Rowing under lights proposed

Press, 20 May 1987, Page 45

Rowing under lights proposed

By TIM DUNBAR Rowing under lights at Kerrs Reach has been proposed in a move to make the sport more attractive in Canterbury. A Canterbury Rowing Association administrator, Mr James Sheehan, has suggested that floodlights be set up to illuminate the last 5Mm of the Kerrs Reach course. / Mr Sheehan’s proposal was approved in principle at a recent meeting of the C.R.A. and it has now gone back to the clubs for discussion. Mr Sheehan said that if the clubs ' supported the scheme evening rowing could be under way by the start of next season. He told the C.R.A. that it would attract more numbers

to the sport; offer semiregular racing through the winter, entice back inactive rowers, and allow rowers to vary their training with “fun” racing. Mr Sheehan said that three power poles could be erected along the Locksley Avenue side of Kerrs Reach. One could be at the 5Mm mark facing slightly towards Christ’s College sheds so it would not unduly affect the houses on Avonside Drive, another about 254 m out with lights pointing up and down the stretch of water, and the third pole near the finish. The poles would cost about $1304 each. Mr Sheehan will get an estimate for the lights. Mr Sheehan is not expecting a stream of objections from residents. Noise would

not be a problem with no public address system to be used and there was no intention for regattas to go on until midnight. Once the lights had been installed Mr Sheehan’s plan would be for clubs to nominate crews for weekly sprint regattas. Squads of eight, which must remain unaltered, could be picked and progressively race off in eightoared.boats, fours, pairs and, finally single sculls. Half the crews would be eliminated in each round. The final competition between single scullers would find the best individual “iron man” or “iron woman” in the area. Mr Sheehan said that the event could either be run mid-week after normal

training or on a Sunday evening with a “fun barbecue social-type affair.” The three river clubs — Avon, Canterbury and Union — together with Cure could take turns as hosts. “I believe it would attract good spectator interest, be enjoyed by the competitors and a viable commercial series plus the lights would be of immense benefit in assisting with mini-coaching schools for novices and juniors,” Mr Sheehan said. In the long term, Mr Sheehan suggested, the whole of the Lake Ruataniwha course at Twlzel could be illuminated. Meanwhile the C.R.A. has announced that the Kerrs Reach Pennant series will be sponsored next season by David Craw Mitsubishi.