Queensferry Rowing Club

The latest addition: a hand-stitched tapestry cushion. It won’t be in the shed until the draw on the 15th to save it from getting damp.

Tickets just £1 each. See organisers Marianne, Bex, Lorna and Maria for details.

To remind you how important it is to take a few tickets, here is last year’s cake, and the array of prizes also on offer (this year’s donations are building up well):

And finally, the Nifty Knotters have been busy creating wonderful Christmas pudding and holly-decked decorations/keyrings. Available in the shed, price £10 for three. Perfect as stocking-fillers or for hanging on your tree.

As promised, Mike McD and John H held a competent crew class in the shed on Saturday, well attended, and much enjoyed and appreciated.

As mentioned by Rachel in her weekly tides email and as advertised earlier by Anne P, this coming Saturday sees a coaching session delivered to Queensferry rowers by  Gabriel Murphy, the coach at Broughty Ferry Rowing Club.

Anne P writes: Gabriel has offered to spend the day with us from 9.30am, weather permitting. Tides are good.

He will coach us through the basics of rowing technique focusing on each element of the stroke and positioning to racing and coxing skills, techniques and tactics. This is a great opportunity for all, to help us to support and develop everyone, from our novice rowers to our experienced coxes and those who wish to develop their skills further.

We may only have one boat available but Gabriel has a wealth of rowing experience to offer, both on and off the water, having rowed for many years and represented his country on more than one occasion.

I would particularly encourage coxes to attend if they are able as it will be important, moving forward, that we do this with a consistent approach. Please come and join us if you can; it’ll be a great way to blow off any club after party headaches.

I appreciate that this is normally social rowing time, but it’s a great opportunity to have a club development day which will benefit all of us, regardless of which level we are at.

The format of the day has yet to be clarified and will depend on numbers and experience. If you know that you will definitely be able to attend could you let me know at apurcellb[at]hotmail.com. so that I can begin to get a sense of numbers. If you’re not sure yet, that’s OK. Just come along anyway.

Also featuring at the weekend: Ferry Maid’s birthday!