OLYMPIC GAMES CANOEING

Press, Volume XCI, Issue 27664, 21 May 1955, Page 9

OLYMPIC GAMES CANOEING

PROPOSAL FOR N.Z. REPRESENTATION “The Press” Special Service AUCKLAND, May 20. In a bid to obtain representation at the Olympic Games in Melbourne next year, the New Zealand Canoeing Association has opened a fund to procure two of the best Scandinavian racing kayaks before next season. On the basis of the times registered at the Dominion championships these canoes could lift our best paddlers into world class. Mr D. J. Mason, the president of the New Zealand Canoeing Association, said that the expertly designed, light moulded racing canoes were the principal need in the sport here. If sufficient money is raised an international kayak single K-l and also a kayak pair K-2 will be imported. Using locally-made craft, competitors m the national championships on tha Wanganui river returned times which would have to be reduced by about 20 per cent, to attain an Olympic final. “When the Games are held just across the Tasman a unique opportunity will exist for our canoeists to participate,” said Mr Mason. "In 1936, when canoeing was held in the Olympics for the first time, England scraped up a crew in a few months and took eighth and ninth places in the 10,000 metres folding canoe events, then the sport really took hold in Britain and is extremely popular there now.” I