ROWING.

Auckland Star, Volume LX, Issue 12, 15 January 1929, Page 13

ROWING.

REGATTA CREWS ACTIVE. KEEN TRIAL RACING. NEW COURSE SURVEYED. AFIKANTIEMENTS FOR HAMILTON. There w«».« much activity in local rowin? circles during the week-end—trial four racing, regatta crew? training and the inspection of the Whau River course by the oth'ecr.? of the Auckland Rowing Association. The only clubs trial racing last Saturday were Waitemata and Auckland, each lowing a s et of fours. Waitemata's races attracted =ix crews and Auckland's four, which must be regarded as

very satisfactory as so many members are still enjoying their holidays. Both elubs raced over the same course from Orakci to r.car the eastern tide deflector and provided a splendid afternoun's tow ing. Each event was well (•untested and trie ultimate winners had to expend every ounce to catch the judge's eye. 'Rubber" Fearon's crew gained the honours with Waitemata in a somewhat mem-

orable go. It was a battle Toyal with Mackay's crew, and seldom has the excitement in club trial racing been so intense. As the judge's line was approached Fearon got the all important stroke in first and as his boat's nose crossed the line the next second Mackay was in front. The win was fully due, for the veteran "Rubber" has been somewhat under a cloud of late.

The Auckland Club's second heat ni-ovided a spice of amusement when Ross's crew, leading comfortably, ran ashore on the reef off Judge's Bay. Why the crew cut in and disregarded signals from the shore was hard to understand. It coet them a big eay for possession of the trophies. Some suggested allowing the crew to row in the final or a re row of the race, but the officers ruled otherwise and thus brought the true npirit of the sport to bear. A big improvement was noticeable in the Auckland crew's rowing, a fine reach with a good catch and solid leg drive taking the place of the short, jabbing stroke that has crept into the club. This *tyle proved the undoing of two crews at Whangarei, and it was pleasing to note that the advice tendered has been acted upon. Perseverance with the methods adopted on Saturday will bring its reward. "Dick" Stacey s win was also fully due, and now that he is using a better blade, something better than second place regatta honours ehould result.

After watching many regatta crews in action in various parts of the harbour during the last week, the impression was left that their work generally showed a marked improvement over that at Whangarei. It has not in many cases yet reached that standard to hope for success on the river at Hamilton. Some men seem afraid to reach out, are without a good solid cateh and leg drive. When forward ready for the stroke there is too much dwelling before striking and on the river this will prove fatal. Reach out and strike the water with "a bit of devil" in the work. There is no fear of hurting the oar or the water. Don't go about the work as if afraid that the oar, rowlock, riggers or poppets might break. Put in a bit of vim and determination and the benefits will be felt immediately. Halfhearted actions are no good if success is hoped for in the rowing world. Some men are not rowing the s'troke home, but meeting the oar with the body. It kills all the swing in a crew and means a lot of hard slogging without any results. Again, stop the coxswains from calling for dozens so often. Teach the boys to call for the catch. In one set of races last Saturday the coxswain was instructed from the roadway and when he gave the striking time properly the effect on the crew's work was magical. The foregoing points are the outstanding faults and the work of the crews during -the coming week will be closely watched.

