Rowers or Runners?

Now that the summer season is only a memory, it is the time of year when half the rowing club decide to become runners.....

The Bristol Half is almost upon us, and there should, as normal be a number of CBRC members running. A couple of names I have heard is Marcus Mumford, and more interestingly Chris Sparrow, who for the day will be turning into a guide dog.....

He will be collecting money for Guide Dogs For the Blind, and you can sponsor him on his justgiving site (including the picture of his costume, and why he is doing it). His aim is to do it in under 2h45.

And the winner is....

The end of the regatta season has reached us yet again, marked as usual by the GBR weekend.

In most unusually sunny and wind free conditions the docks looked almost rowable this year - although the size of the buoys were a topic of hot debate - they were more man size that buoy size - with the outcome of a lot of coxless (end even some coxed) events being determined by who didn't hit one of the course markers.

The most important races of the day was the inaugural CBRC corporate rowing event where local companies were pitted against each other. The winning crew of the day went to Rach, and the Edward Drummond crew. Which saw Rach pocket the winnings from pot! The wooden spoon race was grudge match between the ParsonsBrinkhoff crews. I think that all involved enjoyed the day, and there were certainly many mumblings about joining up for real!

Other races of note was the S2 8+ with the CBRC crew showing the CBRC 'elvis' crew that age, experience and cycling training is not enough!

All the other results are on the CBRC site.....

In need of some help

We are still looking for volunteers for the Regatta this Sunday.

Any club members racing at the regatta will be expected to help out when not racing, but to be sure that you get a job you want to do, then volunteer NOW!

The weather is looking as if it will be kind to us, so if you are not racing, but have some spare time then come and sit outside in the sun and hold some boats on the stake boats, or flip some burgers on the BBQ!

Please let Nick Baker know if you are going to be around - or what you would like to do to help out.

A smooth running regatta will encourage more people to turn up next time, and the more people that turn up the more money we get to buy some new equipment!

OH - and you also get to watch the corporate rowers race after only a few weeks learning, so that should be quite comical!

what really did happen in Oxford?

It was a moderately successful weekend for CBRC at this years Oxford Regatta, although we failed to repeat the success of last year in the Mixed Medley by loosing out in the first round of the Mixed 8 on Sunday morning pushing us down from top to fourth....

The rowing success's went to the WS4+, in their first regatta since winning their novice pot at Llandaff, and the S34+ finally winning a pot that they deserved, and making sure that the heaviest cox in history came home with a pot! On Sunday it was the turn of the 8's to win with both the men's S3 and women's S2 8's winning.

Gildas won the value for money prize with a grand total of nine races over the weekend and a pot.

Special mention should also go to the youngsters in the N2x, who made a better job on the steering to beat Colin and Evan.... I think Colin was still drunk going by the line he took down the course!

But it was the off the river antics that was really the source of newsworthy gossip, with Billy and Jack attracting the attention of some of the women's squad (or was it the other way round?!?) Apparently there was much tent swapping going on in the dark of the camp site, but all members were keeping very quiet on the evening activities!

Corporate Betting

It appears that things have moved on since the last post, and some actual money has been put down.

The format is £10 per cox into a winner takes all pot.

The word on the street, sorry docks, is that Nicole's crew is odds on favourite for the win.... But all will become clear when we see them in action on Sunday at Bristol and Avon Regatta

Fears over drowning subside

Bet Lush is open once again....

We have 8 crews corporate crews racing at Bristol Avon Regatta in hope of winning some shiny pots, although the main aim for most crews will be avoiding the wooden spoon prize . Scenes of spidery crews drifting up and down the river are no more as each crew has come on in leaps and bounds in just 2 weeks.

Andy Porter has put forward two crews from his company, ParsonsBrinkhoff who are reported to be doing very well although doubts over one crew have been whispered as they've recruited 4 learn to row hopefuls (no experienced rowers allowed). This could go either way and after one outing, feedback is positive about their form as they managed to row all 8 together on their maiden voyage. Ruthy and Emily are currently holding the reigns and it will be the ex-women's squad coxswain, Katy, who takes Emily's place on the day. Could the club's best female coaching talents turn things around?

Nicky B/Emily/Katy joint effort- 3:1
Ruthy's L2R/Porter composite - 4:1

BAE, coxed by the our resident international coxswain Diego, have been moving together well. Could be a winner and have been consistent throughout.

Bet Lush odds - 5:3

Entec are also moving well but are disadvantaged by their coxswain, Jane - can she steer a straight line? If her sculling is anything to go by, doubts are well founded.

Bet Lush odds - 3:1

Gildas's employer, Nallatech have had a shaky start with holiday staking president over rowing. Still, they're a strong crew, possibly weighing in as the heaviest including their coxswain, and brute strength may prevail over technique in this instance.

Bet Lush Odds - 4:1

Unity, put forward by Stuart, have also had availability issues but are remarkably neat and tidy. The exact counter-argument to Nallatech's approach, could technique be the overall winner?

Bet Lush odds - 4:1

Edward Drummond are another crew benefiting from dedication and consistency. The keenest of the lot perhaps, inspired by the lovely Rach, and with an unparallelled competitive edge, they are hotly tipped.

Bet Lush odds - 5:1

Last but by no means least are an EC Harris, Bristol Airport composite who were introduced by ex-club member Nicky Heappy. They have had some early substitutions rocking the not-yet-stable boat. Just like their employer, this has caused problems in take-off but they have the potential and could put in a strong finish with Nicole's expert tuition.

Bet Lush Odds 3:1

Odds are changing rapidly, so keep up to date on their odds as the weeks progress...

Car problems?