AMATEUR ROWING

Evening Post, Volume CXXVI, Issue 116, 12 November 1938, Page 23

AMATEUR ROWING

THE REGATTA VENUE

OTAGO'S ATTITUDE

GENERAL TOPICS

(By "Feather.")

According to reports from Dunedin! the oarsmen and of the Otago Rowing Association have been divided among themselves on the question of whether the interprovincial eights should be rowed on Otago Harbour at Easter, it being maintained by many that such a fixture would have a detrimental effect on the Queenstown regatta. When Otago were allotted the interprovincial eights they accepted the j race with the full knowledge that other associations believed that they j were prepared to hold the regatta at Easter. "It is extremely doubtful whether the decision would have gone in favour of Otago had any other time been stipulated and insisted upon. It is too late now for Otago to back down from the undertaking that was given the annual meeting of the 'N.Z.A.R.A. by their delegate. The province would do well to consider primarily the sport from a national point of view rather than from the point of view of a local regatta which is usually held at Queenstown at that time. It is to be hoped that other associations will take a firm stand in this matter and insist upon the decision arrived at being strictly adhered to. Steering a Straight Course. In some club races this season coxswains have been crossing over and taking another crew's water. This is quite permissible under the laws of boat racing, but coxswains should remember that when they cross over they do so at their own risk. If the crew whose water they have taken is able to spurt and touch them, the crew that has crossed over will be disqualified. In most cases on Wellington Harbour no advantage is to be gained by crossing over, and the coxswains should set a course at the start of the race and adhere to it as closely as possible. Back on the Job. F. H. Mullins has been seen in action once again this summer, and appears to have forgotten nothing of the technique of rowing during his absence last season. It will be interesting to see if he and George Cooke can gain the pair-oared title once again for Star. On the Sick List. R. O. Pearse is on the sick list at] the present time, and this is to be regretted, as he is one of the most promising oarsmen in Star's Shed. The Novices Have a Race. Star's novice pairs final was rowed during the week, and resulted in a win for D. Moleta (str) and P. Mayer from C. G. Sinclair (str) and L. Waller. It was a fairly even race at the beginning and oinclair and Waller had a lead of a length at half-way, where, unfortunately, one of them caught a couple of crabs, and Moleta and Mayer picked up a lead of a length, which they maintained until the finish. New Boats. Star have taken delivery of two new fours, and the general opinion is that they are very fine craft indeed. It is to be hoped that with the additional boats crews will be encouraged to train, and the club will have more successes in regatta racing than they did last year. Reports from Wanganui are that the two new singles will be ready within the next month. •., Good Material. ' L. L. Hosking, after his sojourn in New Guinea, is once more wielding a cunning blade. Lloyd Hosking looks remarkably fit after his spell abroad, and provided he remains in Wellington he will be a decided asset to the club. A. A. Andrews, once bow of the Star senior four and Wellington provincial eight, suffered an attack of appendicitis immediately on his return from England, but appears to have made a good recovery, as he is now, rowing with more vigour. His rowing j experience in England seems to have polished up his work considerably. SOME ADVERSE COMMENT. The decision to hold the interprovincial eights on Otago Harbour at Easter, it seems reasonable to assert, will have been received with mixed feelings by Otago oarsmen, says a southern critic. Indeed, there is a strong body of opinion against holding the fixture on the date selected, and any move instituted in an endeavour to secure an alteration would be welcomed. Any advantages to be gained are outweighed by the detrimental effects such a course must have on Otago rowing; and the promotion of the sport among the clubs within the province should be the association's first concern. In fact, apart from the prestige, the only good that can be served by holding the race here, especially at Easter, is that rowing supporters will be provided with a first-class event, and by so doing perhaps a keener public interest will be aroused, though this in turn might well prove a passing phase. - The Queenstown Regatta must suffer and with it the interest of Otago clubs. In the weeks before Easter interest will be focused on the championship event to the detriment of club activities. The championship, it should be remembered, caters only for the few, and there will be many spectator-oarsmen. The Queenstown Regatta authorities certainly have sound vgrounds for protest. For years they have done a great deal to foster Otago rowing with a first-class regatta programme, but now, after a moderately-attended fixture last year, they are faced with what would appear to be an insurmountable obstacle. The association, too, is faced with the problem of finance. Already in financial straits, it will be faced with considerable expenditure, and there appears little likelihood of a commensurated return from the usual sources. It is not desirable, therefore, especially in the circumstances, that the Association should antagonise any of its supporters.