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…