ROCKING CHAIR MARATHONS

Press, Volume XCI, Issue 27637, 19 April 1955, Page 10

ROCKING CHAIR MARATHONS

NEW CANADIAN PHENOMENON (From a Reuter Correspondent)

« , . . OTTAWA. Rocking chair marathons are becoming the rage in the old French province of Quebec. By the end of March, a record of three days and nights non-stop had been established, but this mark, like the rocking cradle in the fable, seemed likely to fall any time.

Social historians are inclined to trace the phenomenon to a television programme early in 1954 in which the veteran correspondent and nature writer, Gregory Clark, demonstrated the old fashioned art of rocking a chair, a practice in danger of becoming a lost art. Canada’s senior citizens rose up from their uncomfortable “modern” armless bucket chairs and demanded the return of the rocker. But surprisingly few rocking chairs remained extant, even in attics, junk rooms and second-hand stores. The art of making rockers had almost died out as demand had dwindled. French-Canadian habitants, with their more conservative taste in furniture and their far from conservative sporting instincts, became the envy of the nation. In Quebec, rockers enough remained at least for exhibition purposes. Rocking teams were organised in St. Felicien, Dolbeau and Cap St. Ignace. Daniel Lessard, of Honquiere, briefly held the championship with a mark of 67 hours 43 minutes and three seconds. “Rockathons” became the rage, but contestants had to keep really rocking. At St. Felicien, a contestant was disqualified because his chair seemed to quiver to a moment’s halt while he drank a cup of coffee. “Drink as you Rock” gave way to the motto “Rock as you Drink.”

“Rockathons” are financed by curious spectators who pay 10 cents each to watch the fun, if the sight of rocking does not put them to sleep. Momentary grand champion is Lionel Marchand, of Roberval, with 73 hours 21 minutes and 50 seconds of unbroken motion.