New Zealand Squad Shaping Up Well

Press, Volume CVII, Issue 31383, 31 May 1967, Page 13

New Zealand Squad Shaping Up Well

•TRAINING schedules will x tighten up in the next few weeks for the 10-man squad to row for New Zealand at the Canadian Centennial Regatta at St Catherines between August 10-12. The crew assembled in Christchurch three weeks ago and Since then it has been undergoing disciplined training routines involving distance rowing, road run-

nlng, and a physical training programme. A main part of training is the daily row on Kerrs Reach. The squad rows from the Reach to the estuary and back—about 11 miles rowing. This is designed to give the rowers the stamina they will require and also to weld the squad members, most of whom have never rowed together, into a strong unit

Three of the squad, M. Brownlee, J. Hunter, and T. Just, live in Christchurch, but the other seven members come from all over New Zealand. The Canterbury Rowing Association has provided board and found employment for the rowers during their three months stay in Christchurch. As well as the daily longdistance row, the training programme includes daily road work, and a twiceweekly work out in the Linwood High School gymnasium under Mr A. S. Lewis. The squad’s coach (Mr R. Robertson) said that the crew was in excellent shape and that training had been very effective. In a recent time trial at Lake Waihola, the crew had clocked smin 58.6 sec for 2000 metres, much faster than the 6min lOsec he had expected, Mr Robertson said. The eight would have its official time trial on Saturday, July 1, and that would give a clear indication of how the crew was making out, he said. An eight and a pair will be selected to row at St. Catherine’s. The two crews will be announced immediately before the squad leaves for Canada but at present each member is training for both the eight and for the pair. This should provide well trained experienced men for both crews. The squad will begin its new rowing schedule soon, concentrating on shorter fast runs to help it achieve its fastest speeds, although occasional distance runs and general fitness training will not be neglected. After the squad was picked, there was a great

deal of controversy over whether Canterbury was an appropriate training venue. Mr Robertson, however, is entirely satisfied both with Kerrs Reach and with the local association. There were no problems with the river, apart from some debris in the water, and the Canterbury Rowing Association could not have been better. Everything was

well-organised and nothing which would help the crew was any trouble to the asso elation, Mr Robertson said When asked about th squad’s prospects at S Catherine's, Mr Robertso said it was too early ft anything but rash stat ments, but he felt that th squad was almost certain i reach the finals and shoul perform creditably.