Dear Members,

A follow up to my email of early October ("Two forthcoming events"). The events in question were our first club time trial and the UTRC Small Boats Head. I'm pleased to say that both were a big success.

We had over 45 boats entered for the time trial, and I hope we will exceed this number next time, which, by the way, will be on Saturday 21st November. Just to remind you, the time trials are open to everyone of all ages and abilities. All boat classes are permitted, with particular emphasis on singles, doubles and pairs. The senior squads get involved, which provides a chance for the rest of us to compare our speed against them.

A very important aspect of the club time trials is the opportunity for the whole club to come together once a month throughout the winter timetable for the enjoyment of rowing in a big group. The results get displayed on the notice board for 24 hours, at which point they are binned and forgotten about. I'll provide the doughnuts for after the race - precisely the sort of touch you won't find at less illustrious neighbours like Leander.

Turning to the Small Boats Head last Sunday, we set ourselves the target of winning the Victor Ludorum, and I'm pleased to say that we managed this heroic feat by a solitary point. Well done to all the crews who took part, especially those which contributed to our win. I'm pleased to say that the winners weren't just from the junior squad this time, indeed some VIPs came to the rescue, however the juniors did excel as usual on Saturday at Marlow. A particular "congratulations" is due to Jon Mottram for winning his novice pot in a single.

I take this all as an encouraging sign that we have made a good start to the season.

Following these stellar achievements, I'd just like to note how important it is that we maintain a competitive focus at UTRC - even if the focus involved is trying to win at Novice or Veteran level, or to beat your friends in the club time trial. Every win is as valuable as any other, and we make very little distinction; simply turning up is important in an active club. Of course, having a paddle with your mates is a pleasure to be positively encouraged, but I'd like to suggest that a healthy club will include a fair few members who aspire to compete against (and beat) their peers. As Captain, I am very keen to ensure that these more aspirational athletes are well supported - without them we would be much worse off as a club.

It is my firm belief that over time we will begin to attract even more top class athletes who want to take their rowing seriously, and who will increasingly view Upper Thames as a leading centre of club rowing. The challenge for me is to make our club as attractive as possible to these potential race winners, at the same time as retaining a vibrant and supportive general membership with (perhaps) more diverse goals.

Rest assured that I will not jeopordise the best of what we already have in the process. I am always conscious of how lucky we are to have such a unique location on the actual HRR course, and now that our facilities have been upgraded, I truly believe UTRC can become a leading club in all departments.

As time goes on I will let you know what progress we are making more specifically, but for now it's enough to state some of my key aims:

• First, I aim to create the best training facilities in UK club rowing. This will help attract race winners, and retain members of all abilities - I am convinced that active rowing members are the club's life blood, no question about it.
• Second, I'd like the junior section to become a UK leader within 5 years; and we're half way there already thanks to the coaching efforts of the remarkable Will Satch and his able band of parent helpers.
• Third, I'll continue to work towards a club which serves the interests of all groups.

Whereas so-called high performance clubs aim to produce Olympians on the backs of a large (and often sedentary) membership base, at UTRC we will not seek to emulate this.

We want full access for all, maximum utilisation of resources, and a wide range of aspirations from top to bottom. Strawberry nosed buffers are welcome, along with the huffers & puffers. Bare-faced bluffers are already well represented in the intermediate and social squads.

I'm sure that some of you could do without emails about my vision of the club's future, and apologies to you. But I think it is important to let members know the direction in which I am seeking to take the club, as well as to give you the chance to express your thoughts and opinions in response, and whether you agree with my aims or not in particular. Feedback is always useful in planning for the future.

Austen, our Boathouse Manager, is in the process of putting together a Breakage Reporting System ("he's buying a book") which will be kept in the boathouse - when this process has been completed and becomes fully operational ("after he's bought it") I'll communicate the optimal user methodology ("tell you where it is"). Austen is doing a great job, and his involvement has already made a massive difference. By the end of January the benefits of boathouse discipline should be very clear to all of us.

Lastly, there are some races coming up which are of interest. The senior squads will be at the Fours Head in a couple of weeks time, and after the time trial a week later on 21st November, the trailer will be going to Wallingford Fours and Eights Head on Sunday 6th December, about which more later. It would be good to get up a posse for this event as it is conveniently close to us. Also, there is an ergo competition being staged at the club (from 1.30pm) the previous day, Saturday 5th December, which has team and individual events. Please support this if you can, see www.henley2k.com

As ever, feel free to get in touch on any subject.

Justin