Exercising can sometimes seem like a slog when the weather outside is so uninviting. However, there is light at the end of the tunnel! With the Three Rivers Race only 5 weeks away, the racing season is definitely in sight. Some clubs are ramping up their training as they head into WPGC selection whilst others, who have already decided their crews, are aiming to get a head start.
We had the opportunity to chat to members of Charlestown, Clevedon and UCSC based in Brightlingsea, Essex who gave us an insight into their winter training.
Becky Hughes from Charlestown said, “After a couple of months rest after Newquay Championships we returned to winter training with a bang!
It’s a challenging time of year to get out but the rewards are there for the early starts. In winter we switch from our harbour home in Charlestown to river training on the Fowey, where the sheltered conditions mean we can start early morning water sessions to go with our land endurance training.
We’re very grateful to have the support of Penrice Academy meaning we can use their excellent gym facilities for group training on erg technique & strength sessions. Training together as a club helps build team spirit and keep our motivation and determination on the cold, wet windy nights.
Only four months until WPGC 2024!!”
Photo credit: Becky Hughes
Adrian Venner from Clevedon told us “Winter training for Clevedon is a very active period within the club and very ingrained into a large section of the membership. We are very lucky to have access to the network of waterways contained within Bristol harbour, enabling training 365 days of the year should we be feeling crazy enough or brave enough to endure the west country weather on any given day.
Open water training is also taken advantage of back home in Clevedon throughout winter and we can regularly be seen training and running drills past the famous(ish) Pier. While out on the water, we tend to try and simulate short burst races and turns, things we are not allowed to do in Bristol harbour. Our water can also be quite choppy and it’s great for real world experience – when we manage to get out weather permitting of course. These cold mornings are always followed by coffee and cake, religiously.
We went through a change of club captaincy last year and it has led to a change in philosophy around erg training. Two of our captains and a hatful of our members were previously sliding seat rowers and have a large pool of knowledge and experience surrounding erg training. This winter has seen them put into action a club wide plan, a first for Clevedon on this scale and ambition.
Hopefully all our training through the dark nights and mornings on the harbour and sweating in the erg shed will help push Clevedon Pilot Gig Club up the rankings come May, and help us become a more competitive club long term.”
Photo credit: Adrian Venner
Lucy Baker from UCSC (a brand new member club based in Brightlingsea, Essex) explained “UCSC have been training hard all winter, embracing a mixture of on water sessions through some bone chillingly cold days. We have been working hard at the gym and racing in our local Harkers Yard Winter Series League, preparing us well for our first Cornish Gig Season. We’re all eagerly awaiting the Three Rivers race as our inaugural CPGA race!”
Photo credit: Lucy Baker
It’s really great to see how many clubs are getting stuck into their winter training. We look forward to seeing all the hard work pay off in the coming season.
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