Rowing Regatta At Charteris Bay Today

Press, Volume C, Issue 29436, 11 February 1961, Page 5

Rowing Regatta At Charteris Bay Today

'JJnlike the majority of other provincial rowing associations, Canterbury has no official provincial championship regatta but many generations of oarsmen have regarded the Christchurch Regatta Club’s annual regatta as the premier fixture on the local racing calendar. y Factors leading to the envi-

able reputation and popularity of the Christchurch Regatta are that it is the only status regatta in the province with a full length course, it is usually the only regatta where local crews meet competition from other centres, and is one of the most efficiently organised rowing fixtures in the country. Today’s regatta should be no exception. With representatiop from the Wellington. Marlborough and Nelson provinces, a total of 99 crews have entered from eleven clubs for the 16 races on the programme. Several crews will be strong contenders for honours at the national championships to be held at Wellington in three weeks time, and close competition is expected.

In most cases, club supporters will be interested in the fate of their entries in the senior events for eights, fours, pairs, double, and single sculls. The highlight of the day is undoubtedly the senior eights race Which this year

has drawn the somewhat disappointing yet select field of three starters. Star (Wellington) won this event at Picton at the New Year regatta, and beat the Union (Wanganui), national titleholders, recently, while conceding defeat to Petone earlier in the season. Canterbury, which is now concentrating on eight-oared rowing, won at the Kerr’s Reach pennant before Christmas in a fast time. All these crews are capable of surprising the strongest Auckland and Wanganui combinations. Senior Fours

The senior fours has drawn another strong field, with six entries. Local interest should centre on the duel between Union and Canterbury, but these crews must expect strong opposition from Petone and Star. Union won this event at the Picton regatta in a very convincing manner but have

not been so impressive in training and have had to concede defeat at the hands of Canterbury in both the local races held this season.

The senior pairs, double sculls, and single sculls events are each a little disappointing in certain respects. The pairs field contains no local entries, and the double sculls has only one visiting crew to test the local combinations. The single sculls field comprises two Avon and one Timaru sculler only. Without detracting from the undoubted ability of P. F. Keegan. Avon’s second entry, it is a pity that B. Reid (Avon No. 1) will not be tested against the calibre of, say E. Akins of Union.

In Charteris Bay, the Regatta Club has a course second to none for oarsmen and spectators alike, even if it does not meet the special requirements for a national championship course. It was said by visiting oarsmen last year to be the equal of the wellknown Auckland course at Lake Karapiro. It is expected that the selectors will announce the names of the oarsmen to represent the province in the interprovincial championship race after the regatta.