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News Archive:

2005
2004
2003
December 2002
November 2002
October 2002
September 2002
August 2002
July 2002
June 2002

30 November

"Oh my God; there's a camera! And ma hair's a' o'er the place!" Thanks to Christine Kerr for catching out the AUBC novice bow-girl. (well, nobody else sent me ANY pix of the event!)

Vesta Scullers Head of the Thames: full provisional results are here. Fastest man representing a Scottish club was Dougie Taylor of Loch Lomond, 191 overall and 11th in M S2 Lwt. Fastest Scottish club woman was Clare Haley of Aberdeen BC, 252 overall and 3rd in W S2

Rutherford Head: there were Scottish crews at this event also. Results here.

29 November

Timings for Glasgow Fours Head: thank you to those who pointed out that the start order for Glasgow Fours Head omitted the race times (doh!). I've added them in now: safety brief at 0930, Race 1 starts at 11.30 am, Race 2 starts at 2.00pm. Good luck all.

28 November

Glasgow Fours Head safety briefing: there will be a safety briefing for all coxes/steerspersons in Glasgow RC Boathouse at 0930 on Saturday morning. Some basics here - but reading the notes is not a substitute for attendance! GRC captain Fergus Walker hopes for a full turnout - but at the very least for a representative from every club who can carry back the essential information to crews where they are rigging.

Why was the Aberdeen Head cancelled? I see the Committee of the Dee have a dramatic MPEG video of the Dee in spate the day before the scheduled Head. You can see why they cancelled early to save the Glasgow visitors a wasted journey!

Scullers Head competitors head south: good luck to those Scots racing in this weekend's Scullers Head on the Thames. The start order is on the Vesta Scullers Head site, which will also have results after the event.

27 November

More medal success for Scottish junior: Lucy Buglass, a member of Aberdeen Schools RA and of the GB women's 4- which finished 4th at the Junior World Championships in August, was awarded the NPFA Medallion at the National Playing Fields Association "Annual Awards for Sport 2002" last night in Edinburgh City Chambers. The awards were presented by the NPFA's Scottish Sports Personality of the Year, 400 metre runner Lee McConnell. Lucy was nominated by the SARA, which is a member association of the NPFA.

Heriot Watt Uni BC have a really slick new web site (and a new treasurer added to the contacts page).

Strathclyde Park RC have a new committee following their AGM: full details on the contacts page.

26 November

Glasgow Fours Head start order: the start order is now up. 119 entries by my quick calculation. Looking at the number of novice and young age-group junior entries, the old advice of 'arrive, rig and boat in good time' would seem pertinent.

Leopard changes spots: Strathclyde University BC (they of the spotty blades) have moved their web site. Seems to be undergoing redesign/reconstruction also.

New secretary for Glasgow RC: Richard Graveling has succeeded Paul Mackie as secretary of GRC.

25 November

Commonwealth Games athletes invited: A message at request of SARA secretary, Paul Mackie. The Thistle Club - an association of former Scotland Commonwealth Games competitors - are trying to trace a number of former Scotland representatives in rowing at the 1958 Games - hopefully in time for a function this Saturday. If you are, or know the whereabouts of, any of these 9 athletes (all male), please contact Kelly Seath of the Commonwealth Games Council of Scotland on 01786 466480

Junior tops Clydesdale Scullers Head: Chris Logan (J18) of George Watson's College (start no 1) turned in the best time at Saturday's Clydesdale Scullers Head, 10 seconds ahead of his nearest competitor, Doug Taylor of Loch Lomond who had the honour of ploughing his way through more traffic than anybody else (start 34, finish 2). Full results here. (Please note these are updated since yesterday: some changes to veteran winners following handicapping)

DUBC 'row past' the other DUBC: Dundee University BC's 24 hour sponsored ergo covered 370 km, enough to place their 'boat' south of Durham University's boathouse. I'm hoping to hear a final fundraising tally shortly.

22 November

18 hours in, and Dundee Uni's rowers have now reached Newcastle, 261,000 metres into their row. They're rotating spells on a single ergo and reckon the 24 hour total should exceed 200 miles.

England invaded! An update on the Dundee University 24 hour row (see below) - they are using Routleplanner software to convert their distance traveled into waypoints on a journey south. At 11.00 this morning they crossed the border into England (185,000 metres from Dundee), with the rower in the 'hot seat' at the moment of border-crossing being Luke Plunkett - appropriately, a native of the disputed border enclave of Berwick Upon Tweed.

12 hours down, 12 to go: the bold heroes of Dundee University BC are half way through their 24 hour sponsored ergo (2200hrs Thursday - 2200 hrs Friday)in aid of Breast Cancer Research Scotland. They're pulling away in the Debating Chamber of the Dundee Uni Sports Union building: if you're local, pop in and support, if not you can e-mail your sponsorship pledge to their captain, Dave Shea.

10 'Vortices' for Sale: latest offer on blades to come up on the Sales & Wants page.

Glasgow Fours Head: don't forget that entries for the Glasgow Fours Head close on Monday at 1.00pm.

