23rd April and 29th April 2024
Well, the weather on Tuesday 23rd April looked alright (ie. it wasn’t raining) when Humphrey B, Barry H, John A and Duncan H assembled at the Carnser to take potential new member Kevin out on his first trial row. However, the sky rapidly darkened as a squall passed overhead and the wind picked up considerably. Nothing daunted, Humphrey decided conditions were just about good enough to get on the water and, indeed, by the time the skiff was launched the squall had passed and the wind had dropped from ‘gale force’ to ‘somewhat bracing’. With it blowing across the Cut, getting away from the bank was a case of ‘row any which way you can’, after which the crew was able to settle into a steady rhythm. The water became very much more lumpy once the skiff reached the Pit, and making progress against both wind and tide was something of a challenge. As indeed was making the turn to head back into the Cut although, with the wind now coming from behind, the skiff fair sped back to the slipway. By overshooting it and the bow then back into the wind made for a reasonably elegant landing. Kevin was good enough to say that he had enjoyed the outing, but hopefully conditions will be better for his next one.
Conditions were much more promising on Monday 29th April when two crews turned out for a row although a fairly brisk wind was still blowing, this time a rather warmer south-westerly. Hoi Larntan launched first with Tom H as AR and a crew comprising Barry H, Diana H, John A and Duncan H. Bluejacket followed with Humphrey B as AR, Clive and Anta, and two potential new members, Frankie O and Jon S, both on their second trial row. Heading down the Cut with the wind coming from behind was a little strange, and even more so when the skiffs arrived in the Pit with it then coming broadside-on. Conditions were too difficult to contemplate making landfall, so a refreshment break was taken on the water.
Back on dry land, and with both skiffs put away, Humphrey B announced the winners of the 2023 Robin Coombe Challenge Trophy. The Challenge, first held in 2022 to commemorate former CRABber the late Robin Coombe and the stories/jokes he used to tell as he coxed the skiffs at Barton in the past, had originally been planned to take place on the 4th November 2023 on Barton Broad. Owing to rainfall of Biblical quantities and the severe flooding that then resulted, however, it sadly had to be cancelled.
After wondering what to do with the five hip flasks he had had engraved to present to the Trophy winners, Humphrey decided to award them instead to those who had rowed at Barton the most over the 2023/2024 winter season. Despite the generally appalling weather there had been no fewer than 33 outings, and the winners were David P (with 32 outings to his name!), Tom H, Andrew F, Barry H and John R. Tom and Barry were on hand to receive their flasks, and looked quite pleased with themselves!
CRAB 
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