WHAU COURSE. It was the writer's good fortune to accompany the officials of the Auckland Rowing Association last Sunday on a trip to the Whau River in Mr. G. H. Reston's steam launch. The object of the journey was to make a thorough inspection of the course and the surrounding countryside, in view of the association's provincial championship regatta next March. After a pleasant run up harbour the river was reached juat on the first of the ebb tide and everyone was impressed with the fine wide and long straight stretch of water up to the landing by Mr. Robertson's property. The course on this portion offers a full two-mile journey with but a very slight bend, one that crews racing would not notice. Another great factor is that the course is of a most even nature and no crews will suffer from the run of the tide, which is nothing like the current on the Waikato. Nine crews could be raced together in comfort. From Mr. Robertson's property the judge would have a most commanding position, but what counts for most, the public have a clear view of the longest race from *tart to finish. No other course about Auckland, in fact anywhere in the Dominion, is one so handily situated with such splendid rowing conditions. Going above the landing is a stretch of over a mile, but with a bend in it, that would be most suitable for scullers, double scullers and pair oars. By using both courses a continuous programme would be carried out in very quick time and the objectionable delays so irritating to the spectators avoided. A stay was made on the river until dead low water and conditions seen that would never exist when a regatta was held. Even then a welcome surprise was met, for a good course still offered, one tar in excess of so many raced on. A very careful study was made of all the conditions and the executive were armed with information that should result in th« mo»t successful rowing regatta jet etaged in Auckland.

•hist linw to reach the course ie an"thei- <|ucstion easily overcome. It is nliout a twenty-minutes run from town over a concrete road for the greater portion of the journey, then good metal Cars wo drive right *nto the paddock

overlooking the finishing line and viewing the whole course. By steamer it would mean about an hour's run, which to so many would prove a most enjoyable outing in itself.

It was a busy day to all concerned, but the oarsmen of the Auckland province can consider themselves fortunate in having officials controlling their affairs who have been so painstaking in finding such a course and going so thoroughly into all details to ensure a successful regatta. The party arrived back in town just after six o'clock, well sunburnt, but satisfied with a most enjoyable outing. The thanks of all oarsmen are due to Mr. G. H. Rest in for placing his launch at their representatives' convenience, and the great trouble he has gone to in the matter.

HAMILTON REGATTA. Reports from Hamilton show that arrangements for the regatta on the 29th inst. are well in hand, and there is every indication that this popular fixture will be up to its usual high standard. Ciood entries for all events are anticipated, and as the Christmas regattas did not show that there were any crews having marked superiority over their opponents in any class, except perhaps the maiden double sculls, there is every prospect of some exciting contests at Hamilton.

All oarsmen will welcome the decision of the Waikato committee to again buoy the course this year, thus cutting out the "dead" water between the railway bridge and the winning post, and eliminating an advantage which accrued to the crew drawing the town bank position. The committee is to be commended on its decision, as both from the oarsmen's and the public point of view it is much better to have the crews finishing up the centre of the stream than to have them rowing up as close to the banks as they can safely creep. Better finishes result, and there is more satisfaction to a winning crew in knowing that it won on its merits and did not score its victory simply on account of being fortunate enough to draw the most favourable position.

The draw for positions has on occasions caused a little uneasiness in the minds of eome of the members of the city clubs, but there need be no misgivings over this matter, as the local magistrate, Mr. Wyvern Wilson, will this year again be approached to conduct the draw, and the Auckland Rowing Association will be notified of the time and place, so that it can, if so desired, arrange to be represented. The committee would also welcome the attendance of a representative of any individual club.

Eight-Oar Race. The eight-oar trials at last year's regatta proved so popular that the Hamilton committee has again decided to place an eight-oar event on its programme. This year the race will be an inter-club one, but owing to lack of boats (there being only two available) the entries must, perforce, be limited. The race is open only to those clubs entering senior crews. There was no option but to limit the entries, as if too many were received it would not be possible to get through the long programme. Even with the limited entries the Hamilton committee will find it difficult to have the programme completed by schedule time, and it therefore behoves all clubs to render every possible assistance by having their crews at the post promptly on starting times. Action in this direction will go a long way to assist the regatta officials and help to eliminate vexatious delays.

There is no doubt that eight-oar rowing is, from the spectators' point of view, the most spectacular class of rowing, and the Hamilton committee deserves a word of praise for its endeavour to foster more public interest in rowing by placing this event on its programme. The lack of boats is, however, a serious handicap, and until more are available it cannot be expected to have a great deal of eight-oar regatta rowing.

