Mark Gebbie named ‘Oarsman of Year’

Press, 31 March 1980, Page 34

Mark Gebbie named ‘Oarsman of Year’

By

TIM DUNBAR

Few choices for Canterbury’s “Oarsman of the Year” have been more popular than the latest recipent, Mark Gebbie, (Avon) who received the trophy during a ball at the Manhattan on Saturday evening. Gebbie has been chasing a coveted “red coat” for many seasons and he finally achieved Kis: ambition nine days ago when he filled No. 2 seat in the Avon crew which won the champion eights title in the nationals at Lake Horo-j wheriua. This was the first time since 1976 that Avon, had won the : .eights, arid the two wins represent the only occasions the title has gone to the South Island. Gebbie has been in two previous Avon premier eights

(1977 and 1979), with a third place and a narrow, second behind Waikato on the record. He had previously tasted success in another class, however, when he combined with Greg Smithson to win the junior (now senior) cox-, less pairs title at Lake Karapiro in 1976.

The Avon man could not afford to celebrate too strenuously on Saturday evening. By 6 a.m. yesterday he was back working on his father’s sheep and cattle farm at Teddington. „ ... „

Working as far away as [Teddington means that Geb!bie has to cover about 300 km a week to train at Kerrs Reach with his fellow Avon club members.

In spite of this, and his murmurs about retirement in the past, Gebbie is likely to be rowing again next season. He said yesterday that he

would be borrowing a single scull from the club and training in the region .of Charteris Bay over the winter. One of Gebbie’s greatest aspirations (a red coat) has been achieved. Now he has another. - — completing, a marathon with other; keen Avon premiers such as Steve Donaldson and George Keys. The other big award presented on Saturday evening went to the gritty Canterbury club rower Roger Murphy, who received the Art Pickering Academy of Physical Training trophy ■ for the best physically prepared oarsman.

Murphy stroked the Canterbury: intermediate lightweight coxed four to victory in the nationals- only 45min after the same crew (minus t’he coxswain) had competed in the finals of the champion lightweight fours.