Boats/Transport needed for Glasgow Fours Head: St Andrews University have no trailer and need to find either about four boats to borrow in Glasgow or some kind soul willing to swing in by St Andrews to help with transport for SAUBC's boats. Please contact SAUBC president Anna Morton.

20 November

Entries for GB Senior Trials on 14th December: BIRO have published details of registration requirements for the senior trial at Boston on 14 December. There is even an on-line registration option!

St Andrew BC Dinner: St Andrew are having their club dinner dance- now with added attraction of club awards - on 30th November in the Playhouse, Edinburgh. 7.00 for 7.30pm, black tie, £35 a ticket for the whole event, £10 a ticket for after dinner only. Friends from other clubs are welcome - especially the veterans who were so enthusiastic about the event when it was first mooted. Contact Judith Grant of SABC asap for full details and bookings.

Clydesdale Scullers Head start order: I've never seen this before. The Clydesdale Scullers Head was cancelled last month, with 64 entries, due to high river level. The rescheduled event this Saturday has an increased entry of 69 scullers. Good news all round.

19 November

Silent cox: members of Aberdeen Uni crews are unsure whether they are relieved by the silence or lost for direction, now that their cox has lost the cox box at the Inverness Head. Seriously, they're not cheap: if you have inexplicably acquired an extra cox box with AUBC in black ink on the sides, please do get in touch with Iain Murray of AUBC.

17 November

Scottish BIRC winner: Tom Hanna of Aberdeen University spectacularly won Men's U23 Lwt in 6:21.4 at the British Indoor Rowing Championships in Birmingham today. Indeed Aberdeen University men's coach Charlie Simpson saw 5 of his athletes finish in the top 40 of that event. Meanwhile Colin Williamson - also of Aberdeen University BC - finished in 6:12.4 in U23 Hwt (which placed him 18th, but try doing better on your next 2K test). Ruth Hobson finished 23rd in Women's U23 Lwt. This is a quick results round-up of the higher performance end of Scotland's up-and-coming competitors - so apologies if I have to catch up tomorrow on others. Full results here (well, there are 58 event classes!)

Scottish juniors excel in GB junior trials: Chris Logan of George Watson's College finished 2nd in Saturday's GB junior men's early ID Trial at Boston - while Kirsty Myles of the same school finished 11th in the early ID women's trial. Full results are here.

16 November

24 Hours in Dundee: when I suggested this headline some wag thought it was a new punishment for indiscreet Royal servants, one step more unpleasant than old-fashioned beheading. But seriously, Dundee University BC are having a 24 hour sponsored ergo in their students union this Thursday (21st) to raise funds for Breast Cancer Research Scotland. You can wish them luck on their message board - or better yet e-mail your donation or sponsorship pledge to their captain, Dave Shea.

14 November

Former GUBC captain nears trans-Atlantic landfall: Stein Hoff, a former captain of Glasgow University BC, is expecting to reach landfall at Georgetown, Guyana tomorrow, 15th November, at the end of his solo trans-Atlantic row. He started his voyage from Lisbon on 12th August, 96 days ago. Stein's wife, Diana - herself a former captain of Glasgow University Ladies BC - has already rowed the Atlantic in the same boat. You can find more details about Stein's voyage, including the 'log', at the Ocean Rowing Society's site.

13 November

Start Order for Aberdeen Fours and Small Boats Heads: word from Committee of the Dee secretary Ron Wallace is that it's a record entry in the fours head on Saturday. Boat early!

The half-yearly Scottish Universities meeting will be held in Aberdeen following the second division at this Saturday's fours head. Each club may send more than one delegate, but only one may vote.

12 November

Regatta calendar for 2003: the Scottish regatta calendar for 2003 is now here, with a few dates for other events also. I'll add more as I get them.

Licenced to thrill? The good news is there was no increase in the licence fee proposed at the AGM. The bad news is that a hefty 'fine' system was approved to deal with miscreants who go racing without one. There's also a new format for the licence (points punched like the English one). Full details of licences and how to apply for them (and how to avoid the fines) are here. Also the updated licence application form (permanent links to both installed on the Downloads page)

11 November

Fastest crew of the day at the Inverness Fours Head were the Aberdeen University men's open four, receiving their trophy and 'head' of antlers from Inverness RC president, Paddy Walsh (right). L-R, Colin Binnie, Andreas Von Paczinky Und Tenczin (he's nae fae Inverurie, then?), Neil Macrae, Dave McNeill and (front) cox Kate Wright (Photo R Sinclair)

Nithsdale ARC won junior women's coxed fours. L-R (ie from stroke!) Alex Gemie, Anna Anderson, Rhona Davidson, Catriona Page and cox Graeme Duff. (Photo M Gemie).

This week's racing: In the wake of last Saturday's highly successful Westminster Healthcare Inverness Fours Head (results), a reminder that entries for the next 'row-fest' on the Scottish calendar, this Saturday's Aberdeen Fours Head and Sunday's Aberdeen Small Boats Head close tomorrow at 5.00pm.

