9 February 2016
Meet our beginners – class of 2015
Some of the beginners with senior squad members at this year’s Cambridge Winter League. Left to right: Caroline Murden, Valya Malyarova, Bibiana Grobarova, Alistair Mackie, Karl Zwetsloot, Trevor Rickwood, Bob Hetherington, Kieron Marriner, Paul Walker, Mick Nolan, Kat Harris, Chris Leaf
Last year’s intake of beginners is about to join our senior squads. Meet some of them here, say hi when you see them and lend them a hand as they begin the next chapter of their rowing adventures.
Learn-to-row course co-ordinator Alistair Mackie said: “The crews have put in some good performances. The women in particular have been technically impressive and everyone will, I’m sure, provide significant competition for seats in the senior squads.
“I’m looking forward to see how they develop. Who knows – perhaps some novice wins over the summer?”
Meet some of the group
Dave Cullen
Age: 54
- Why I took up rowing: For relaxation and to keep the artificial hip moving
- Worst moment in a boat: Having to cope with over-hydration
- Best moment in a boat: Getting out of the boat after ‘worst moment in a boat’
- Goals for 2016: Great Ouse and Boston rowing marathons
- Ergo workout music: ‘Brownian noise’ for easy sessions and ‘white noise’ for harder sessions
Robert Stirling
Age: 31
- Why I took up rowing: Challenge myself, keep fit and meet new people
- Funniest moment in a boat: Mick waving to bystanders as we passed
- Worst moment in a boat: Capsizing… twice
- Goals for 2016: Continued improvement, competing and a few seconds off my 2km time
- Ergo workout music: House, dance, pop compilations
- Rowing snack: Homemade granola bars and flapjack
Caroline Murden
Age: 39
- Why I took up rowing: Fun and fitness
- Funniest moment in a boat: Capsizing with Bibi J and Bibi asking if her mascara had run
- Worst moment in a boat: Capsizing and being on the launch of shame back to the clubhouse
- Goal for 2016: Improve my technique – apparently I need to stick my chest out
- Ergo workout music: DJ Rob’s house and cheesy pop
- Rowing snack: Chocolate croissant
Stuart Fleet
Age: 48
- Why I took up rowing: To enjoy rowing with my girlfriend
- Best moment in a boat: Rowing in an eight for the first time
- Worst moment in a boat: Tipping a double!
- Goal for 2016: Improve my technique
- Ergo workout music: Ministry of Sounds album
- Rowing snack: Home-made cake
Paul Walker
Age: 42
- Why I took up rowing: An alternative to triathlon following injury
- Funniest moment in a boat: Capsizing a double while still in contact with the landing stage
- Worst moment in a boat: As above
- Goals for 2016: A decent standard of rowing, competitions and to enjoy myself injury free
- Ergo workout music: Anything to drown out/accompany my heavy breathing
- Rowing snack: Coffee and cake
Frank Glen
Age: 47
- Why I took up rowing: Peer pressure
- Best/funniest moment in a boat: The three strokes when the boat was in perfect time and balance
- Worst moment in a boat: The 3,000 other strokes
- Goal for 2016: Balance
- Ergo workout music: Anything that drowns out my whinging
- Rowing snack: Banana loaf