New Rescue/Coaching Launch

A new Zodiac 3.10m rib has been purchased with the help of a donation from The Sports Hall Management Committee. The boat will act as a new rescue/coaching launch. Like all boats, this essential item of equipment does not come cheap and we are very grateful to the Committee for stepping in and helping. We had been running with one small launch so far this term as the ex-sailing club launch which we were also using has now perished.

A virtually new 2-stroke 15 hp Yamaha engine was wisely bought last year as part of a two engine deal with Pennine Marine of Skipton. The new launch, which was also supplied by Pennine Marine, is correctly matched with the size of the engine and they run very well together.

The arrival of the new launch coincided with some R.O.C.A.P. parents qualifying as RYA level 2 Powerboat drivers, who enjoyed their familiarisation with the new boat.

Launching the new launch!

New Sculling Blades Arrive

Six new pairs of ultralight Concept 2 sculling blades have arrived. They have had their LRGSBC blue stripe sprayed on and have been marked up with coloured tape to identify them. The handles have the latest luminous green grips which have a soft finish which are very comfortable to hold. They have telescopic extensions to the loom of the blade so the overall length of the oar can be adjusted for smaller or larger crews. It is envisaged that these new blades will be used by our best J16 and J18 scullers next September. Our current best set will be used by next year's J15 competitive crews.

We were also able to buy a replacement sculling blade for our current best set which broke soon after they were purchased when the stroke man of a coxless quad caught a huge crab and the scull went under the boat (blue handle on the right in the photo above). The looms are made of carbon fibre and are designed to be stressed and bend in certain directions only! The spoon (end of the sculling blade) is made of composite materials is called a 'big-blade' or 'hatchet' due to it's shape. This is the most common shape of blade used today and is designed to stay fixed in the water throughout the stroke without slipping, making it easier for the sculler to control it and put the power on.

All rowing equipment is expensive and our budget does not extend to purchase much in the way of new rowing equipment such as these blades. It has only been possible to buy these sculling blades from the following sources: the insurance payment for "George" (the old wooden quad scull that was damaged beyond repair), as well as the generous, Gift Aided, donations of several OLs and a parent. Raising funds for new rowing equipment is an on-going and never ending effort. The equipment gets a lot of use and wears out. We try and protect the equipment as best we can but it is for the use by the boys. The popularity of rowing in the UK, post the London Olympics, and at LRGS is increasing. We have certainly seen an increase in the numbers of boys wanting to take up the sport recently. Success breeds success and we are on the upward curve of developing rowing at LRGS again. If OLs or parents would like to make contributions for new equipment, we would all be very grateful. Donations can be Gift Aided to maximise it.

The New Boats Arrive.

The new boats were delivered on Saturday at the end of the Half Term break. It took the Wednesday Games afternoons to get the riggers coloured coded as we have new riggers for a 4x+, a 2x and a 8x+ to sort out. That's 14 pairs of sculling riggers (28 riggers) and sweep oar riggers for the four and pair (6). A lot of riggers to work out which boat they belong to.

Thursday Games afternoon was a busy one. JPJ and DY arrived early at lunch time to start the rigging of the boats. Thirty four boys still needed to go rowing as well. It was a boiling hot afternoon and all boys enjoyed perfect rowing weather on the river with DY and RGT. While the boys were on the water JPJ rigged the boats with the help of a Sixth Form and checked all the measurements. By the end of the Thursday Games Session, the coxed four and double scull were rigged and ready to go.

The coxed quad / four is named after the previous rowing Master, Tim Lucas. Tim had a huge effect on developing the Club and was responsible for many regional and national successes over a sustained period of time, as well as building up the pool of boats which many boys have learnt to row in. In fact, part of the money for the coxed quad was raised by ROCAP, the parents committee that he set up and worked with for buying new rowing equipment. This was the last of the ROCAP funds that we needed to spend up. Tim was responsible for encouraging many boys to start rowing and who are now OLs. The purchase of this boat was mainly funded by a generous donation from an OL.

The double scull /pair is named 'Scott & Mason Durant' after our most successful rowers of recent times (current GB oarsmen). The boat was bought with generous funds donated by The Friends of LRGS.

By the end of the session, the current J15s were able to launch 'Tim Lucas' and try it out. The boys were amazed at how smooth and quiet the slides were and were very impressed by the quality of the boat. It is definately a winner!



The new sculling riggers to turn the eight into an octuple have also arrived from ES Rowing and have been fitted. This has been a huge success and the octuple has been racing up and down the river with boys who are learning how to scull. It will be reported on separetly, when I can catch up with them!

We are now working hard and trying to seek funds for some new sculling blades for these new boats and the octuple in time for the Founder's Day weekend and the official launching of the new boats.

New Boats started

The two new Janousek Racing boats were due to be started on the 18th April.
A stern coxed four/quad and a double scull/pair. Completion date should be about 8 weeks.

A Janousek four in the workshop with the same colours as our new boat - 'Tahiti Blue'





New Equipment for Summer 2013

We are grateful to the OLs and 'The Friends of LRGS' for providing the following new equipment:

Octuple riggers for our eight.

Here is a photo to show what an octuple looks like. Each oarsman has a set of sculling blades each. A great way to get beginners started. After the last Games Option meeting in the last week of the Lent Term, more boys signed up to have a go at rowing. Many of these boys are rugby players wanting to keep fit and learn a new sport. We potentially have 31 boys on the river on a Thursday next term. An octuple is the only way we can get all these boys on the river...and control them!
Janousek Double Scull / Pair (2x/-)

'The Friends' have generously donated the money needed to purchase this boat. The photo shows what the boat will look like. It will be named "Scott & Mason Durant" after our most successful rowers of recent times.

Janousek Coxed Quad Scull (4x+)
A very generous donation from an OL and remaining monies left in the old 'ROCAP' account has allowed us to purchase a brand new coxed quad for junior rowers.

This photo shows a junior coxed quad in action. Our new boat will be blue.
Both Janousek boats are due to be laid up in April and be ready sometime in May 2013.

*** New Sculling Blades ***
We are hopeful that the Club may be able to purchase some new sculling blades to go with these boats. We will be short of blades if alll boats are out on the water at the same time. Any donations for these will be gratefully received! Concept 2 sculling blades are approx. £485 inc VAT per pair.
http://www.oarsport.co.uk