THE CHAMPION OARSMAN

Bay of Plenty Times, Volume XIV, Issue 1828, 21 April 1885, Page 4

THE CHAMPION OARSMAN

Tiie following account of the life of Wm. Beach, the champion oarsman of the world, wiil bo interesting to our rowing men : William Beach was born in Sussex, England, in 1851, but at a very early age he left for Australia with his parents, who took up their residence in New South Wales. His first rowing win of any consequence was at the Wooloomooloo Bay Regatta, in 1881, where he beat three others in a light skiff race. Subsequently he commenced rowing in an outrigger, and in the Punch Trophy he was second to Michael Eush, beating Trickett and Laycock. As the three opponents were the greatest of Australian scullers, his performance brought him into notice, and he was looked upon at that time as a coining champion. Having beaten Clifford easily in light skiffs, Beach suffered defeat at the hands of M'Donald in the National Regatta of 1883. Dissatisfied with the result, the present champion made a private match with M'Donald over the same course and beat him easily. Several scullers were now ambitious of beating the new man, and Soloman and Reynolds were beaten easily by him. Beach was beaten on the Clarence by M'Donald, and after winning a race at Wooloo. mooloo, he was taken in hand by Messrs Punch and Deeble, who subsequently backed him against Edward Trickett over the championship course. This was won by the ex-champion, for the reason, Beach's friends said, that the defeated man was not accustomed to wager-boat rowing. Three weeks later, however, the verdict in a similar race was reversed, and later on again Beach beat Trickett easily for the second time. He was now looked upon as far and away the best man in Australia — a verdict which was justified by the manner in which he beat Trickett in the Hunt trophy in December, ISS3. A month or two later Beach and Trickett fouled in the National Regatta, and the race was rowed again on February 21st, 1884 Trickett winning. Yet another match was arranged between the two "great guns," and Beach won easily. Prom that time he had been the recognised sculling champion of Australia, and indeed, since he beat Hanlan in Aug. last, of the world. He is said to be a magnificent specimen of a man, standing about sft 10 in. high. He is a farrier by trade.