Welcome to the New Season 2022
All Mark One
After an extraordinary summer of sunny weather and recent storms, we are starting a new season at Scullers. Welcome to all including our new joiners in the junior and senior squads. We look forward to seeing you all on the water and racing in the famous red and yellow!
Our new Head Club Coach Ben Lewis joined us in early August and with Chris Williams as Performance Director there are plans for an increased focus on sculling and a stronger “one club” approach. The plans include increased coaching collaboration and more all club activities including our season opener social on Sunday 4th September at midday, following an all club tidy up from 10am.
We also plan to run monthly Thursday evening socials each hosted by a different club group – thanks to Murray of the Claire Mc group for volunteering to organise the first one, more details soon.
We also plan to bring back a monthly club erg for friendly inter club competiton!!
Autumn Club Events (and main races)
September
4th – Sunday 12.00 - Scullers Season Opening Social
10 am club tidy up – all welcome
17th – Saturday 10.00 - Scullers head
25th - Bernie Thompson plus social event
October
2nd – Sunday 09.30 - Pairs Head
November
19th Saturday – 12.00 - Fours Head plus social event
20th Sunday – 13.00 - Vets Fours
December
11th Sunday - Christmas puddings plus Christmas social
Summer racing round up
As well as great success on the international scene various squads/ groups were pot hunting at the summer regattas including Staines, Maidenhead, Sudbury and Henley T and V with high levels of success.
Most notably at Henley T and V where the SM won in their double and coxed four. Congratulations to all!
Next up is Libourne World Masters 7-11 September. Around 15 Masters athletes are heading off to France for this event (over 4000 masters athletes attending!)
This is followed immediately by Scullers Head or for some Monster the Loch (12 MW racing 33km down Loch Ness on the same day as Scullers Head – all true madness!
Good luck to all!
New Exec committee
We have a new exec committee so please be patient with enquiries etc as everyone settles into their new roles. At the AGM we confirmed
Kate Grose as President, Fiona Betts as Captain, Chris Williams as Head of Boats/ Safety (in addition to his new role of Performance Director), Heather Farmbrough as Social Media and Comms Officer and welcomed the following to new roles
Chair – Pauline Peel
Treasurer – Sophia Supple
Secretary – Elaine Fahey
Operations Lead – Lasse Burmester
(supported by Mike Hartley in the boathouse and Hamish in the Clubroom)
Most recently Anna Smart has also joined the exec as Social Secretary and will be overseeing the events listed earlier for the Autumn season and starting to think abour our club dinner – a very big welcome to Anna.
Important bits and pieces
Gym Timetable
The new timetable will be available soon and we hope to offer non squad members more access to these areas, especially in the mornings – more soon!
The Roof
As most will know (all except our newest members) the roof at Scullers was replaced only a few years ago, however the material/ refurb has failed quickly leading to lngthy investigations regarding why etc. The upshot is that it needs replacing again and this will happen in the Autumn, however it should not affect the clubs operation or training schedules. Enormous thanks to all who have wrestled with this problem – expecially Kate, Chris and Gareth.
However for the next month/ until repairs completed we will need help with “tidying up” after very heavy rain – primarily in the club room and ladies changing room – thank you in advance for your help.
Running costs
As everone will know running costs are going up very fast. We have come to the end of a very advantageous fixed cost for our main running costs and between electiricty/gas increases (now fixed for two years) and the roof, Scullers is facing increased financial pressure so please make sure you turn off lights in the boat shed and gym and look after all our equipment carefully.
Fobs and security
We are revising how we organise this but please continue to order your fob through the link on the website in the members area.
Volunteering
There is now a sign up sheet by the entrance to club where activities needing a volunteer will be listed. Usually small things – seeing in electricians or helping with junior capsize drill – do have a look and see if you can help.
The Club room and bar
Hamish is staying with us to run the bar and soon the weekend timetable will be with us. Please support your club and sign up to do a couple of sessions on the bar.
Finally let me know if you would like to organise your groups Thursday evening social and if you have any other ideas for supporting the club.