets per year?

It could be a good time to invest in shares in the Great John Toilet Company.

Surely Some Mistake

I’ve just flicked through the latest copy of everyone’s favourite monthly publication: Rowing and Regatta Magazine, and have not found a single mention of CBRC, not even a photo.

This is particularly disappointing given the time and effort I put into my article: “Gurt’s guide to surviving winter on the docks using a flagon of Thatchers and a pork pie” that I sent to them.

Maybe they’re saving it for the bumper Christmas edition.

Wednesday, October 11, 2006

New Club Kit

I’ve just heard from the Kit Queen that because the club has ordered more than 20 all-in-ones JL will offer a free upgrade from the standard ‘Unisuit’ to their new ‘Terminal Velocity’ version.

It’ll keep you warm if nothing else…

Tuesday, October 10, 2006

Worcester Winnings

The head season is well and truly upon us and Sunday saw a few crews from the club make the trip up the M5 to Worcester to test their speed on the water.

In division 1 the (mostly) Vet quad started in pole position but a bit of parallel parking mid way down the course put them 8s behind the S2 winners.

The Women’s S3 4+ had a tussle with a double at the same point on the course but still managed to romp home as winners in their category, 22s faster than the next placed crew. These girls could be a four-ce to be reckoned with on The Tideway next month.

In division 2 Jack finished second in the S4 sculls, this time negotiating the course without incident and there was an upset in the women’s S4 fours as the novice 4+ managed to win the category ahead of the senior 4+.

Monday, October 09, 2006

DK Decoration Services

No job too small or too large,
Unusual patterns and textures a speciality,
References available upon request.

“If your walls are looking dreary then be sure to call Kearly”

We'll Have no Trouble Here

The report from Friday night’s Men’s squad dinner has been handed to me on a wine soaked napkin and it sounds like it was a very reserved evening.

In fact, as a sign of their commitment to the next morning’s training outing, the group left the restaurant nice and early to ensure that they were home in time to get a good night’s sleep.

I am told that the other guests in the restaurant asked the manager to congratulate the party on their good behaviour and I’m sure the boys will be welcomed back next year.

Friday, October 06, 2006

A Nice Chianti

Wine stockists around Bristol are being drained of their reserves of fine Lambrini and Blue Nun as the sommelier for this evening’s men’s squad dinner has been trying to accumulate enough bottles to satisfy the thirst of the attending oarsmen.

The manager of Threshers was said to be shocked when asked if he could supply 46 cases of his most quaffable plonk: “I’d just imported half a truck load of this lovely Rouge Des Valu to sell to the students but now it’s all gone, now I’ll have to try and sell them Babycham instead…”.

Branches of Boots are bracing themselves for the inevitable rush for Alka Seltza and paracetemol tomorrow morning.

Have a Nice Day

Today is the National Day of Courtesy (ignore the date, they moved it to today) so remember to pour your neighbour a drink before you take one for yourself, let drivers out of side roads (BMW drivers may find this particularily difficult) and open doors for others.

Enjoy the warm glow inside that may result from these actions!

Oh I Do Like to Be Beside the Seaside

Brighten up your Friday by watching this fascinating webcam of Britain's shortest peir down at lovely Burnham on Sea.

Anyone for a donkey ride?

Wednesday, October 04, 2006

Edible Racing Craft

Heavy, wide, brightly coloured and slow. These sound like they’ll be about as much fun as an outing in a Virus.

Tuesday, October 03, 2006

Return of the Thekla

Remember the dark, dingy, slightly damp club on a boat... With it's mix of live bands downstairs and cheesy 70's disco and cheese toasties upstairs?

Well the good news is that the Theka is back... Fresh from a refurb - hopefully more that just a paint job - But then again the dark stairs and cans of Red Stripe are what made it...

You never know, we might even get a rowing night out that does not end in LaRocca?!? wonders may never cease!

Pipped at the post

To prove that we are not ‘just’ a rowing club, a couple of our slightly less sane members, Marcus and Stuey (Rob Beaver was also supposed to be there, but contracted some kind of ‘disease’ which prevented him from training – and completing his 5k?!?), headed off down the M4 to Marlow to compete in the rowers revenge triathlon. Starting off with a 4k row, followed by a 25k cycle and finishing off with a 7.5k run.

Just a Marcus was coming up to the finish, thinking he had got the better of Stuey, guess who should cruise up to his shoulder, and overtake… After leading all the way around, beaten by 300th of a second!!

Well done to Stu and Marcus – 37th, and 38th respectively out of 378 competitors – roll on the commando challenge!

Look Ahead!

Cold off the press is news of the first crash of the season:
On their debut outing, the men's coxless 4 managed to get up close and personal with the men's quad last week.

The steersman of the 4- was seen to be struggling to control the power being generated by the new recruits in the stern but luckily the trusty Scottish-spinal-braking-system™ installed in the quad brought both boats to a standstill with no damage to the equipment.

Any donations of spare vertebrae would be gratefully received by the bowman of the quad.

City of Bristol RC Annual General Meeting

The Time: 7:15pm, Wednesday 4th October

The Place: The Nova Scotia

Everyone in the club, new and old, are encouraged to attend so that you can have your say on how the club is run and who will be running it for the 06/07 season.

Monday, October 02, 2006

He's a Lady

While strolling up Christmas Steps on Thursday evening I caught a glimpse of a very civilised gathering of young ladies from CBRC in Big O Little O.

However upon closer inspection it seemed that one of the party appeared to be neither young nor a lady. I gather that, for one night only, the new women’s-squad-assistant-coach had been awarded the status of honoury female.

Sadly this didn’t extend to him having to wear a dress (at least not in public) but I hear he did choose to wear appropriate underwear.

Whether this had to be borrowed or came from his own personal collection is not clear…..