ROWING.

Auckland Star, Volume LXI, Issue 298, 17 December 1930, Page 19

ROWING.

CREWS IN TRAINING.. SELECTOIiS' BIG TASK. -IVTERPBOVIN CTAL EIGHT-OAR CREW. The trial four programmes, as arranged before the holiday season, were, completed during the week-end, ' and now activities will be mainly centred in the preparations of the regatta ciews for Tauranga and Wliangarei.

The clubs were favoured with good conditions for last Saturday's racing, and some good sport resulted. In Hobson Bay St. George's had a close sei ies of races for the _ Thomas Dingley Memorial Cup and miniatures. The contest got as far as the final when a stop was called owing to a broken bolt in an outrisrger. Owing to the falling tide, time C did not permit of racing when repairs were effected. Next morning the race was rowed. The high wind raised a cross sea, but nevertheless the event was well contested and Biss' crew gained a well deserved win. Although the wind was nor'-west the Waitemata and Auckland Clubs _ bothrowed the long course from Orakei. The crews met fairly lively water at the, start, and again a bad patch ' off the second gap. Waitemata's third heat was the best, but at a critical stage of the race a yacht race looked like upsetting calculations. The crew of MO., seeing the position, immediately put thenboat into the wind and the oarsmen went past unhampered. The sporting action was greatly appreciated and met praise from the- spectators. In the final Stevenson set the pace to the o-ap where Smith made a bid and gained the'lead that gave his crew the victory. Two races were sufficient to decide Auckland's trials, and the final was worth going a long way to see. For over half the journey there was nothing between the crews. Scott then gained the lead and for a time looked like repeatin" his performance of a week

previously. Off the cap, however, he. raced 111s stroke, going at a rate too fast to pret any work in. Gilligan, 011 the inside, was just the reverse and kept a line swinging stroke, every 1 dip telling. his crew the lead in the last rough 3 patch. In the closing stages, however, Gilligan was inclined to .shorten up the stroke, but the -finishing line was not far away and the crew were first to catch the judge's eve. The western suburbs' oarsmen had the annual fours for the Mrs. John Clark Shield, a much coveted trophy of the West End Club. Once again the long course was rowed, - and the competitors appreciated it. The crews all showed improved form. The winning stroke, M. Conway, was on the seat for the firsttime, and has every reason to feel satisfied with his performance.

Late Starting. At practically every set of trial fouis this season a very late start has been made, with the result that the last two races' have been rushed through. On Saturday it was 3.30. p.m. before any rac.e was- started, and considering that, most of the crews were Selected by 2.30 p.m., there was no excuse for the delay. In some cases waiting for one man was the cause, - and this was unreasonable. If clubs are going to row the long course so much time must' not be wasted earlier in the afternoon. Entries should close at the appointed time, and when the crews are picked the responsible officers Should see that the men get out instead of idling about the bpathouse. Apart from anything else, their latefinishing leaves the final work to a few. as those men defeated in tlje earlier races get back to town. It is a long way to any of the boathouses, and a late finish * spoils the afternoon's sport for those complelled to wait until the finish. Selectors' Task. One of the principal subjects of discussion among oarsmen at the present time is the selection of the Auckland crew to lay claims for the inter-pro-vincial eights to be rowed in Dunedin between March and April next. The local association is awaiting of the definite date from' the Otago Association. In order to give the crew a thorough preparation the Auckland Association invited nominations from all clubs under it's jurisdiction, of men ..Avho could make the trip to "Dunedin, but upon the closing date no nominations were received from the country

clubs. This will account for none of the country men appearing in the crews now being tried out. It was anticipated that claims would have been made on behalf of Hamilton and Tauranga oarsmen. Perhaps the amount of time lost in the preliminary training and on the trip South is responsible. Under the present circumstances it appears that the crew will be composed of men from the city clubs, and if sijch is the case it will facilitate training operations. The Otago Association, kindly offered and the Auckland. Association accepted one of its eights and this will considerably minimise the expense and work of the tvip. The Aucklandgrs are at present using the No. 1 boat, but as soon as No. 2 is assembled it will be placed in commission. Viewing the list of names appended the prospects are that a much younger crew than previously will this seasonrepresent the province. The selectors, Messrs. B, Rutledge and H. Riss, have each had experience in eight oar rowing, the first in the New Zealand Expeditionary Force crew and the last with the Dominion crew that visited Canada last season for the Empire Games. They have a hard task ahead, but have plenty of time.' Leaving nothing to chance the selectors tried out two crews last Sunday with L. Brooker, B. McCallum, I. C. Horton, J. B. Beasley, D. Walsh, H. Jackson, R. Smith, A. Cote's, W. Seagar, C. G. Fearon, 0. Felton. This evening at 6 o'clock the following crew will be given a spin:—l. C. Horton, L. Brooker, H. Jackson, W. Stevenson, D. Gardiner, 0. Felton, C. G. Fearon, R. Smith. The selectors will have to do a lot of shuffling with the men, but anticipate being able to announce a crew by the end of the week. Auckland has had two experiences in the big race and jso doubt the lessons taught last season will be taken to heart. Mr. T. Marshall, who selected the first crew, has upon this occasion been appointed the coach. Reasons for failures in the past have been that the crews were not together long enough. This season with so much time ahead the same cannot be said. It simply wants the men to enter their task wholeheartedly, and, backed by local enthusiasm, much good will be achies ect. Coming Regattas. All regatta crews are now. down to their tasks in earnest, but some of the elubs have had a set back through men being unable to travel. However, despite the many handicaps of the tran:>-

port arrangements the various officers have euccceded in getting more cre\V3 foi both Tauranga and Wliangarei than was anticipated. These galas have for some years proved very popular, and it is far 'from the wish of Auckland oarsmen that anything should happen to have the programmes cut out. Clubhouse Gossip. Surprise has been expressed that no ; nominations were received from Hamil- j ton for the inter-provincial eight-oar J crew. E. Korn, who figured so prominently in Shore's regatta and inter-club crew for several seasons past, has joined up with Auckland, opening his account with a win in the trial fours last week. W. Oliver hat 3 the Shore heavy juniors and the light maiden fours afloat every morning. Shore's seniors, W. Dean, D. Davie-s, B. McCallum. F. Xorris, are training every evening. W. Conway, West End's veteran, was very proud of. his youngest son's performance in stroking the winning crew last Saturday. G. Cleal will probably join up with Waitcmata. With his partner of two seasons ago W. Eaddy .-should make a welcome" double sculling crew for the dub.

Clubs had better consider the advisability of having a starter in trial fours. Acting by mutual consent will not prove profitable for the regatta men. One veteran writes hoping that it tlic veterans' race eventuates it will be coniinda to men who are at least 40 yeara of age and not have been away from their clubs for at least seven years.