Entries are now open for the Junior Scullers Head on Saturday 10th March.
Visit our Junior Scullers Head page for more information and entry documents.
Please note the change of date from that published in Regatta and by British Rowing.
What a beautiful morning! As always, it’s difficult to get up when it’s still dark, but so rewarding to see the river with a heavy mist, trees and grass white with frost and the sun rising.
Congratulations to the following Champs members for their well deserved awards presented on Friday 11th November 2011:
Most Improved Male Rower: Mike Chudleigh
Most Improved Male Sculler(s): Giles Hutchinson and Richard Watraslewicz
Most Improved Junior Boy: Owen Munby
Most Improved Female Rower: Katie Hall
Most Improved Female Sculler: Cecile Jacklin
Most Improved Junior Girl: Daisy Hutchinson
The Millennium Cup was presented to Denis Howlett for outstanding service to the club recognising his fantastic work behind the scenes to keep the club membership and finances running smoothly and also making this website look so good.
Helen Christy received the Tom Green Cup in recognition of the effort she has put into organising junior rowing at Champs for the last 10 years.
November is now Movember for us all at Champs… Movember is responsible for the sprouting of moustaches on thousands of men’s faces to raise awareness and funds to fight prostate cancer and other cancers that affect men. And as you know all too well, we have seen the effects of prostate cancer at first hand. So in memory of our dear friend John – who would have been more than up for this – let’s do a little less shaving and start a little bit of fundraising!
From today you can register at mobro.co/Championofthethames. Do it with a clean-shaven face and then for the rest of the month, we selfless and generous “Champs Mo Bros”, will groom, trim and wax our way into the annals of fine moustachery. Supported by the “Champs Mo Sistas”, we raise some funds for our Mo-growing efforts and have some fun.
Hi guys
The newly refurbished Jano Laurie is back after a complete face lift.
She is like new and the Sunshine crew lovingly put her back together this morning.
Please take good care of her and keep her pristine. Only IM2/3 crews will be allowed to use her from now on. No novice coxes to take her out please.
Thank you
Ruth
On Sunday 25th September, a Champs junior coxless quad, Daisy Hutchison, Nell Dix, Sophie Goldberg and Jessica Stewart did a sponsored 50km row from Cambridge to Ely and back.
After setting off in the sunshine and successfully negotiating the two locks, the sight of Ely Cathedral in the far distance was welcome, unlike however, the strong headwind that had set in for the long 25km back to Cambridge. But after more than 5 hours of rowing, they finally made it back to the boathouse with the blisters, stiff legs and sore bottoms to prove it.
Thank you very much to everyone for the generous sponsorship and support; over £1000 has now been raised in total for the community work we’ll be doing in The Gambia and definitely kept us going when it felt like we couldn’t possibly manage another stroke!
For more information, please visit the Stephen Perse Gambia Project.
Champs were invited by the Royal Sport Nautique de Bruxelles to the Brussels International Rowing Regatta 24th and 25th September and bought home a Silver from the Ladies Masters Single Sculling event. Continue reading
Champs enjoyed an excellent Bank Holiday weekend at the Ross Regatta, entering thirteen events over the two days with Sam Masterson winning the Ladies Masters Novice (single) and, partnered by Nell Dix, reaching the semis of Ladies IM3 Double (single).
But it was the adventures of the Misfits Mixed 8+ that took centre-stage. Several crew changes meant that it was unrecognisable from its usual line-up and the effect of our shiny fresh faces on the opposition was startling. Monmouth RC were so intimidated that they declined to navigate the corner, preferring instead to ram us and be disqualified, while Chester RC used their five-second head-start to barrel straight into the shallows where they promptly snapped a blade and held their hands up in surrender. With two shiny pewter pots in the bag, the drive home was less a return journey than a getaway.
Special thanks to Sam for the organisation and to Neil and Gez as first-time trailer towers. Post-race commiserations with Chester led to an invite to visit next May and we’ll definitely be back to defend our, ahem, titles next year.
Dear All,
Just a couple of safety issues:
The summer light is fading and with it goes the freedom for less experienced coxes, crews and scullers to head out in the early evenings without a bank party or lights.
Can all crews who intend to venture out in the evenings please ensure they have a bank party, working lights on their boats, an experienced cox who knows the navigation rules of the river and a mobile phone that is in a waterproof case.
We’ve had some blustery weather of late and as the autumn season edges towards winter the conditions will deteriorate. We’ll endeavour to keep the flag status current, however that is not a replacement for common sense. If the wind is very high, if there is lightning across the sky or a chance of flooding then: DON’T GO OUT!
A little prevention goes a long way. Please dress appropriately for the cooler weather. Bring layers with you and on a wet day, waterproof splashtops or something similar. Hypothermia can come on quickly if you are wet and tired after a hard outing and then fall in the river. Here’s a link to some NHS advice.
Please endeavour to keep your water bottles out of the bottom of the boat, get a water bottle with a lid or put them inside a plastic bag to avoid mixing river water with your drinking water. Please also wash your hands after you come off the river, have a shower as soon as possible and launder your rowing kit. Here’s a revolting link to the HSE’s advice on Weil’s disease.
Many apologies for sounding like your mother.
Bests,
Your safety officer,
Paul Casciato
Three Champs 8′s finished the 21.6km Gt Ouse Marathon on 4th September 2011 with a respectable showing in a field of mixed boats.
The threatened gales and hail thankfully didn’t appear on the morning of the event and some pleasant paddling conditions with little stream and a light head-wind were enjoyed by all.
Rowan Burnstein (WMst C) recorded 1:57:21 placing them as first ladies 8+ just over a minute ahead of a ladies Mst D from Star Club. The chat was Cox Denis had some urgent business to attend to warranting a long push over the last 5km, no doubt helping achieve this position.
Nick Gays (N) boat achieved 5th overall in 1:42:58, while the Campbell (IM3) crew managed a solid 2nd place overall in 1:35:44, behind the winners Sudbury (Chambers) IM1 1:30:08 and ahead of Xpress (Legends) 1:37:03.
So good results for Champs laying foundations for the coming season of head races.
Champs thank you from all to Nick Gay for trailering and everyone for help and support on the day.
