ROWING.

Auckland Star, Volume LXV, Issue 68, 21 March 1934, Page 15

ROWING.

FINAL REGATTA TESTS.

UNIVERSITY TRAINING HARD.

ACCIDENT TO ASSOCIATION EIGHT

The curtain fell on the season's regatta racing last Saturday when at the Ngaruawahia Regatta the Auckland provincial crews had their final tests, and now in this direction of the sport records can be compiled and club treasurers prepare the increases to the exchequers.

The big Waikato gala, as usual, attracted a great attendance, reported as being an advance on last season's figures, and if this proves correct the local rowing clubs will look forward to increased donations at the next regatta. The complete buoying of the course left no cause for complaint and what was considered by many interested oarsmen to be the only "jarring notr" of the day was the Hamilton Club's protest in the Heavy Maiden Fours. That the protest was upheld lent weight to Hamilton's contention of not having been notified of a change in the starting time of the race. The re-row of the race can be termed as unsatisfactory, the only crews to then face the starter being Tauranga and the two Hamilton fours, the other interested combinations, not favouring the decision, did the best thing under the circumstances and remained ashore.

The greatest surprise of the day was the Ngaruawahia Club's success, and it was like in the old days, when the wearers of the light blue with the white cross played such a prominent part in deciding the programme. It must have been vei-y pleasing to the club's president, Mr. W. J. Wilson, for his efforts in coaching the crews. At the Hamilton Regatta on Anniversary Day the St. George s maiden double scullers scored a 6in victory over Ngaruawahia, but on Saturday the country oarsmen had their revenge and led their rivals home by three lengths. Also at Hamilton the St. George's and Hamilton youths rowed a dead-heat, but upon this occasion St, George's won by ii length from Hamilton. Morey, of Mercer, who has only been sculling since January, made a good showing, and off the 40s mark in a best-and-best boat, went away to win by four lengths. Morpeth (Hamilton), off the 65s mark in a clinker boat, made the most of his handicap that also proved too much for the scratch man, R. B. Smith, who got into third place a bare half-length behind Morpeth. Plummer, of Tauranga, off 255, was expected to show up well, but he capsized. Hare (Hamilton) required more than 20s and also C. J. Willetts (North Shore's only representative), 40s. It is quite evident that two classcs of sculling races will have to be introduced, and it is a question that the powers that be can consider during the winter season. West End tasted defeat in the light maiden fours, the first of the season in local provincial regattas, going down to the more matured combination of Ngaruawahia. ;•! i . ■

As generally expected Hamilton had a runaway victory in the junior fours, being in a class by themselves. Tauranga again accounted for the Maiden Pair Oars, and thus kept their record intact. The pleasing feature of the Senior Fours was Hamilton's performance, when a return to that club's standard of rowing was witnessed. The club has now another combination that should retrieve lost honours. Both Waitemata and St. George s, considering the crews placed, made creditable showings. The University crew enjoyed a long spin in their new eight in the sheltered waters of Hobson Bay on Sunday. The crew is now in solid training and has had some long rowsf - which have greatly improved the combination: From now on until the race at Easter the crew will be training over the three-mile course, which is the distance of the race. Next week-end the crew will go into camp at the Whau River, where solid work will j>ut the finishing touches to the crew's training. Having given swivel outriggers a trial for a period of over two years, the Waitemata Club is changing back to poppet rigging and after this week will Jiave all its boats rigged withpoppets. Next Saturday Waitemata row the double sculls trials for Mr. D. M. Foreman's Cup and miniatures. St. George's Club will hold the MortonThorpe trial fours next Saturday. Auckland and North Shore have also arranged for trial fours uext Saturday. The West End Club has the presidents day At Home next Saturday, when trial fours will be rowed for trophies donated by Mr. A. C. Norden. A dance in the evening completes the celebrations. An accident, fortunately without serious results, befell one of the Auckland Rowing Association's eights when being taken up the harbour last Sunday. The boat capsized, and in the rough water the back of the centre section was broken. As the craft is a three-piece boat there is every chance of its being repaired.