| 14-08-2008 |
Welcome to Oxford Boys! |
| Today we went for a trip down to a fantastic venue that we never thought we would ever be fit to grace. The new Oxford University Boat Crew HQ at Wallingford. What a venue. Solely built for the purpose of training up the Oxford crews and continuing the run of their recent victories. We had a meeting with Sean Bowden, Head Coach of the Oxford Crew. If anyone was going to be able to coach two big non rowers, he would be the man!!! On arriving at around 9AM it was clear he was a great bloke with a massive amount of knowledge. We listened in awe as he ripped our Indoor rowing led techniques to shreds. We used one of the new Row Perfect ergo's which would simulate as close as is possible being on a real rowing boat. After a good 3 hours of instruction Sean said we had done OK. We had improved. It is now time to row properly. Lose some power and be more technically efficient!! Big Boys Row has now become "Big Boys Row Properly"! He has invited us down later in the month so we can get out on the water. My only concern is that Marks backside may not fit in one of those very streamline sculls, and the river is not too rough so my sea sikness kicks in!!! Onward and upward for the team. |
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| 05-08-2008 |
Welcome to Goofyfoot |
| New clothing supplier for the team is Goofyfoot. We are extremely grateful to them for their assistance and look forward to working with them over the next 12 months. Check out their link on the website. |
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| 05-08-2008 |
Attempted Channel Crossing |
| This weekend proved to be an eventful one to say the least. We held out for a reasonable weather window which came round on Saturday lunch time. We set out alongside the Atlantic Angels boat and headed along the coast towards the Isle of Wight. After rowing for around 2 hours Ben suffered from some sea sickness. Next trip we can test some different tablets! This aside Mark was fine and we rowed on. After around 12 miles we recieved a call stating that the support vessel was not coming as it had broken down. This then forced us more inland where it was decided we should aim to take shelter in lulworth Cove as the weather was also turning again. We then recived a call from the shore stating that it had been decided that the Lifeboat was being sent to tow both boats in as they thought we would struggle to clear the headland with the currents as they were. By this point we had realised we would struggle and were extremely glad and grateful of the fantastic support that the Lifeboat crew provided us with. |
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| 30-07-2008 |
What technical genius!! |
| With the Channel crossing coming in only 3 days time, we have been trying our luck with a little boat building!! Maybe not the most sensible option, but needs must! Attached a new safety harness system and finished off the rudder components. Sounds straight forward, however not for two PE Senior Officers with minimal arts and crafts qualifications between them!! Every night this week we have worked hard to get her ship shape ready for a pounding by the channel. Sea sickness remedies on board, new oars ready, para anchor loaded (dont know how to use it yet!), steering system ready and most importantly camera charged! Forecast is horrible....Lets do it! |
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| 22-07-2008 |
Upcoming English Channel Crossing |
| August the 2nd and 3rd could prove to be the teams first experience of semi open sea. Numerous days out have now got them used to the boat in a fairly tranquil setting, however this may be a big step up! Final start times are still to be agreed with Woodvale and will be reliant on tides and weather. The boys will row from Weymouth in Dorset to Cherbourg and hopefully back again in the 2 day window. They will be using it as a training row and chance to trial some of their new systems. They will be rowing alongside the Atlantic Angels, an all female crew of 4 who are also in the Indian Ocean Race. Weather permitting, should be interesting!! Watch this space!! |
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| 13-06-2008 |
Team now being properly fueled by industry expert. |
| Boys went to visit their Sports nutritionalist Juliet wilson yesterday. She is very highly regarded in the field and has a great deal of experience with offshore sailing and endurance nutrition. She has very kindly taken on the role as the teams mechanic, ensuring the two large engines dont break down during this intense period. Juiet is working with the boys on a number of strategies leading up to the race to get them to the peak of their physical and psychological fitness. She is also helping them devise their diet and rest cycles for the race itself. "I always thought we new a fair bit about nutrition as our job entails giving out a lot of advice in this field, however Juliet has broken our race plan down into fine detail and has once again re emphasised the enormity of this race. We hope to be like the Aston Martin of Ocean Rowers by April 09!" |
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| 14-05-2008 |
Launch Event & Naming Ceremony |
| Saturday 10th May at 11AM. A beautiful sunny day in Weymouth saw another early start for the boys. Straight down to Weymouth Harbour to set up for the launch. 2 Hours of preparation later, following plenty of panic the scene was set and the Big Boys Row launch stage was ready. The event started with a few words from the team followed by an inspirational reading from Tim Ellis (Prison Rowing Guru!). Then some toasting to the boat and some random drinking! This was then followed by the official Christening ceremony by Prsion Chaplain Wilf Westlake. This all went really well and was followed up by an epic photograph session and then some bacon and sausage sandwiches in the Weymouth Angling Club. Overall it was a great success with some good publicity coming from it. Let this be the start of a very busy but succesful 2008/9 preparation. |
the team
