Rowing. (By "Scull.")

Evening Post, Volume LXXV, Issue 45, 22 February 1908, Page 14

Row ing. (By "Scull.")

At la'it we aro on the eve of the decision of the great boat raco. Both Webb and Tresiildor aro in the pink of condition. Webb h credited with being (he more polished sculler; Tresidder in very powerful, but less classical. The Australian will find his task a stiff ono. From btart to finish the raco promises to be a genuinely tough encounter, keenly and honestly fought. There will bo no advantages on the run of tho course; wind and rain (if any) will treat both scullers alike, as also will tho sud. Neither will acknowledge defeat until if has actually come, and tho sturdy sculler who can calmly suffer momentary discomfiture whilst his rival is enjoying a lead, will be. the ono more likely to win. When the points of sculling are- about equal, perseverance plays an all-important part. Several prominent rowers of the throe local clubs have arranged to go in small parties to the *>cene of action. Owing to the scarcity of accommodation at VYanganui, arrangements aro being made to tako tents. . The closing in of the date for the Wellington Regatta (29th inst.) is accountable for some vigorous training on tho part of tho Star, Wellington, nnd Petone regatta crews: The first-named senior double scullers havo boon more energetic in. their work than formerly, but a certain unsteadiness in tho running of their craft reveals a weakness which must be remedied. Tho wobble takes place at tho catch, which appears to be due to a looseness of posture in the stroke 6eat. There must be rigidity of the arms, legs, und body right through the swing forward, until the water ia caught for the 6troke. With, this fault entirely rectified the partnership (Bridge and Oswin) should make it hot for their opponents. The Wellington representatives, Gaudin ami M'Kinley, have como on wonderfuliy well during the last few weeks, and they scull with but few mistakes. Stroke was not showing the fire and dash exhibited by bow when I saw them out during the week, nor was bow sitting up to his work with the straight arms characteristic of stroke. The swing and general management gives the boat plonty of pace during and between the strokes. Nest Saturday should find these two crows in hot pursuit of the race, for which they have been so carefully training. Picton is sending- the following crew to represent it in the Junior Fours: — D. Perans (stroke), F. Garrick (3), F. Burns (2) D. Godfrey (bow). This crow has been strengthened since Picton regatta by the inclusion of Burns and Godfrey in place of E. Carter and J. Godfrey. Blenheim— G. Griffiths (stroke), Mutton (3). F. Mogridge, (2), and R Dunkley (bow). The oniy alteration in this orew since tho Picton _ regatta is the introduction of Mutton in place of Heft'er, who now rows 3 in the senior fours. The senior four crew for Wellington is J,. Jordan (stroke), T. B. Heffer (3), A. Thompson (2), and C. Costello (bow). The Wellington Club's youths' fours are a wiry lot, and their rowing on Wednesday evening was indicative of some very good work. Nos. 2 and 3 would show better results if they straightened themselves up, and handled tho oars with btraighter and more rigid arms. There is a strong tendency, when, bustled for a sprint, to rush tho "coming 'forward." The crew must watch this. Do all the rushing with tho blade, but don't let it interfere with a slow swing forward. Another change has taken place in the Star Beating Club's 1 regatta maiden double % ocullars., Little (stroke) has given placo to Barron. With two weeks' training and many rough corner* to rub oft", I will be very much surprised to see thorn win next Saturday. Thore is crispness and. effort in their boat, but the combination is none too good. It will take the stroke more than a week to cultivate shallow rowing and bow equally as long to properly command his slide, which shoots away too quickly at tho catch. In . the senior fours there is scarcely any improvement over last week's form. Bow should rid himself of that hump, which is very conspicuous; 3 is losing all the usefulness of a sliding seat, and, like bow, should straighten himself up, whon tho body swing and combination would be more perfect. Finishing up a mile and a half spin on Wednesday, stroke -was rowing very short and was not getting his body well forward to the sliding chocks. But nftor a spell, / Bayfield rj.vo.l much better. - „' ~Ov-u;g to Baker's suddon transfer -to* Lyttelton, the Wellington Club has ha<l to make a new appointment to their' mnidon crew, and the team now reads aa follows i— Jackson (stroke), Charman (3)t Hulbert (2), and Furness (stroke). Time will not permit of their gathering the necessary combination to win on tho 29th, but let us hope ttioy will hold together anc make amends at Nttpioi. Club races fixea fo: .iext .veok are: — Star Club senior and junior pairs; and Wellington Club junior pairs.