Men's HoRR: The draw for the Men's Eights Head on the Tideway is now available on the HoRR website.
Aberdeen Eights Head: Results for Saturday's head race are on the Committee of the Dee website.
Lost property: If any coaches have recently lost any equipment at Strathclyde Park, could they please contact the NRA with a description of the item so that it may be returned to them.
26 February
Meeting for clubs in Aberdeen: The Aberdeen meeting for clubs to input targets and objectives on the forward plan has changed to 5pm (from 7pm) on the 27th February. If anyone would like copies of the working documents they should email Iain Somerside.
Transport to the Mens HoRR wanted: Heriot-Watt University BC are looking for transport for one eight down to the Mens Head. If you can help, please email Graeme Cunningham or telephone him on 07739 815202. HWUBC are also looking to borrow a copy of the "Coxing A Tideway Head" video, if anyone has one spare.
Instructors Award coaching course: The application form for the course is now available. The closing date for applications is 6th March 2005. If you require further information please contact Jo Ramsay at the National Rowing Academy.
Aberdeen University Boat Race Ball: Aberdeen University BC are holding a Boat Race Ball on Saturday, March 12th (the evening after the AUBC/RGU annual boat race) at the Copthorne Hotel. Tickets are £25, and the ball is black tie and includes a ceilidh band and DJ. For those visiting from outside Aberdeen, a discounted room rate has been arranged at the hotel of £50 (single)/£65 (double/twin).
Tickets can be reserved by emailing Colin Williamson or calling him on 07869 376221.
24 February
Glasgow RC Small Boat Head: The information for this event (12th March) is now available on the Glasgow Rowing Club website.
23 February
SPR and Scottish Championships catering: Alastair Neill would like to remind any club wishing to run either the Catering and/or the Bar facilities at SPR or Scot Champs to apply in writing before 6th March. Further information in the request for tenders document.
Queens University Regatta: Queens University Belfast have sent information for their regatta in April.
GB Junior Trials: Results from both days of trials last weekend are now available. Some good results from the Scottish contingent, with Stephanie McDowell and Polly Swann of George Heriots coming 2nd of 3 on Saturday and 3rd of 14 pairs on Sunday. In the womens single sculls, Laura West of Nithsdale ARC finished 11th on Saturday and 2nd on Sunday with Caroline McPherson of George Watsons College 12th in the same race. In the mens singles, Daniel Prescott of Glasgow RC finished 8th on Saturday and 2nd on Sunday. Stephanie, Polly, Laura and Daniel are part of the Scottish Junior Elite Squad.
22 February
Aberdeen Eights Head: The draw for the Aberdeen Eights Head is now available on the Committee of the Dee website. Ron Wallace reports that the entry of 27 eights over the two divisions represents the largest entry yet at this event.
Correction to the Scotland selection policy: The published dates for the senior team training camps in March/April are the wrong way round. The date for the womens training camp should be 26/27 March and for the mens training camp, 2/3 April. Please email Gary Bain if you have any queries.
21 February
Coaching course information: The next Instructors Award wil be held at the National Rowing Academy at Strathclyde Park on four consecutive Sundays, provisionally starting the 20th March. There are only 12 places available and these will be alocated on a first come first served basis.
The cost will be £150 and this includes all training material. The closing date for applications is 6th March 2005. If you require further information please contact Jo Ramsay at the National Rowing Academy.
Tyne and Trent Heads: While the rest of us were battling the cold in Inverness, Edinburgh and Glasgow Universities were racking up the wins down south. Glasgow University men won both the S3 and Novice eights events at the Tyne Head, and went on to win the Mens S3 eight at the Head of the Trent the following day. Edinburgh University won an impressive four events on the Trent - Mens S4 8 and Womens S2, S4 and Novice fours.
Monster Canoe Race: Duncan and Abi Thomson have emailed SARA to tell us about their plans to compete in a monster 1000km canoe race to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the establishment of the Province of Saskatchewan this summer. The event takes place between 20th June and 4th July along the beautiful and historic Churchill and Sturgeon-Weir Rivers with each team racing in a 25-foot "voyageur open-canoe".
