To the Crew,

Thank you for making this season (1999) a good one. At the beginning of the season, we said this would be a build up year and you have more than exceeded my expectations.

We are one of the fittest crews in the BDA, what is holding us back is our stroke. From now on we will be adopting a new stroke and with Commitment and Good Attendance from now until the beginning of the racing season (middle of March), we will have mastered the stroke. Everyone needs to attend water and gym sessions in order to achieve this.‘

Your muscles will hurt!

It will feel awkward!

But perseverance will pay off!!’

I enclose details of the new stroke. Lets aim to climb back even further up that ladder!

Thanks - Paul

Training

November Sunday - 10.30am to 12.00pm On the Water

Last training session Sunday 28^th November

December - No water training

January 9^th - Start Water training

Gym will continue throughout the year to keep up our fitness levels

Monday - Ergo’s 7.30pm – 8.30pm

Wednesday - Gym 7.30pm – 9.00pm

To the crew,

Firstly, I would like to thank everyone who has attended training over the past six months. Your effort has been outstanding. Turn out is regularly 16 plus to the gym, however, the ergo’s only seem to attract 6-8 members (can’t think why!). Unfortunately, at both sessions it seems to be the same faces who are committed to improving our performance! I understand that some of us have difficulties attending all the sessions, but those who only choose to paddle will struggle with next season when the rest of us leave you standing. With the introduction of the new stroke, which is much more demanding physically, it is vital that certain members find some time to train! After all, we are a team (working together, common purpose, pulling in the same direction, mucking in, pulling your weight), are things we need to consider as we enter the new season.

I will try to make training progressive in future, building up to the start of next season when we should be at our peak leaving it easier to maintain throughout the summer, but this will require co-operation from everyone to get the maximum out of each session, even when you’re asked to do a little extra than normal!

Thanks – Tony

BDA Congress – Saturday 6^th November

The BDA are holding their annual Congress at Beckynton in Eton this year. This is where crews get a chance to say what’s on their mind and raise points in order to improve the sport. Paul and Tony will be attending the Congress and will be raising points such as:- BDA Events, National Finals, Rules & Regulations etc. If you would like them to raise any other issues that you feel strongly about, please let them know during the week. Paul can be reached on 01753 864743 and Tony on 01753 675363. This is your chance to have a say!!

Letter from Nigel Leigh of Worcester Dragons for debate at Congress

We woz robbed! Why would I be claiming this when my crew representing Worcester Dragon Boat Racing Club achieved their best ever results in the National Finals continuing the improvement shown as the season progressed. The results reflected all the hard work by the members of the club.

No, in this instance the ‘we’ in the title is the sport in general and the registered crews in particular who are the sport. What good does it do to allow a rent-a-crew-for-the-day to come and hijack the sport’s showcase event. How could this happen given the qualification criteria laid down in the BDA’s own leaflet for the National Finals and the will of registered crews stated at congress. The event finances might have benefited by the day entry fee, but this must be seen as a net loss when application of qualifying criteria would require the crew to have competed at other events during the season. The real loss is far greater.

This is not sour grapes, the crew that won is unlikely to be the best in the country. It would be possible to put together several crews using the best single blade paddlers from around the country, with similar and probably better capability. But this would only prove that the best single blade paddlers are unlikely to be interested in a team sport, which is what OUR sport is all about. The finals should identify the best crew from within the sport for that season, otherwise why not hold them in July or August when the weather would have far less effect on the outcome of races.

Hopefully, discussion at congress this year will make sure that next year’s winners can be recognised for what they have achieved during the season and what they can do to represent us, the BDA, in International Events in 2001. Make sure you have your say at congress and the AGM.

Bonfire Night – Saturday 6^th November

Don’t forget Saturday night is Bonfire Night at Boveney Farm, for those of you who haven’t yet bought a ticket, get them from Jo at £10 each. This includes food and drink and covers the cost of the fireworks. The night starts with a bang at 6.30pm, the bonfire will be lit at 7.30pm followed by food and then the fireworks. There will be a Guy Forks competition for the kids with local resident ‘Dandy Derek’ judging the best Guy.

So don’t forget to come – it’s the cheapest and best in the area!!

Christmas Party – Friday 3^rd December

The Christmas Party this year will be at Chicago Rock Café in Windsor. Dinner is at 7pm and there is a bar and disco afterwards for those of you who fancy a boogie late into the night!

Tickets are £18.95 available from Jo and that includes a mix of starters, main meal and pudding – the menu is on the notice board in the Ergo Room, so please write down your choice of food.

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