The Skiff Club

Check out Jock Wishart & his team's 'Rowing the Arctic' documentary on the BBC iPlayer

Skiffing on Ice! - Roger Haines forces a couple of novices out even when the river is frozen over!

Saturday 22nd October 2011 - Four skiffs and the slipper launch Verity, carrying Gordon Dear on his last boat trip, set off from the present president's residence near Shepperton Marina, and were quickly joined by several crews from Thames Valley. As we processed downstream we were joined by more and more skiffs and attendant craft. By the time we reached journey's end at The Skiff Club a total of 18 skiffs, two slipper launches and two narrow boats attended the scattering of Gordon's ashes in the Thames opposite the club, and it was entirely appropriate that all skiff clubs were represented. It was a glorious sunny day and Gordon made his last boat trip in style, where he was scattered on the Thames opposite The Skiff Club. Afterwards all crews retired to the clubhouse where we drank to his memory and ate a splendid buffet.

The funeral service for Gordon Dear will be held at Mortlake Crematorium on Friday 25th February at 3pm and afterwards at Thames Rowing Club, Embankment, SW15 1LB.

Instead of giving flowers we hope that donations will be made to appropriate charities or organisations of your choice.

Congratulations to the 10 "parkrun"ners from The Skiff Club who braved the elements this morning for the "Not the Oarsman's Cross Country"! - Keep it up - we may do it again!

.... And the results are of The Skiff Club at Parkrun on 29th Jan 2011..................

Nothing is going to stop this year's hardy Novices who turned up despite the impending blizzard that started almost as soon as we cleared the backwater. Novices, Russell, Ana, Laura & Jack were undeterred by the conditions & eager to continue their training regime. So after I managed to thaw out the boat shed lock, ease the frozen doors open, clear the snow from the landing area, we were all set to go out.

Coxed by Captain Tom Millest & myself, suitable wrapped up for the conditions, we carefully boated from an area that was free of ice, just as the blizzard started. With smiles all round we gladly pushed off into the strengthening snow shower to make our way towards the lock. Not having forgotten all that they'd been taught so far our novices confidently set off at a pace. Temporarily loosing sight of the other boat, I put Laura & Jack through their paces & in no time at all the new pairing settled into a lovely rhythm. Time for a few photos then to capture the moment & in the distance I saw the other boat on the return leg so managed to get a couple of shots of them as well.

Now my pair of novices have only been down a few weeks, for Laura only her third week, & already I think I've found my first potential racing mixed pair for next season. So much so I had them doing racing pyramid training & they were soon moving the boat at a lovely rate. Only problem is we'd changed directions & now the blizzard was full in my face, making seeing out of my glasses somewhat of a problem. It's either wipers or contact lenses next time.

Well we all returned safely, pulled the boats out & into the boat shed & were left with that tingly feeling after being out in the cold with a warm glow inside knowing that we'd made the most of the conditions & had great fun in the process. There's snow stopping us now, sorry had to get that one in.

We had a very well-organised and well-attended Santa Skiff on 4th December;
enjoyed by 50 or so of us, with 8 or 9 doubles (memory fades) and a troop of
meandering cyclists ... Thanks again to Bill Taylor for booking the City Arms
who were so welcoming and did us great grub at a good price; and to Roger
Haines (and Amanda) for sorting the boats and crews. A good number of us showed
our colours in the after-dinner singing (with some pleasant surprises and few
regrets..). Very good to have a number of TRC 'guests' with us - but they don't
sing! We were really lucky with a weather 'window', and got home without mishap
thanks to our new supply of boat-lights.

Last night was our Christmas dinner, well-supported again despite the foul
weather. Huge thanks to Nicky and Dilys (with help from Nargis and Toni) for
another year of super and immaculately-timed cooking - the new cooker is OK!
The quantity and ambition of the entertainment was a step up from recent years
(I know I shouldn't write my own reviews) with a 15-minute version of Alan
Bennett's adaptation of "Wind in the Willows" involving a cast of at least 10,
including a washerwoman in basque and fishnets (you can guess who). Next year
we may even learn the lines! Lesley and Stephen Russell got round the issue of
Stephen's singing voice by performing two well-loved Christmas songs .. in
sign-language! It was slick, funny and touching - you had to be there. To round
off the evening, Hamish and Sylvie performed an original and very topical skit
as Prince William and Waitie (no longer) Katie - wicked, and hardly slanderous
at all... Thanks also to all those who did the essential and unglamorous jobs
of setting up and taking down tables and chairs, and staffing the bar.

Training will continue as normal over the holiday period, with gym circuits on
Thursdays at 7.30 (warm-up run at 7) and outings on Saturday and Sunday
mornings. Tony Gordon has also suggested a 2pm training session on the water
next Thursday 23rd for those who are not at work or last-minute shopping - good
idea, and I will try to join you.

DO KEEP SAFETY FIRST - especially now when there are fewer members out to
accompany you and the weather is so cold. I would strongly advise against going
out in a single or coxless double after dark unless you are very experienced.
And check whether there are river condition warnings (Red or Yellow boards) if
the river is flowing strongly - see the sign on boathouse door for how to do
this.

