NEWSLINE Issue 10 - 20^th September 1999

It's now coming to the end of the season, a season that I originally thought would be a build up year. For various reasons we didn't manage to recruit many new members, however, the 15+ nucleus who turn up for most, if not all, the training sessions, thank you all!

For those members who tend to pick and choose when they attend training, let me say this - For the minimal amount of money you pay for membership to this club, we all get more back than we pay into it.

Nottingham is 4 weeks away and after Rome we need ALL members to attend training if we are to come back from Nottingham with a medal. It upsets me also to find, once again, the uncommitted cannot attend both day's racing as it has been on the calendar, year in year out, and no-one has approached me until recently to let me know.

Those members, you know who you are, probably can't be bothered with 250m races, but new members and members who don't quite make the 500m squad because there are more than 20 paddlers, are going to be disappointed not to be part of a strong 250m team and even more upset to be left out of the 500m team on the Sunday when certain members appear!

We are a team - if you cannot commit to this (your) team, then join another club. Most of the members we have are very committed.

We will all be travelling in the minibus, except those who are bringing children. The reason for this is that we stay part of a team - travelling, unloading and loading the boat, building team spirit and morale.

For those coming separately, you must be at the Watersport Centre no later than 9am and stay to the end of the day's racing and ceremonies.

We will meet at the Parade Ground as usual on the Saturday morning, very early - time to be advised.

Meet at the Parade Ground between 11am and 11.15am on Friday 10^th September. We are being very kindly picked up and driven to Heathrow in 2 of the College Minibuses. Dai and one other are taking time out from work to drop us off, so be prompt.

We will be flying with British Airways from Terminal 1 on flight number BA0556 arriving in Rome at 1735.

There will be a coach to meet us at the airport to take us to our accommodation. Emergency contact details where we are staying are: Country Club Castelfusano, Tel: +39(0)6566 3321/+ 39(0)6568 2972, Fax: +39(0)6568 2971. I also have a mobile that works in Europe if you are desperate!!

The returning flight on Sunday 12^th September is at 1835 from Leonardo Da Vinci airport, Rome on flight number BA0557, arriving at Heathrow at 2020. Again, we will be picked up by the two minibuses and brought back to the Parade Ground in Eton.

Make sure that you have a valid passport, spending money, travel insurance (if you want it), anti-histamine cream/tablets, suntan lotion.

After Nottingham, river training will be on Sundays at 10.30am, Ergo training on Mondays and Gym training on Wednesdays until the beginning of December and will recommence the second week of January.

There will be a deposit of £27 for all new paddles issued. Cheques should be undated and will only be cashed if the paddle is not returned at the end of the season or is broken.

2-3 October - Nottingham Finals

23^rd October - Batchworth Triathlon