News & Press

A friend of LYR, Lord Rosser, invited Dan Cooper and two Lea RC athletes, Lottie Hudson and Lizzie Panton, to tour the House of Parliament in early November

Lord Rosser was impressed when he visited Lea RC to see the club in action and meet some of the Leyton Orient community sports project kids that attend Learn to Row sessions on Thursday afternoons. From this he was keen to show a couple of the performance squad around his working environment and give a better insight into what goes on in the building.

Our rowing party included Di Ellis (Chairperson of British Rowing) and Ray Mallet  (Chairman of British Rowing’s National Development Committee). We were shown around the Lords and Commons chambers, as well as offices and committee rooms. After lunch, we had the  chance to watch the afternoon sitting of the Lords.

We were constantly amazed by the history and the intricate details that adorn every room in the Palace of Westminster. Lottie and Lizzie, who are both interested in government, found the whole experience exciting “being where the topics are discussed and the decisions are made”.

While on training camp the junior athletes and Dan Cooper (Lea RC Coach) were lucky enough to be invited to the Royal Marine’s Training base in Lympstone.

We arrived at the base not quite knowing what to expect and after passing many guards with assault rifles (and having the van checked for bombs) were escorted to their “Visibility Unit”. Here we were each issued a pair of boots, a commando rugby jersey and a camouflage jacket and trousers and asked to fall into three ranks. This was a problem, since most of the juniors had no idea what a ‘rank’ was….

assault course

The day started with a practical demonstration of the basic field assault course, with ropes to slide across, walls to jump over, monkey bars to cross and tunnels to crawl through. After this there was a lecture about what the Royal Marines actually do and a question and answer session. After a shy few moments eventually a barrage of questions were asked, some more constructive then others. After lunch we were able to few the marines practice for an unarmed combat demonstration, which was being shown at a local rugby match the following week. The demonstration was really designed for a stadium but was still very impressive close up. It was a great experience for the athletes and all were very impressed with the discipline and the physical ability of the Royal Marines.

The October half term training camp was held in Devon at the Dart-Totnes RC (Dan Cooper writes). Sixteen junior athletes and two coaches from four different clubs attended the camp, which was a great success. After a long journey, picking up athletes from East and West London, the minibus Dart-Totnes RC at lunchtime, just in time for the safety briefing. The trailer reached us a little later, due to “an ignition issue”.

The training camp revolved around two to three sessions a day working in 4-, 4x, 2x and 1x. The mixed ability programme allowed the more experienced rowers time to coach and assist others but also get in their racing boats to develop their own skills. The camp was very “front end of the stroke” dominated with all working on their last part of the recovery, the catch and connecting through the footplate. A few injuries flared up whilst on camp but the casualties recuperated while videoing crews and coaching from the launches.

The accommodation was fantastic. Both YHA centres were clean and comfortable, with constant hot water. A substantial breakfast and three course dinner was served and a packed lunch was provided meaning that the juniors snacking was greatly reduced. But enough from me – a report from one of the juniors really says it all.

“I found training camp over half term great for a number of different reasons. Firstly the large amount of single work allowed for embedding of new technique in different parts of the stroke without sessions being separated and the focus lost from one session to the next. Also, it was great to meet new people from other LYR clubs but to see again friends we already know and have the chance to work in crew boats, which isn’t normally an option. I thought that the location and river was really good given the flat water we had every day and it was a welcome change to being on the Thames. I thought that the camp was both fun but also helpful for me both on and off the water. I found Dan’s ergo “Masterclass” really good and hopefully I can now use that in the boat along with the new technical aspects I worked on camp.”

London Youth Rowing has linked up with the Kickz Arsenal Project to bring indoor rowing to everyone in Hackney – the result of a new co-operation recently agreed with the Metropolitan Police.

The Met has been running Kickz since 2008 and you can find out more about the programme here.

Now LYR is able to join the programme, we plan on placing  ergo machines with participating youth clubs like the new facilities at Vaine House on the Gascoyne Estate in Homerton.

Tasters

In the meantime we are holding taster sessions at the various youth clubs to try and convince all the Kickz footballers that they REALLY want to be rowers! The first taster session at Morningside Youth Club was a great success and was followed by another session on November 19 at Nesbit House Hall.

We also had a number of youngsters attend our on-water taster at the Lea Rowing Club during half term. This was greeted with so much enthusiasm that some of the younger kids had to be rowed around by the coaches as everyone wanted a turn on the water!

All of the sessions have been well attended by the Met Police in Hackney and they have given some of the older guys a real run for their money on the indoor rowing machines!

Unfortunately due to predicted bad weather condition the GB Junior Early Identification Long Distance Trials (GB Junior EID Trials for short!) have been cancelled.  In light of this all of the athletes that had been entered plus a few more are being entered into the Hampton Head which is being run on the 28^th of November.

This race is on the Thames and is over a 3km distance with the stream.  The GB selectors will be attending this event and therefore it has suddenly become of high importance for not only those that are attempting to get their GB vest this season but also for those younger athletes to be noticed for future seasons.  We wish all competitors the very best of luck at this event.

Written by training club athlete, Liam Downs.

The London Youth Rowing training camp at Totnes was unforgettable. New friendships were forged, a sense of group morale was apparent and great fun was had. After an incredibly long, back-breaking journey we finally arrived at Dart Totnes rowing club. Unfortunately we had to wait for a couple of hours as the truck which was towing the trailer broke down somewhere along the M4. When eventually we had the trailer in our possession and had rigged all of the singles we made our way to the youth hostel where we were staying. On the way we got lost a few times due to the SatNav which seemed to be lying to us about where to go.

