Rowing.

Evening Post, Volume LXXXI, Issue 23, 28 January 1911, Page 20

Rowing.

(By "Scull.") Is William Albany the long-looked for sculler who is to restore England to her former proud position in the sculling world ? - From all accounts this finely-built young fellow, who has rushed I so rapidly to the front, is a performer I of many parts. He is a sturdy customer standing 6ft, and weighing over 14st. Two years ago he won the heavy-weight boxing championship of the Columbia Boxing Club, and last year he came into notice as a sculler, by defeating in a very hollow fashion a clever Henley rower named Arlett. His next match will be with E. Barry, and everyone hero will watch his progress with the keenest -interest. The exertions of rowing prevent all except the hardiest from" remaining at their best for more than a few years. This is attested by the ever-changing personnel of regatta crews, aud championship race holders. Only about a dozen rowers of the local crews of 1906 are rowing for their respective clubs today. The frequent change in the crews is not due, of course, solely to loss of form. The reasons for the retirement of oarsmen from the sport are many. In some 'cases it is rifle shooting, in some marriage, and in others consideration of health. But, despite these reasons, it remains true that retrogression in rowing comes sooner than in most kinds of sport. In many cases, unfortunately, it is prematurely brought on by overwork. It is often called staleness, but repeated attacks of this malady eventually harden into a chronic disorder, whose victim is said to have "gone off." The fact is, most rowers go off much too early. Why, it is quite a common thing to see active oarsmen taking part in four or five club races in one week, besides keeping up their training work with regatta crews. That is a strain which few men would care to subject themselves to. Of course, too much dub-racing is at the root of this overexertiou, and limits must be set even to club contests. If only those who are lesponsible for the multiplication of club races realised the injury they are inflicting upon the sport, as well as upon the rowers, they might make ' some changes. The semi-final heat of the senior double sculls of the Star Boating Club was decided on Tuesday evening, when, by a straight-away dash by Bennett (stroke), H. Lawson (bow), the youthful crew commenced business with a length's advantage over C. E. Bridge (stroke), Wallace (bow), and after this the latter partnership was held at all points! Bennett's crew showed the better sculling, first, last, and all the time. Splendid entries have been received for the Star Club's annual swimming sports, which take place this afternoon. Members are entering in great force, also for the annual swimming sports of the Wellington Bowing Club, which are fixed to take place on 11th February next. Club -races that are down for decision, and that will ocupy the time of the officials of the Star Club next week will be senior double sculls (final heat), junior double sculls, senior sculls, and junior sculls. Members of local regatta crews are again getting in the running, and in two or three days the necessary keeness will have returned. The Wellington plub has been busy putting its "house in order," and there are now strong indications of their making an. earnest effort. The Akaroa Boating Club will be represented at the Christchurch Regatta, which is to be held on the 9th of next month as follows:— Senior Double Sculls: F. Westenra (stroke), B. Henning (bow) ; Junior Ddnble Sculls: L. Haylock (stroke), H. Newton (bowl; Maiden Double Sculls: Clem Walker (stroke), Cyril Walker (bow) ; Youths' Doable Sculls: P. Staples (stroko), H. Hemingway (bow).