ROWING

Press, Volume LXXXIX, Issue 27192, 9 November 1953, Page 11

ROWING

N.Z. EIGHTS TITLE TO BE HELD AT KERRS REACH

(New Zealand Press Association) WELLINGTON, November 7. The Kerrs Reach course at Christchurch will be used by the New Zealand Amateur Rowing Association for the interprovincial eight-oar championship next year, the annual conference of the association decided in Wellington today. The . Auckland Rowing Association had sought the Waikato river as the venue for •the championship, but the proposal was defeated in favour of Canterbury. Canterbury delegates reminded the conference that no eight-oar championships had been held in Christchurch for 25 years.

The race will be held on the repechage system over one mile and a quarter. The association’s annual report said that the racing plant of the majority of New Zealand rowing clubs was being steadily renewed and last season 22 new boats had 'been added to the fleet. A marked improvement had been noted in the standard of rowing, and the success of several crews from small country clubs at some major regattas during the season was a tribute to their coaches, added the report. The ensuing season would be most interesting, beginning with the visit of the West End four-oared crew and single sculler to Australia in December.

A full programme of regattas had been arranged throughout the season, with, the New Zealand championships regeattr at Picton on March 6 next. Also, there was the selection of the New Zealand crews for the British Empire Games in Canada. With the emphasis on fitness and plenty of hard, competitive regatta racing, the association’s council looked forward with confidence to a successful rowing season. The following officers were elected:— president, Mr A. Hale (Marlborough): vice-presidents, Messrs W. H. Candy (Canterbury) and W. A. Stevenson (Auckland); council, Messrs A. D. Bayfield, F. J. Cullen, T. M. Hinkley, L. L. Hosking, F. G. Obom, A. Ross, M. W. Whyte,‘and A. G. Cockroft; secretary-treasurer, Mr S. I. Kidd; auditor, Mr W. S. Wheeler; trustees, Messrs Bayfield, and Cockroft.