After about an hour we came to a massive house in the middle of nowhere which seemed to be the youth hostel. However, we did not know where Paddy was so we had to wait in the minibus. Suddenly, the call came that the truck had slid down a hill backwards and that the truck was now wedged in a mud bank. In the dark we made our way down the hill in order to try and help move the truck; all to no avail. At last after a collected team effort we managed to free the truck. 10 minutes later, dripping wet we finally came to the youth hostel and had a well-earned rest.

Our first day of training included a steady state outing which lasted about 2.5 hours. During this time we had the opportunity to absorb the beautiful scenery of Totnes and get used to the river. The following session we were boating to do a technical and Lottie fell in when trying to push off the landing stage! To be fair it was incredibly hard because we had to boat of stairs which were really steep and narrow so if you didn’t lean all of your weight into the bank you would easily fall in. In the technical we had to back the boat down for three strokes then come to the catch position and hold the position using our cores.

On the next day we did a distance session in singles which was tiring but useful as we had to ensure that we were working on the technical points the coaches had picked up on on the previous day. This was followed by another technical concentrating on getting the body lean in as early as possible and opening the back hard. For the evening session we went out in quads which was interesting, to say the least. I find that when you go out in a crew for the first time it takes a while for everyone to adjust.

Waking up the next day, we were faced with the thought of training with the marines. Fun Times! So we boarded the bus and just over an hour later we entered the Royal Marines base camp. It was very intimidating to see massive men walking around holding guns and posters with inscriptions similar to: “Hunger is when you’re looking for food under rocks.” We met the guy who issued the kit to us and headed down to the bottom field to attempt the assault course. The assault course consisted of jumping over water, climbing over walls, crawling through tunnels, balancing on narrow walls and more. It was absolutely exhausting and made all of us realise how easy our training is.

In the afternoon we had to play some problem solving games which helped us build up both our leadership skills and our teamwork skills. We then watched the Royal Marines perform a routine which they were rehearsing for a rugby match the following week. I can safely say on behalf of all of us that we slept well that night.

On the Friday we did a 20k outing in quads which seemed to last forever. This was followed by a session in fours which was really fun. It was great to try some more sweep oar, no matter how awful it was.

We found out on the Friday night that we were doing a 5k piece @r28 the next day, in preparation for trials which is in two weeks time from now. When Saturday arrived we were all very reluctant to do the time trial but we did it with other juniors from Dart Totnes Rowing Club and Exeter Rowing Club. We all did reasonably well.

That night to celebrate Halloween we watched some scary movies which we had bought earlier on in the week. It was hilarious to see everyone’s reactions.

Sunday and it was time to go home. We were going to do a session but it was too windy to go out so we just headed straight back to London after reviewing some targets we had made at the beginning of the week.

Everyone who went had an amazing time and we all miss each other greatly so it will be brilliant to see everyone again on the weekend of the Fours Head, after which we are going out for the day.

Two of the Lea RC Junior Performance Squad were invited to Nottingham in late October to join in with one hundred other athletes at the GB Junior Potential camp.

There were two, three day courses one for female and the other for the male athletes.  Lottie Hudson attended the former while Liam Downs attended the latter.

While at the camp the athletes were coached on the water and on the rowing machines by a number of different coaches that had attended from all over the country.  Both athletes got a lot of insight in the amount of training that is required to make the GB Junior squads at the end of the season but came away from the camp enthused and excited about the upcoming season.

Police in Barking and Dagenham have been jumping on board with London Youth rowing in a variety of ways.

The relationship began through working with Longbridge Youth Club when LYR instructed PC Graham Mann in becoming a dry rowing instructor and have invited youth club members to supervised activities at the Royal Docks.  PC Mann has since taken 15 young people from Barking and Dagenham to the Royal Docks some of whom had never been on the water.

By the end of the week the young people were competitively rowing against each other and other clubs before receiving prizes and goody bags.

Longbridge Youth Club has an affiliation with London Youth Rowing for a number of years. The organisation provides rowing throughout the London Boroughs in an attempt to improve fitness, self esteem and the well being of young people.

The cheque, provided by the Police Property Act Fund in the amount of £2650 will be used to continue youth rowing activities in schools and community spaces in Barking and Dagenham. This will include the use of dry rowing machines and water based activity.

PC Graham Mann said: “When setting up my youth clubs, I shall be encouraging the activities of London Youth Rowing and attempt to make young people more aware of the sport while also promoting fitness and self esteem.”

For more information on London Youth Rowing go to www.londonyouthrowing.com

Story and photo from the Met Police Website.

Come and have a go at 3 sports under one roof on 28^th November at Attlee Youth centre,5 Thrawl Street, E1 6RT from 11am  to 4pm

You can try Running Cycling and Rowing all in one room at The Big Screen Try athlon. Using computer software and indoor rowing & cycling equipment you can race with your friends and see if you are the quickest round the course. This is a fun event. Do not be put off by it’s extreme title. Prizes for every age category and gender. Check out the postersz and download the Entry form or contact  Penny on pcuthbert@londonyouthrowing.com or call 07736619601

On 24 October, people in 181 countries came together for the most widespread day of environmental action in the planet’s history. At over 5200 events around the world, people gathered to call for strong action and bold leadership on the climate crisis.

Below is how LYR got involved!