The Rowing Training programme
   – row, row, row the boat...

“Time in the boat and then more time in the boat and then even more time in the boat.” Well, that’s the general rule for any long distance rowing.

The team of 10 rowing in Belle Founder (see below) means we will be rowing for 4-6 hours each before taking a 2 hour break and then climbing back in.

The L2P crew has trained hard and has accomplished some major long distance rows in open water as part of the training, one a month. We began with 40 miles in September and will be rising though to 80 miles in January to 120 miles in April. This has included day and night exercises to get us used to rowing in the dark and even trickier, changing crews and position in the dark! We have received fantastic support from the Hayling Island branch of the RNLI and without whom some of our all night/all day rowing sessions would not have been possible. The London2Paris team are most grateful.

Fitness Training
   -cardio, weights and pilates

How do you get 10 amateur rowers fit for a week long competitive race across the busiest waterway in the world? 

Olympic rowers train for 4 years to row a 6 minute race. We have 26 weeks to get fit to row for a minimum of 6 days rowing in open water both during the day and night, sleeping rough on the safety boat and clambering in and out of the boats to change over crews. Clearly a mental challenge as much as a physical one.

Our initial programme includes 4 sessions a week including gym, cycling, swimming or running and of course rowing on a machine and in a boat. In October we started a planned 26 weeks schedule to raise fitness, endurance, lactate management, power levels and our pelvic floors. In addition to each team member aiming to train 5 hours a week on top of rowing weekends, we are also attending a specially designed pilates course to help us build our core strength. Its new for most of the crew but everyone is keen to build up their backs, bums and tums to take the load.
Well the team are fit a ready to ROW! All of their hard work will hopefully pay off with the winning of the race!

CORE SPONSORS

CEMBUREAU, the representative organisation of the cement industry in Europe based in Brussels is the first CORE SPONSOR. CEMBUREAU represents its Members at European and International levels: enhancing the competitiveness of the cement industry, developing environmental know-how, promoting generically cement and concrete.

  
   AND

John Wiley & Sons, Ltd, based in Chichester have joined together with their water sports specialist brand Wiley Nautical to become our second CORE SPONSOR. The company was founded in 1807, and has been a valued source of information and understanding for 200 years, helping people around the world meet their needs and fulfil their aspirations. Wiley businesses include scientific, technical, and medical journals, encyclopaedias, books, and online products and services; professional and consumer books and subscription services; and educational materials for undergraduate and graduate students and lifelong learners.  Wiley Nautical publishes over 100 books, including the cruising companion series and has recently launched a new mobile phone weather service. 

More information on this service at:
http://www.zoboa.com/store/wiley/home.php 

Hi-Tech Sheet Metal Ltd, is the third CORE SPONSOR and is an established specialist within the sheet metal industry manufacturing a wide range of products to customer specifications, supplying sub-contract services for the provision of our customer base. 

Visit their web site at http://www.htsm-ltd.co.uk/

Oberthur Technologies is our fourth core sponsor and is a leading provider of card and smart card-based solutions. Oberthur Technologies is a world leader in the field of secure technologies. Innovation and high quality services ensure Oberthur Technologies’ strong positioning in its main target markets. Visit their web site at http://www.oberthurcs.com/

SPONSORS-IN-KIND

Jenny Strudwick, Body Control Pilates teacher – classes being taught at Bedhampton arts centre to ensure the rowers adopt the correct and safe rowing posture. Telephone:07762 722723 or email: jennystrudwick@aol.com (assessments done at Physiotech clinic in Havant with free room rental thanks to Kay Nilsen-owner).

Hayling Island RNLI, for continued patience, support and assistance with our training regimes. Fortunately we never had to call on their water born services!

Department of Sports and Exercise Science Has agreed to provide sports science support to the L2P team covering 3 specific areas: 1. physiological tests; 2. some workshops specific to the needs of the rowing team and; 3. a research proposal based on the psycho-physiological conditions experience by the rowers. Fitness assessments for the crew start this month! Thanks to Mr. Colin Iggleden for acting as the Project Officer and to the team at University.

Natalie Gotts, Nutrionalist, has provided the crew with 2 information seminars outlining the dietary requirements in preparation for the race and during. She has experience of improving individual’s marathon times and has experience as a rower herself. More info at http://www.nutritional-thinking.co.uk

Hayling Island Sailing Club (HISC) has allowed the crew to use their pontoon for overnight mooring and early launches and for some welcome respite during our training rows. Many thanks for welcoming us.

Rock the Boat -- We love the kit and gifts available from this great rowing supplier. Di Binley has generously donated a quality t-shirts for us to sell for charity donations. So far we have raised over £65 and there are still many shirts available in the boathouse. Come have a look.

Many thanks to the staff at Northney Marina for their support and for permitting us to their all state of the tide slipway.

 our local ferry company to the Isle of Wight have generously donated funds to our core operations: with Marketing Manager Kerry Jackson wishing the crew the 'very best of luck in this challenge and may it be truly successful'.