ROWING.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume 1, Issue 7, 13 February 1914, Page 3

ROWING.

A BUSY WEEK. The crews for the Christchurch Regatta have all settled down to consistent training, and there is promise that competition will be keener than at any previous regatta this season. The Canterbury Club's Maiden Four, who have been going pretty well lately, will, I hear, be probable competitors in the Junior Fours also. CHRISTCHURCH REGATTA. There is a good chance of several foreign crews competing at the Christchurch Regatta. Port Chalmers will be represented by more than one Crew, while both Oamaru and Timaru will probably be represented. Rumour also has it that one or two Wanganui crews will come down, although it is rather early yet to make any definite statement. The Regatta Committee is arranging with the Railway Department for excursion fares for oarsmen coming from a distance. UNION CREWS. The Union Club's crews have been rearranged again this week. The Senior Fours are S. E. Moore (str), W. Duggan (3), H. Dallison (2), and H. Bliss (bow). Bliss and Duggan will also compete in the Senior Pairs and Moore and Dallison in the Senior Double Sculls. The Junior Four are A. Priest (str), 11. Layton (3), T. Hobbs (2), and T. Booth (bow). This crew is rowing very prettily on the river, getting fair combination. Their principal fault is a lack of drive, whilst there is also a certain amount of sluggishness about their work. It seems peculiar that this crew cannot adopt the same bright style that they had last year. The Light-weigth Maiden Four are E. Mechan (str), B. T. Mahon (3), Watson (2), and Meyer (bow). This crew is out very regularly, an 1 has so far given a good account of itself. The Youths' Four, stroked by J. Davis, are a very solid lot. Tl.ev are going ■ fairly well, but there is still plenty of room for improvement. They couldl with advantage pay more attention to work whilst in the river, and less to casual passers-by—however attractive the latter may be. IN THE AVON SHEDS. The Avon Club 's sheds . present a busy appearance every evening, the crews having settled down to steady training for the Christchurch Regatta. The splendid record of wins which they hold for the present seas in has' given great impetus to the sport amongst the members of the club, and it is a pleasure to see their enthusiasm and splendid esprit-de-corps. Systematic training is indulged in. The crews are coached from the bank," and every facility is offered by the club to ensure the success of the crews. The premier crew is the club's Junior Fours. They are a sound, hard-driv-ing lot, and no doubt owe a good deal of their success to their fitness. This crew sliouVl be the making of a firstclass Senior Fou.r, and I should like to see them entered in this race at the Christchurch Regatta, seeing that it is rowed in clinker boats, which suits this .crew admirably, and they require a

little more finesse to row a ''best and best" boat to i-dvantage. The stroke pets a splendid driving stroke, a hard catch on the commencement and plenty of leg-work, but is inclined to jerk on the finish thereby finishing with the blade lifting, out of the water. The same remark applies to No. 3, a large hefty youth, who is the backbone of the crew. Though by no, means a pretty oarsman to watch, he, gets in splendid blade-work. He should practice liold'.?ig his slide on the commencement of 'the stroke. The bow rows a good oar, but must watch his arms. He is inclined to bend the elbows and cut his stroke short by pulling with his arms. This crew gets fair pace and is quick off the mark. Stroke sets a good stroke at about 30, but at present they are a little ragged out of the water, and should practice a clean finish. I noticed this club's light-weight Maiden Four on the river during the week. They are a very even lot, but raw —and why try to race before getting combination in the crew? Stroke seems too eager. A good stroke never gets bustled, but sets a stroke to suit the crew. This crew wants a few steady rows, paying strict attention tothe elementary points of rowing, and especially to their slide-work. The Youths Fours are a solid lot. Stroke seems to have gauged his crew to a nicety, and swings them along with plenty of drive, and a gpod lengtli. No. 3 seems to be rigged too high and finishes his stroke at an uncomfortable angle. Nb. 2 does the reverse, and pinches himself over the oar on the finish. These minor defects interfere with the body-form of the crew, and mean so much wasted energy. The bow rows a good length, but could improve on his slide. I have not noticed an open-weight Maiden Four from this club yet. What's the reason? There arc plenty of maiden oarsmen in the shed —record entries for their club fours. Surely it is not impossible to select a crew. CANTERBURY CLUB CREWS. The Canterbury Rowing Club crews in, training for the Christchurch Regatta are getting iu some very solid work. The club will be represented in every event except the Junior Sculls, and judging by present form, the "all, whites" shouid succeed in gaining several wins. The bow seat in the Youths' Fours is now occupied by Glen, Burns having dropped out. The Trial Fours races for the Cowlisliaw Cup will be rowed on Friday and Saturday of next week. It is reported that the Akaroa Regatto Club will probably abandon their regatta, which was postponed until Easter Monday. Though April is late in the season for rowing, it will be a , pity if this popular fixture does not take place. A rowing contest between the different houses at Christ's College will probably be held about the middle of March." The Canterbury Club is lending two clinker boats for the event. The Wellington Regatta has been, fixed for Saturday, March 14. PADDON'S BACKER. Mr George Seifert, a generous supporter of Australian' scullers in the past, is in touch with Jim Paddon, arranging for a visit of the Australian i champion to England in quest of the i world's championship, about which i. Barry and Albany are now in dispute. , Paddon's present intention "is to lheet

Barry, and he is now engaged in making preparations for the journey. Articles have been signed and exchanged between the two. men, and Paddon will leave Sydney the R.M.S Mooltan on May 2. His brother, W. Paddon? Mr Seifert, and a pacemaker will accompany the champion. OUTRIGGER.