A Canadian television production company will be filming the event and are keen to feature the Scottish team which the Thomsons are leading. This is a great opportunity not only to see some of Canada’s great wilderness, take part in a once in a lifetime event and to paddle one of Canada’s most famed canoeing routes but also to represent Scotland.
If anyone is interested in joining Duncan and Abi, futher information is available on their website, www.canadabyland.org/sccq/, and they would be delighted to hear from you.
20 February
Inverness Head Results: The results from Saturday's race in Inverness are now online. Fastest mens crew were the IRC/SABC Mens R2 8, fastest womens crew were the CARC/SABC Womens R1 8
Katherine Grainger: Superstar: In the BBCs Superstars womens competition, Scotland's own rowing superstar, Katherine Grainger, came through strongly in the later stages to finish in second place overall. Congratulations Katherine!
Photo above: IRC/SABC Mens R2 8 at the start of the race
18 February
Strathclyde University 4 tour America: The SUBC first four (winners at Inverness and Glasgow Fours Head) are going to the USA to race in two regattas this spring. To help them raise funds they are holding a raffle - top prize is a round of golf for 4 at any of the courses at Gleneagles. Tickets can be bought direct from the four or by contacting them via their new website (where they are also happy to hear from potential sponsors).
17 February
Womens Eights Head: The draw for the Womens Eights Head (5th March) is now available at the WEHoRR website. First off is Aberdeen University at number 55, followed by crews from Glasgow, Heriot Watt, Robert Gordon, St Andrews and Strathclyde Universities, Clydesdale ARC and St Andrew BC.
15 February
Aberdeen Eights Head: Entries for the Aberdeen Eights Head close on Monday 21st February - see the Committee of the Dee website for further information.
Holiday Autos car hire: Anyone needing to book a hire car and support SARA at the same time should consider visiting Holiday Autos - SARA will get a commission from each transaction.
Inverness Head: All competitors should read the essential information from Inverness Rowing Club.
14 February
SARA Half Yearly Meeting: The SARA Half Yearly Meeting will be held in the NRA at 1pm on Sunday 13th March. Following official business, there will be an open forum on the Four Year Plan and everyone (not just the official club representatives) is invited to help develop all areas of the plan at this meeting. Any resolutions for the Half Yearly Meeting should be submitted to Alison Harrison by email by the end of Wednesday 16th February.
Contact details: Could all clubs please check that their contact details on this website are correct. Any changes should be sent to Alison Harrison and copied to Jo Wherrett as soon as possible.
Scottish Schools' Head: The new date for the Scottish Schools' HOR has been approved as Saturday 19th March (instead of Saturday 5th March).
14 February
Strathclyde Park to host World U23 Championships: At the Extraordinary Congress of FISA, held in Dubrovnik earlier this month, a number of decisions were taken that impact directly on Scottish Rowing.
As part of SARA's (And the ARA's) ongoing major events strategy, Strathclyde Park has previously been pencilled in as the potential venue for the World under-23 Regatta in 2007. Not only was that verified at this Congress, it was also agreed that the under-23 event be designated as an official "World Championships" from now on. As well as adding more prestige for Strathclyde Park, this designation also opens up potential new funding opportunities, which are currently being explored.
During the Congress, the annual meeting of the Commonwealth Rowing Association was held at which the nations present pledged their support to the 2006 Commonwealth Rowing Championships at Strathclyde Park.
This will be held in the weeks leading up to the 2006 World Championships at Dorney, echoing the arrangements in 1986 when the Commonwealth Games were staged in Scotland, with rowing at Strathclyde Park, followed by the World Championships in Nottingham. This was the last occasion when rowing was included in the Games themselves and since then there have been three stand-alone Commonwealth Championships. With Glasgow set to make a bid to host the 2014 Commonwealth Games, Scottish Rowing's submission for inclusion then is already in the hands of the Commowealth Games Council for Scotland.
SARA President Mary Massaro was also elected President of the Commonwealth Rowing Association.