"To assist with kitchen clean-up and washing-up duties, might I ask that we
slightly tweak the regime, so there is less scrubbing and effort involved? We
have purchased some biological powder, which will be in the cupboard and marked
accordingly. Those who are chefs on any given Thursday evening, would you
before leaving the kitchen just shake a little into cooking pots and top up
with hot water so they soak whilst we eat. This, then, means that the
washing-teams won't have to scrub and sweat, and the pots & pans quickly and
more easily come up pristine. A win-win situation".

1. Ravens Ait racing This is our standard training row for winter, the 3.77 miles course used for our Mixed Doubles Marathon (Sunday 8th May 2011 - put it in your diaries!). Roger Haines organised the first competitive timed session on Sunday 31st Oct, with Chris Coveney thoughtfully providing a hot meal afterwards. 5 crews entered, and Roger engineered a subtle handicap system to balance crews who rowed unchanged (winners Mary Booth and Chris Coveney in 43:03) against those who swopped once (winners Tim Harness, Brind Waldron and me in 38:11) - a tube of Smarties to each winner. We can definitely bring that time down - Roger and Amanda did 34:25 in the 2010 race !

2. Site clean-up All the clubs at the Trowlock site take a part in keeping the site clean by periodic 'blitzes'. This autumn Jock has allocated us the area beside, behind and in front of our boat shed (including the small car-park areas). I will be having a go at this (sweeping and litter-picking etc) on Saturday 20th from about 10am till 2pm and would enjoy some company! Bring your favourite broom and a bag...

Please see below the first missive from our new Social Secretary, Christopher Coveney

Having taken on the mantle of Social Secretary for 1 year, may I invite people to put the following in their diaries?

Saturday 24th July 2010 "Soiree" in the garden at 60 Munster Road from 7.30 p.m. to midnight.

The Club racing will be an opportunity for debutantes to come out, paired up with seasoned campaigners for some scratch racing. I anticipate that Tom or Bob will make up the teams and I would be pleased persons wishing to participate could let me know so that I can pass on names to make organisation easier. Also could I have numbers for lunch? Spouses and families will be welcome. Quite what form the fare will take will depend on numbers (so early indications would be appreciated). There will be a charge to cover cost and, I hope, to put something into the boat fund.

The "Soiree" will require a contribution from people also. I will advise on cost later.

Thanks from Roger Haines for the Red Kite Talk fundraiser on Sunday 25th April:

Many thanks to Nicky Painter & Dana Hodshon for organising this evening's talk with a wonderful supper for the: 'Return of the Red Kite' an illustrated talk by Nigel Snell - formerly Project Coordinator S. England Red Kites (and also Nicky's big brother!)

A total £105 was raised from the proceeds of tonight to be donated to Tom's charity 'Help for Heroes'. In addition to this, another sweep stake was held to guess Fran Kenden's time in completing her 13th London Marathon yesterday. Huge congratulations to Fran who finished in a cracking time of 3 hour 59 minutes 16 seconds. I'd have been sitting at home with my feet up if I was her, which only goes to show what a marvellous athlete she is. Dave Evans won the sweep stake & magnanimously chose not to accept his winnings so the £30 will go to Asthma UK.

NOW PLEASE SUPPORT HIM AND TOM BY COMING ALONG TO THESE EVENTS - HAVE ALMOST NO TAKERS SO FAR (EXCEPT ROG AND AMANDA!!) DON'T DELAY.... BOOK TODAY!!!!

As Roger continues gallantly to pull his way across the Atlantic here is a great opportunity to support him and Tom by having a fun and informative evening at the SKIFF CLUB and raising some dosh for their chosen charities.

Two fascinating talks have been arranged accompanied by supper and access to the usual drinks from the bar. Here are the details:

Sunday 25 April: 'Return of the Red Kite' an illustrated talk by Nigel Snell - formerly Project Coordinator S. England Red Kites (and also my big brother!)

Sunday 16 May: 'The Ancient Olympics' an illustrated talk by Rita Jones - who has a long association with the Skiff Club and gave a talk some while ago on the Triremes (ancient Greek fighting ships propelled mainly by oars!)

Arrive at 1830 to get your drinks. The talks will start around 1900 and take about an hour. A light supper will follow. There will be time for questions and discussion.

Tickets for the talk and supper are £10 per person - or a bargain £15 if you are coming to both. All bookable in advance, please!

This is a really good cause so DO come along. The more the merrier and you can be SURE of excellent evenings on both occasions.

BUT HOW ABOUT GETTING TO KNOW THE RIVER FROM A DIFFERENT ANGLE AND CHALLENGING YOURSELF IN A SLIGHTLY DIFFERENT WAY ….

Congratulations to all those who took part in the "Know your Reach" walk - enduring freezing conditions, but a crisp day. Special congratulations to Lilly & Jessica who also raised money for the Haiti appeal. Distances walked ranged from 11 to 51 miles!

From your Soc Sec

Christopher Coveney