Author: Barbara Agnew

Development day follow-up

Anne P writes: Following on from the development day held in December with Gabriel Murphy from Broughty Ferry, I have emailed QRC members, on behalf of the race training sub group, a summary of the elements discussed and demonstrated. Click here to download the document.

This covers basic rowing technique to race structure, strategy and some suggestions for training exercises. The document is relevant to all rowers, whether racers or not, as it covers the basic elements of rowing technique as well as breaking down race structure. The aim of this is to help us to develop consistency as a club whether we are social rowing, racing or coxing and supporting new members.

To aid with this, a follow up to the development day has been arranged in the form of a feedback/review session. As well as giving the opportunity to comment on the attached protocol, we will also be able to view and analyse the video footage taken by Gabe and give some initial feedback on the age category training groups. Tansy has also analysed the club survey and will present this to members at this meeting.

The feedback/review session will take place at 7pm on 31st January at  Port Edgar Yacht Club.

Gabriel – coxing, right – during the development day

We had a fantastic turnout for Gabriel’s visit to the club and it would be great to see as many of us there as possible on the evening so that we can continue to move this forward. Gabriel plans to re-visit in March to focus on the coxing aspect of training and racing so we will have that opportunity to update him on how things are going so far.

If you are able to come along on 31st January, please help to give an indication of numbers by emailing me directly at apurcellb@hotmail.com.

Newhaven Midsummer Challenge

Rachel writes: Several members have asked me about the Newhaven event. Here is the full information from Anna Cox of the  Newhaven Coastal Rowing Club.

Newhaven Midsummer Challenge, Saturday 15th June (NB corrected date!)

Essentially it is a race with yachts (provided), skiffs with cox and rowers, and runners.  This takes place between the harbours of Newhaven and Granton in Waldie Bay. The crew is six — cox and rowers, plus the runner.

The Maid in the 2016 challenge

There are two races with a break and food in between. The rowing race is 2km and is for a mixed crew. This can be done with one crew or two.

The runner is ‘the baton’ and sets off in the appointed yacht. Yachts race from Newhaven Harbour out into Wardie Bay to Granton Harbour. The runners depart the yachts and run the one mile distance back to Newhaven and jump in their club skiff, which has the crew waiting for them. The skiffs race the 2km out into the bay and back to the finish point in Newhaven Harbour.

This event has an informal emphasis on fun, while still being competitive .
It is suitable for experienced and novice rowers. Spaces are limited and Newhaven are keen for Queensferry to take part. This is LOCAL and there aren’t many local events on the SCRA calendar .

At present we have three ladies’ names on the sign-up sheet. Can we give this one some consideration? We have not been able to attend the last two years as it clashed with other things.

Runners — we know who you are!!

To speed things up to register, I am happy to take names – email me at
rachelholburn@gmail.com and I will add you to the sign-up sheet.

More photos from 2016 on Flickr.

PS. Bacon rolls to start, soup and cake in between, burgers to finish! Newhaven do a ‘good spread’.

The tides for next week – 21st to 27th January

Rachel writes: I am advising of these next week’s tides a bit earlier, to assist anyone planning rows for next week. We have a lot of low tides, all in the morning, taking us towards the end of the month.

Monday 21st January
Low: 08.28 —1.0 m
High: 14.49 — 5.9 m
Low: 21.05 —0.6 m L

Tuesday 22nd
Low: 09.18 —0.9 m
High: 15.38 — 6.1 m
Low: 21.56 — 0.4 m

Wednesday 23rd
Low: 10.02 —0.8 m
High: 16.28 — 6.1 m
Low: 22.41 —0.4 m

Thursday 24th 
Low: 10.43 — 0.9 m
High: 17.18 — 6.1 m
Low: 23.22 — 0.4 m

Friday 25th 
Low: 11.18 — 1.1 m
High: 18.08 — 5.9 m
Low: 23.56 — 0.7 m

Saturday 26th   Cox Course on all day.
High: 06.34 — 5.7 m
Low: 11.52 — 1.3 m
High: 18.58 — 5.7 m Pontoon will be asked for.

Sunday 27th 
High: 07.25 — 5.4 m
Low: 12.34 — 1.6 m
High: 19.51 — 5.4 m

Have a good weekend and week ahead.

Tides for the week ahead

Rachel reports: What a breezy weekend we have had, after some glorious calm days midweek. This week’s weather is a bit mixed, as the temperature starts to drop.

But the tides are good for us, so lots of rowing availability.

Monday 14th January
High: 08.11 — 4.8 m
Low: 12.40 — 2.2 m
High: 20.23 — 4.8 m

Tuesday 15th
High: 09.05 — 4.7 m
Low: 13.45 — 2.3 m
High: 21.21 — 4.7 m

Wednesday 16th
High: 10.06 — 4.7 m
Low: 16.30 — 2.2 m

Thursday 17th
High: 11.10 — 4.9 m
Low: 17.24 — 1.9 m

Friday 18th
Low: 05.52 — 1.7 m
High: 12.11 — 5.1 m
Low: 18.15 — 1.6 m

Saturday 19th
Low: 06.41 — 1.4 m
High: 13.07 — 5.4 m
Low: 19.09 — 1.3 m

Sunday 20th
Low: 07.33 — 1.2 m
High: 13.59 — 5.7 m
Low: 20. 09 — 0.9 m

Colder weather on its way, you say? Here’s a photo from 21 January last year, to show just how lucky we’ve been with the weather lately!!
The training crew managed to get back in just before it snowed, but social rowing was cancelled.

Passage planning meeting

Anne Flannery writes: This is a follow-on to the email that was sent out for anyone interested in attending an evening session on passage planning.

We have booked the PEYC for Thursday 17 January for an evening of discussion around passage planning. This is based on the experience that we – Anne P, Liz Barbara and myself – have gained over our last couple of big rows and does not pretend to be a substitute for any courses run by RYC, Port Edgar or any other recognised certificated body.

We aim to start at about 7.30pm and will be finished by 9pm. Please let me know if you would like to attend (to organise tea/coffee etc ).

We would be happy for any experienced passage planners to attend to lend us their experience.

Replies please to anneflannery3000@gmail.com

The Maid on Loch Ness