Boat hire for Inverness Head: Could all clubs wishing to hire boats from the SARA fleet please copy their requests to Mary Massaro, as Iain Somerside is on holiday this week.
13 February
Tenon Ltd. Inverness 8s and Small Boats Head: The provisional draw for next weekend's race in Inverness is available on the Inverness Rowing Club website.
Win a single scull: Tideway Scullers are holding a raffle to fundraise for their new boathouse - 1st prize Filippi single scull, 2nd prize Rowperfect, 3rd prize Speedcoach Gold. More information on the Tideway Scullers website.
12 February
Junior Selection Policy: The junior selection policy for 2005 is now available. Scottish club coaches are asked to submit details of junior athletes wishing to be considered for selection in 2005 to Jim Ferguson (preferably by the end of February).
Head Racing: The Clydesdale HoRR was sadly cancelled today due to the amount of water coming down the Clyde.
GB Trials: Not a good day for racing, as the GB trials in Boston were also cancelled today due to high winds.
NRA Administrator: Welcome to Jo Ramsay, the new administrator at the National Rowing Academy. Any correspondence, invoices etc. should now be sent to Jo who will pass it on to the relevant person.
10 February
SARA Boat Fleet: A plea to all users of the SARA boats - it has been noted that some boat parts are disappearing from the boat bays at Strathclyde Park. Could all clubs please ensure that items are not 'borrowed' and that any missing or broken parts are reported in the damages book (currently kept on the table between the two bays). Clubs are also reminded that all boats should be washed after every outing - buckets and sponges are now available.
Trailer space wanted: Heriot-Watt University are looking for space on a trailer heading down to Women's Tideway. Contact Graeme Cunningham if you can help (tel. 07739815202)
Motion analysis trials (see 7 February): Graeme Dreghorn would like to amend his previous message about ergo trials - any men or women who are rowing at national standard would be very welcome to take part in his trial - no age restriction!
Inverness Training Camp: Thanks to Niall Darroch for this picture of the rowers, coxes and coaches from clubs all over Scotland who attended the SARA training camp last weekend. Thanks also to Inverness Rowing Club for hosting the event and letting their boathouse be taken over for the weekend. If anyone has any comments or suggestions for future camps, please email Gary Bain.
9 February
Clyde HoRR Final Draw: The final draw has now been posted.
8 February
Traditional clinker boats wanted: Fossa Rowing Club (Co. Kerry, Ireland) are looking for a traditional wooden clinker built 40ft fixed seat boat. If anyone knows of anyone who is still building them or who might have one for sale, Michelle Cooper Galvin would be delighted to hear from you.
Motion analysis trials: Graeme Dreghorn (Strathclyde Uni BC) would like to hear from anyone aged between 18 and 30 who is rowing at National level (eg those who attended the recent SARA training camp, or anyone with a good ergo time who has medalled, or is looking to medal, at Scot Champs/Nat Champs).
The motion analysis trials will take place on 17th February at Strathclyde University, and will take about an hour. Participants will get an excellent in depth anaylsis of their rowing technique, using the newest equipment and software. If you are interested, please contact Graeme.
CSRC Ceilidh: The Castle Semple Rowing Club 'Ceilidh' takes place on Saturday 5th March 2005 from 8pm to midnight in the McKillop Hall, Lochwinnoch. The 'Clamjamfrie Ceilidh Band' will be providing the music and there will be a licensed bar. Tickets can be purchased from Dougie Fowles (telephone 01505 359505 or 07970 947991 or email fowlesfamily@ntlworld.com). Tickets cost £6 (£4 for juniors who must be accompanied by an adult).
Trailer for sale: Aberdeen Boat Club have a De Graff 12 space trailer for sale - more details on the Sales and Wants page.
6 February
Inverness 8s and Small Boats Head: Please note that the previously noted closing date for this event was incorrect - it should be 6pm Thursday 10th February. See the race information for further details - word or pdf version.
