ROWING.

Auckland Star, Volume LXI, Issue 53, 4 March 1930, Page 15

ROWING.

MORE TRIAL RACES.

NGARUAWAHIJ. REGATTA.

NEW CREWS TRAINING.

SMITH SHIELD FOURS.

Rowing circles were fairly quiet last week-end, many men being either on holiday or in camp, while the low tide also considerably affected two clubs. The city clubs, Waitemata and Auckland, I each managed a set of trial fours, in j which some good rowing was produced.. The water conditions were splendid for! the earlier races, but by the. time ■thefinals were rowed the wind had veered' round to the north-east and rotigh water'. was experienced. |

The Waitemata Boating Club managed to get six crews out for Mr. W. Denison's trophies. The heats produced good! sport, but the last stages of the final was a row over for Johnson's crew, as.* an accident in Impey's boat compelled.?, the crew to stop.

The Auckland Club had two good heats, but Stacey gained a runaway win. in the final. In both the races Stacey's crew gave a good exhibition. The work; in the final calls for special mention, j On the northern side of the harbour the Shoreites managed to muster four: crews, and willing races resulted befores the winners were discovered in Walsh's crew.

The low tide prevented St. George'a and West End holding trial races, but; a few enthusiasts got boats out from each shed and enjoyed a spin when the: deep water was reached. Three, of St. George's scullers got in some usefuL work in view of the George Cup handicap. Smith Shield. The 17th annual inter-club non-clas& fours race for the Smith Shield takesplace next Saturday afternoon. If weather conditions are suitable the" course will be from Orakei to a point near the eastern tide deflector. A splendid view of the race can be had from the new waterfront roadway. and. nodoubt many will follow its progress iu| motor cars. The Waitemata.. Boating Club controls the race,- and the othetf clubs will be well advised to make arrangements with the governing officials in view of any change of course. Defin-' ite instructions should also be gained, regarding the course, the starting and finishing lines. Either eight or ten crews will start and coxswains should be>, advised about their courses, and thus: save any collisions. f In view of the remarkable success achieved by North Shore in inter-club races this season, the one question in rowing circles is: Can Shore win? The only success the oarsmen from across the: harbour have had in the long series of contests for the Smith Shield was in the initial race in the 1913-14 season. A winp therefore, is long overdue. The record of wins reads: West End and Waitemata four each, then follows St. George's and Auckland three each,. Hamilton and North Shore one each. > '••• The Settlement. The Auckland Rowing Association will meet to-morrow night, and club secretaries are requested to have completed and forward all returns so that accounts for the Whau regatta can be settled. At the present time it is difficult to state the financial success of that gala. In view of the busy time the association officials will have with the interprovincial eight-oar race, everything must be squared up immediately. Interprovincial Eights.: On March 22, at the Whau River, the ■third annual interprovincial eight-oar race will be decided. About six crews will start, and a most spectacular sight should be presented. The Auckland Association is at present busy making arrangements for the race. Ngaruawahia. Regatta-• ' The last chance of the season for clubs to improve the financial position, will be on March 15 at Ngaruawahia. All crews are training hard, and while those with successful records are sparing no efforts to keep them intact, several new crews are working to upset calculations. The tricky nature of the river at this point is well known, to the regret of many crews, and no chances can bo taken. The usual programme of class races has been provided, but there seems every likelihood of the senior race developing properly. Already five crews have signified their intention of competing. Clubhouse Gossip. West End hold their final At Home on April 26, as there are •no suitable tides before that date. St. George's have arranged a flannel dance for March 20, funds to go to the new boathouse. . Shore will start three crews and St. George's two inthe Smith Shield on Saturdav. After the advice given in such a force-, ful manner last Saturday all Waitemata oarsmen should know how to lay off a course. G. Cleal reappeared for Auckland _ on Saturday. Ho was short of condition, but is training hard for Ngaruawahia. E. Buckler, secretary of the Auckland Bowing Association, is away on holiday. The Maurice Caro Cup and Mason Cup events are yet to be decided. The Sommerville Shield eight-oar race again fell flat this season; only one contest. Shore will place a senior four at NgaTUflWctllicl# i; ! ' '•►. ' St. George's may race the Dingley Memorial Cup'fours, if time pennits, on Saturday.