Glasgow Unlimited: a note from Kenny McMaster that Glasgow RC have NO plans to limit the number of entries accepted for their Glasgow Fours Head (30th November), contrary to rumours which he hears are currently circulating.

Having a Ball in the Granite City: Aberdeen BC, Aberdeen Schools RA, Aberdeen University BC and Robert Gordon University BC are having a joint Aberdeen Rowing Ball on Friday 22nd November 2002 to celebrate the towns rowing victories in 2002.

It's at 7pm for 7:30pm in the Richard Donald Suite at Aberdeen Football Club (Pittodrie). Black Tie, 4–course dinner with wine and port, ceilidh band and D.J. £30 per ticket, available from AUBC social secretary Elizabeth Macintosh (who emphasises that you don't have to have Aberdeen rowing connections to buy one!)

10 November

SARA Annual General Meeting: at the SARA AGM at the National Rowing Academy this afternoon all the business and motions notified to clubs in the papers sent out in advance was passed. In the election of office bearers for the coming year Mary Massaro was elected President (unopposed), Mike Haggerty was elected Vice President for 1 year (also unopposed) and the three ordinary members elected were Tom Baker, Liz Dawson and Michael Yeomans. I'll update the contacts page in due course when I get details.

Westminster Healthcare Inverness Fours Head results: massive entry, marvelous weather, superb racing. Congratulations to all crews; despite congestion in the boating and marshalling areas, both divisions ran perfectly to time - thanks largely to the efforts of crews, coxes and coaches who got the (many!) inexperienced crews up the course early.

A notice from Inverness RC: one or two items of lost kit were found after the event: these can be reclaimed by contacting Dave Rothwell of Inverness RC

8 November

Rowing Action magazine: the next issue is due out shortly and the editorial team are, as always, keen to receive club news, articles, photographs, letters, advertisements, etc. Contact Ailie Ord by Tuesday 12th November to tell her what to expect, with final date for submission of copy on Friday 15th November. Remember, Rowing Action is about the one place you can pretty much guarantee to get your club name, your members' names and your sponsors' names in print. Too good an opportunity to miss.

7 November

Essential Information for Competitors in Westminster Healthcare Inverness Fours Head. In order to cope with the sheer numbers of boats and bodies on Saturday, Inverness RC have allocated rigging/boating locations to each of the clubs competing. These, and a lot of other good stuff, are covered in this essential information document.

SARA Annual General Meeting: a reminder that the AGM takes place this Sunday at 1.00pm in the National Rowing Academy. Full papers for the AGM were posted to every club some time ago, and hopefully all clubs will be represented at the meeting.

Aberdeen Fours and Small Boats Heads: amongst the busy events this weekend, don;t forget that the closing date for entries for the Aberdeen heads (16 and 17 November) is Tuesday 12th at 5.00pm.

6 November

New date for Clydesdale Scullers Head: the Clydesdale Scullers Head, which was a victim of flooding on its original date, has been rescheduled for 23rd November, with entries closing on 18th November. Full details and entry forms are on the Clydesdale web site

5 November

HUGE entry for Inverness! 155 crews have entered this Saturday's Westminster Healthcare Inverness Fours Head. That's 43% up on last year - the nicest headache that any event organiser can have. The start order is here.

Race organiser Brian Bell of Inverness RC says "As you can see we have had a massive entry, thank you all very much. However, with that comes the challenge of getting all crews to the start in good time for both divisions. Those who have been to Inverness before will be well aware of our restricted boating options. To that end can I please ask all crews to arrive early at Inverness and boat soon enough to get to the start, the attached local rules document gives recommended times for boating and also gives information on the penalties for being late to the start.

We are looking to provide further information to visiting Clubs later in the week (which will appear here). This will inform Clubs where they are required to park their trailers and rig their boats together with more information on boating. We shall also be looking to streamline the registration process, again please register in good time!"

4 November

Vesta Scullers Head of the Thames: the start order for this event on 30 November is now up.

3 November

Hurrah . . . the results of yesterday's Fuller's Fours Head in London are now up here.

1 November

Inverness Fours Head: a reminder that entries close at 1800 hrs this Sunday. For anyone who saw the earlier e-mail exchange about the proposed lightweight event, Inverness have confirmed that the event is offered as originally proposed - W Lwt R2 4+, with definition of lightweight per SARA Rule D10.

Free water access at Strathclyde Park: the SARA always planned that income from the Boathouse Fitness Club within the National Rowing Academy would be used to subsidise athletes' and clubs' access to water at Strathclyde Park - which currently costs £3 per person per 2 hour session.

With gym memberships substantially ahead of budget projections, income is now sufficient to pay for free water access at Strathclyde Park for all SARA licence holders, effective from today. Those using their own/club boats must still check in at Water Sports Booking Office for safety reasons but, on production of their SARA Licence, access to the loch will be free. Bookings of National Rowing Academy boats remain on the same basis as before.

Iain Somerside, director of the National Rowing Academy, is delighted that the early introduction of free water access has been possible. "Kevin Watson and his team at the Boathouse Fitness Club deserve great credit for bringing this important benefit back to the rowing community ahead of schedule," he says.

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