SPR and Scottish Championships catering: Any Club wishing to run either the Catering and/or the Bar facilities at the above regattas should apply in writing to Alastair Neill before 6th March. Further information in the request for tenders document.
3 February
Inverness Eights and Small Boats Head: Closing date for entries is 6pm on Wednesday 9th Feb, event details now available.
Single scull for sale: See the Sales and Wants page for details.
2 February
Coach wanted: Heriot-Watt University are advertising for a coach. See the Sales and Wants page for further information.
SUBC Small Boats Results: For those that have been having problems viewing the PDF file, the results are now also available in excel format.
News from the Western Head - it appears that SUBC have found a new way to get round sewage works bend... just leave the bow-man out. After a technical hitch with the bow seat, the Strathcylde University mens novice eight rowed with 7 oarsman on Saturday, but despite their disadvantage still managed to come home first in their category!
Reminders:
If you have anything for Rowing Action, please send it to Ailie Ord as soon as possible
Entries for the Clydesdale Head close at 4pm on Saturday, so don't forget to get them in on time.
If you want to enter the Tideway Races (or any other events), Sandy Walker reminds everyone that they need to apply for a racing licence in good time.
The Regatta Organising Committee are holding a meeting on Thursday evening at Strathclyde Park - if you'd like to volunteer to help, please get in touch.
1 February
SARA Four Year Plan: At the AGM the clubs agreed the outline of the new four year plan and the Association undertook to hold further meetings to allow clubs to contribute further to the evolvement of the plan.
In particular we require clubs to highlight areas on which they wish the new committee structures to concentrate and in addition to look at key targets and performance measures that should be considered.
To this end open meetings will be held on the following dates:
27th February 2005 – Aberdeen Boat Club - 7.00pm.
To discuss any additional recommendations and key targets
13th March 2005 – National Rowing Academy - 11.00am
To feedback on recommendations and key targets.
Clubs are invited to send representatives to both meetings or to email Iain Somerside with any points that they wish to be raised. Please review the attached summary document before responding or attending the meetings.
The final plan needs to be with Sportscotland by the 5th April 2005.
Some more results from last weekend: The results from the Strathclyde University Small Boats Head are now available: Division 1 and Division 2.
31 January
Head Race Information: Details are now available for the Clydesdale "Clyde Head of the Rive Race" for fours and eights (frontpage, event invitation and entry forms) and for the Aberdeen Eights Head run by the Committee of the Dee.
And some results from last weekend: Results for GUBC's Western Eights Head held on Saturday. Fastest mens crew of the day was the GUBC eight and fastest women of the day were the CARC/SABC composite (unless you count stern pair of the Watsons' octuple scull, which came an impressive 4th in their division).
Rowing Action: If anyone has any articles for submission to the next edition of Rowing Action, could they please email Ailie Ord as soon as possible to let her know what they are intending to send - deadline for sending articles is the end of this week.
Regatta Organising Committee: The ROC would like to welcome any volunteers who are interested in helping with the organisation of Strathclyde Park Regatta to their next meeting, this Thursday at 7pm (3rd February), 7pm at Strathclyde Park. If anyone from any Scottish club has any ideas they would like to put forward for discussion, please get in touch with Ailie Ord before Thursday.
Racing Licences: Sandy Walker has sent the following note:
While applications for new licences have been coming in reasonably well this year, all applicants are reminded that forms must be submitted via their Club licence contact, be fully completed with d.o.b. and status and be accompanied by the correct fee. It should also be noted that it is not acceptable to enter events and having done so then submit an application. A two week turn round time is required to process a licence and with the entry date for Tideway events on the near horizon with other events following on, this should be borne in mind. Fast tracking of applications will not be possible and failure to obtain documentation in time may mean entries will be rejected.
30 January
New SARA Webmaster: After many years of excellent service, Terry McNeill has passed on the gauntlet of running the SARA website. I hope that I can live up to his standards and keep the information flowing to Scottish rowers.
If anyone has any news items, information about races, items wanted or for sale, changes in details, or anything else you think is newsworthy, please email me, Jo Wherrett.
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