ROWING

Dominion, Volume 24, Issue 53, 26 November 1930, Page 17

ROWING

( By

“Cox.”)

DOMINION REGATTA Likely Date Suggested The usual activity of the local rowing clubs at this time of the year has been somewhat curtailed by continued rough weather making bout-work out of the question- The last two Saturdays have been none too favourable, but as soon as the weather clears, the three clubs will make strenuous efforts to dispose of their many fixtures on their racing programmes". It is always desirable to row off as many club races as possible prior to the New Year, after which a long sequence of regattas usually occupies all available Saturdays. Championship Rogu.Ha..

It has been sjlgKegted that the New Zealand championship regatta should take place on the third Saturday In February on Wellington harbour, but the date is still under consideration by the N.Z.A.K.A. Possibly it may be held a week or two earlier so that oarsmen may be given an opportunity to train for the interproviucial eights, which will be held in March at Dunedin. Additional interest will be lent to the championship fours this season on account of the fact that Mr. HaHlburtonJohustone, of Auckland, lias presented to the N.Z.A.R.A. a handsome trophy for presentation to the winners of this classic event of New Zealand rowing. It will be remembered that in addition Mr. Halli-burton-Johnstone presented the handsome clip which is awarded to the successful crew in the luterprovlneial eights contest. Last year’s championships at Plcton were not very well supported. No doubt it was because of the heavy , expense on the part of clubs and local associations which it would be necessary to incur to attend both the championships and the interprovincial eights at Auckland. If a greater period elapsed this year between the date of the championship at Wellington and the eights at Dunedin, there would be more likelihood of greater support of both fixtures from all districts. This is without taking into account the fact that Wellington’s central situation would undoubtedly prove popular for the championships. Question of Centralisation.

With regard to the interprovincial eights, it is very probable that the vexed question of centralisation will bo finally settled this year. For thirty years now the question has been regularly debated, formerly in connection with the New Zealand championship regatta, but latterly with the interprovincial eights. At tlie annual meeting of delegates to the N.Z.A.K.A., it was decided that a; central course be adopted for the interprovincial eights, and that that course should be at Wellington. The council of the N.Z.A.R.A. was instructed to bring down a proposed alteration to the rules to make provision for the change, the ma l' ter to be referred to the next meeting of delegates.

Jottings. Star Club has just taken delivery of two new clinker practice fours from Norton. Theyare two very line craft and will make a valuable addition to the club’s plant.. The special eight-oared boat which was taKcju to Canada by th<? New Zealand crew has been returned to its former resting place- iu the Star Boating Club s sheds. Prior to the Canadian trip the boat had not been out of its case since it was purchased three or four years ago by the New Zealand Amateur Rowing Association. It is a somewhat lighter boat than the twelve purchased at the same time for the use of the six maj'or associations.

Star Boating Club. Bad weather conditions have retarded the progress of the Star Boating Club races in the Star sheds, but the Novice Pairs, and the Junior Fours have been completed. The winning crews were: Duncan (str.), Webb (bow), and Rees (str.), Duncan (3), McLeod, Wright (bow). One heat has been rowed in the Senior Fours, Cooke's crew defeating Kemp's by two lengths. The regatta crews have been announced, and they should all develop into solid combinations. The Senior Fours are combining well. Gray, the stroke, is too slow with the hands, amj -is slouching badly. Mullins and Bell (Nos. 3 and 2) are clipping tlie finish in an endeavour to get the hands away quickly. All are rushing the slide forward, and consequently are not reaching far enough forward when the slides are up and they take the catch. The Senior Pair this season has Fieli) rowing bow to Cooke. Field docs not follow too well yet, and the boat is rolling badly. He is not swinging. b>? body nearly far enough back, and also seems to be shorter forward. He is rushing his elide forward at times, and .also appears to be leaning away from his our at the finish. With diligent training and plenty of boat work, they will certainly be bard to beat in the championship, Comerford and Moffat, the Senior Double, have not been out in the sculler yet. If they intend to start jn the championship thev should get down to serious training Immediately, as they have now only two months in which to get used to the best and best boat, and to get the necessary condition for a hard mile and a half race. The Junior Double, Hinkley and Steward, are swinging along well together, but if thev can smooth their work off, especially at the finish, where both are jerking badly, they* will get more paee. Plimmerton Club.

Tfie opening of the season of the Plimmerton Boating Club will take place on Satarday next at 3 p.m., when a hearty welcome will be extended to »H members aud friends. , ...... Among other events will be a dmghy race for women and another for boys, prizes being given for both events. The racing programme for the season has been arranged as follows:— December 0, race for Mr. Barnes's cup; December 13, race for points for Dallaston shield; December 20, race for .club's cup; December 27, race for points for Dallaston Shield ; January 3, t'uee for Mr. Thompson’s trophy ; January 10, race for Mr. Bryant’S trophy; January 17, race for points for Dallnston shield; January 24. race for Mr. Waddel’s cup (boys under 21); February 7, race for Mr. Bryant’s eup; February 14, race for Dallaston shield; February 21, race for crews for club trophy; February 28, race for Mr. Waddel’s trophy; March 7, race for Mills’s inter-club cup; March 14, race for ladles, club trophy; March 21, -raeo for points for Dallaston shield; March 28, nice for Mr. Vickery’s trophy.