Apart from the eight-oar event all classes are well catered for on the Hamilton programme, and with good water assured a big improvement in the form of the various crews is looked for. The Crews. The Hamilton crews are all in solid training, and local supporters are hopeful that a <"air measure of success will be attained at the Hamilton regatta. The club recently landed a new best-and-best Sims four, and it will be given a try out at the forthcoming regatta. The senior crew, St. Clair, Sandos, Bayly and Waters, have been having a few rows in the "boat, but are a little strange to her yet, and their form has suffered accordingly. This, however, will be remedied with practice, and the crew hope> to give a good account of itself on the 29th. Sandos has been suffering from a minor ailment for a few days, but is now back in the boat again.

St. Clair and Molesworth are certain entrants for the Handicap Sculls. The former has for some time been working in the Huntly district, but is reported to be very fit. Molesworth has now reached the veteran stage, but is as keen as ever, and if given a useful handicap will make the pace pretty merry for the other contestants'. There is a probability that Hamilton may also be represented in this event by E. Patterson and Hill, but both are carrying too much condi.tion and will require to do a good deal of hard training to be fit to row out a hard mile against the current.

The junior four (Pope, Brockett, Attwood and Salisbury) are training consistently, and should be a very fit crew by the 29th. On their Whangarei showing they must be given a fair chance. The junior pair, Pope and Brockett, will have to improve a good deal if they are to make a race of it with the Tauranga and Waitemata crews.

The maiden four (Taylor, Pennell, Partridge and Graham) arc swiujrinji along in good style in their work. They are not a big crew, but are showing fair form. The light maidens (Lewis, Gummer, Curnow and Lewis) put up fair performances at Tauranga and Whangarei for a raw crew, but their form- leaves plenty of room for improvement.

Hamilton will probably have two representatives in the maiden single sculls. Wink and Attwood. The former, who has just returned from a In' ' y in the Wairarapa, is showing fair ise. and his ability to steer a good .use will stand him in good stead in the race. Attwood has not done much sculling this season, but is very fit and should be capable of keeping most of his opponents moving. Wink and Attwood will also compete in the maiden double sculls, but have done very little training together as yet. They will probably have difficulty in keeping pace with the unbeaten crew from the Auckland ehed.

CLUBHOUSE GOSSIP. I •''Rubber"'" Fearon ha? entered the winning list? again and his win on Saturday wan very popular. One wag has sent the writer a chart with "Ross' Reef"' marked on it. For future reference to oarsmen it is off Judge's Bay. The photo enlargement donated to Waitemata and entitled '"Memories of Whangarei." lias nothing to do with the winning donation* there. By the form shown in the dinghy on theWhau River the association should consider such a race for the '"has beens." Mr. W. Kane was only acting as temporary secretary of Hamilton regatta, but a real live wire has been found in Mr. Reg. Cook, who has taken up the reins of office. Tauranga have a strong force going over to the Hamilton regatta.

Auckland Club's At Home will be held mi January 20. The president's four? will provide the club's racing, while in iiddition the Maurice Caro Cup for double .-culls will be the interclub attraction. The Kohn Medals will be contested at West End's trials on Saturday. St. George's have recovered from holidays and low tides and resume on Saturday with the Schmidt pair oar trials. S. Challinor will replace D. Stokes as how in North Shore's heavy maiden four 1 at Hamilton. Waitemata"? programme on Saturday I will be fours for Mr. W. J. HamptonReynolds' trophies. North Shore are still without their new boats and consequently no trials will be rowed until they arrive. The present boats have had 17 years' use and the regatta crews are now training under difficulties. Something carries away after almost every row now. The association's eights are now being overhauled in readiness for the Hamilton regatta. Judging by the form shown by the A.R.A. executive on the Whau River, they are still quantities to be reckoned with. When will Shore get their new boats proves as hard to solve as did picking the heavy maiden winners at Whangarei.