ROWING

Press, Volume LXX, Issue 21324, 17 November 1934, Page 19

ROWING

. —*— LACK OF PUBLIC SUPPORT CHAMPIONSHIPS FOR 1937 Why has rowing in New Zealand failed to capture public support? That was a question asked by a delegate at the last meeting of the Canterbury Rowing Association, and from other remarks made it would appear that his »vas only one of many minds which this question has been exercising. Mr George Harper said at the seventyfifth anniversary dinner of the Canterbury Club that rowing should be at the head of all sport in New Zealand, and all oarsmen and those who have been oarsmen will agree with him. But the problem of popularising rowing is a very big one, not only because there are difficulties in finding a suitable course and in conserving finance, but because there are so many other sports at which young men may spend their energies. Canterbury rowing enthusiasts have been more fortunate than unfortunate. They have their course on the Avon, which they use for training, club events, and inter-club events. Itis central, well enough appointed, and pleasant for oarsmen and onlookers. They have another course on the Waimakariri, which they use for regattas and eight-oar events, and this, according to Mr C. A. Stiles, is as good as any in New Zealand. Mr Stiles has rowed on practically every championship course in the country. In addition, they have had, and still have some very fine coaches. And yet, rowing is no more popular here than it is in other centres. It is doubtful if it is as popular. Working under such handicaps as they are, rowing men are to be congratulated on holding their clubs together, but it seems a pity if they are not to get more support and encouragement. It is true that Canterbury is making a definite effort to improve things—it is conducting an interclub eight-oar event on the Waimakariri on December 8, it is installing a loudspeaker system to help the public follow the boats, and is trying to arrange for radio broadcasts. It is, in short, trying to advertise and popularise the sport in every way it can, but its task is a big one. Better organisation of regattas and bigger and brighter opening days might help considerably. Opening day once was one of the Biggest social events in the city. Every bit of bunting in the town was commandeered for decorations, and the precession of boats was something out of the ordinary. The opening festivities were better this year than they have been for some time, but full co-operation by all clubs would have made it better still. Championships For 1937 A proposal to have the New Zealand championships at Akaroa in 1937 is being sponsored by the Akaroa Regatta Club. In a letter to the Canterbury Rowing Association, the club says the Akaroa Boating Club will celebrate its fiftieth anniversary in 1937. It asks if the Canterbury Association would favour the application for the championships, and if the Christchurch and Akaroa Regatta Clubs could combine to make arrangements. The letter says £175 would have to be found for prize money, and transport of boats would have to be arranged. If the Canterbury Association favoured the suggestion, steps could be taken to build up a fund. Inter-club Eights The inter-club eights to be rowed at Stewart's Gully on December 8 are exciting keen interest among the members of all the clubs. Training will start to-morrow, and the indications are that there will be five crews. The following rules have been drawn up:— . , All crews entering must be approved by the boat committee. The first complete crew present at training has the boat. Clubs must supply their own oars. Crews must not go further down the river than the weir. The only coxswains will be L. Hampton, M. Martin, and D. Mahoney. Boats must be used only in daylight. Crews must report damage to boat or fittings immediately on their return to the boathouse. The stroke of the last crew out must see that the boat is washed down and safely housed. The boat committee has overhauled the boats and has inspected the course | which it reports to be in excellent order. Akaroa Regatta The following programme has been drawn up for the Akaroa Regatta on New Year's Day:—Youths' single sculls (£2 and Thacker Challenge Shield, and £1); maiden double sculls (£4 and £1); junior double sculls (£4 and £1); senior double sculls, best and best boats (£4 and £1); youths' double sculls (£4 and £1); senior pair oar, best and best boats (£4 and £1); maiden four-oar (£5 and £1); youths' four-oar (£5 and £1); senior four-oar (£6 and £1); maiden pair-oar (£4 and £1); junior four-oar (£5 and £1). The races will be over a distance of 70 chains, and will start at 10 a.m., finishing at 4 p.m.