In the Boats

Evening Post, Volume CIV, Issue 150, 22 December 1922, Page 23

In the Boats

REGATTA. CREWS

BUSY TIME AHEAD.

COMING EVENTS.

Petqne Rowing Club (Junior and Novice Pairs),

in progress. Wellington Bowing Club (Wareham Fours),

in progress. Star Boating Club (Junior Single Sculls), 20th

January. ' December 2(MLyttc!ton Regatta, at Lyttelton. January I—New Zealand Championship EcRatta, at Bllill. January I—Picton Regatta, at,Picton. January i-r-Akaroa Regatta, Akaron. Harboilr. January 27—Fif'st Molihes BlUeld Regatta.

(By "Stroke.")

.The Star Clitb will be represented at picton Regatta by tho following crews: —Junior. Fours : W. M'Gowan (str), F. Oborn (3), P. Hereford (2), JI. Carroll (bow)._ Junior Pairs: \V. M'Gowan (str), i('. Obovn (bow). Maiden from': Johns (sir)* Fenton (3), Herd (2), Bentley (bow). Maiden, Pairs:, Johns fatf), He'i'd (bow). Lightweight; Maiden Fours: W. Harris (str), N. Wakelin (3), Barraclodgh (2), Billing . (bow). Maiden Double ScUlls: Davis, (stf), Msiris (b&w). /

The junior crew has had a fair amount of training, anfl during the past few days has oliown a decided improvement ; but, compared with list year's junior ctew; it falls a lorig way short. "2" wid "botv" have not yet mastered a good swing, and their blade work looks' finish.' There io plenty of pace in tKe boat, however ( arid the crew should be we'll up at the finish. lii the. junior pairs, .the club has two splendid oarsuie'n. They afe rather oil th& light side for pair car WbrK. i The maideii fours is rather rough at present. Johns,' the stroke'; is a new man to regatta work, but ..he is shapilig well considering that he has had very little coaching. The blade work of ths whole crew io crude, and will require a lot i>{ touching up.; otherwise in the ?ace they will go to pieces. More attention mUs» also tie paifl to the swirig. This should Easily be righted,' as the wholes crs* is a willing ldt, and intends'putting in a week's training at Picton. The Maiden Pair's crew has not yet definitely ljesri decided upon, but. johiis aud Herd are ths likely starters. 'Both are' heavy men, and they should do wfell with a little training.* The only trouble ,jvill be for the bow' to get accustomed io .the opposite side, as.he has always rowed in the "2" seat. Ths lightweight drew has not had much time to. train. Considering the weight of.the crew* it is surprising the amoiini of pace that is got out of the boat. The whole crew lacks the finish that \is expedf-ed of-, regatta men, and unless more attention is paid to the finer points, the chances of a place are slight. The maiden 'scullers are really an experiment* So far, they have only beeh sesn together in a club race. Davis is th& hardest Worker in the shed, but his sculling is rough through want of coaching. Ho relifes on his .sirengtn alone. Morris, though on the light- side, is a very good scalier, and after a few apins should bo able to'get his stroke, into better, trim. .. . Bowing is fast getting bacx to its pre-war standard, and the .outstanding evento of the season—the Interproviricial Fours, the Firms' Baoa, aiid the formation of a new rowing club at Lytteltn—furnish O ample evidence of the increased interest in the. sport (says the f'Christehurch xPress," reviewing the past season). There is no doubt the past season was one of the busiest and most successful experienced in rowing for many years past. Generous programmes wei*6 provided for the respective regattas, and clubs,- in fa6t, had ' busy time keeping pace will fixtures. . A number of local crews competed with considerable success at tho Wellington Championship Regattas. Competition was very keen for the D.CiL. Cup, the fine trophy for annual competition, arid held by the club gaining most points at regattas held in Canterbury. This was agaih won by the Avon Rowing Club. - The increased ' membership of clubs, and the formation of a new rowing club at Lytte'lton,' are encouraging indications. Competition at regattas has been very keen, entries being well up to the average. Another season or two 1, however, should see the ranks of senioroarsmen again -filled, whe^ there will no doubt be greater competition for charrtpionship honour's. It takes' several years for an oarsman to reach this class* and the form shown in the junior and lower classes is distinctly ■encouraging, and augurs well for the. future../ The Canterbury Bowing Association is now the largest association in New Zealand, comprising eight clubs—Avon/ Canterbury, tFnibn, Snmner, Cure, Ak^roa, TimarU, aiid Lyttelton —.with a total membership of about 1100. The.past'season, ih fact, established a record in tile numbers participating in the sport, and there aro many indications that it is becoming more popular. The Auckland Rowing Association, although having a large-' •number.of clubs affiliated (twelve), only has a membership of about 900. Canterbury, .-it) ..credited with having, the highj est standard.of rowing in New Zealand, aiid there is no doubt that local crews, when they compete at other regattas, generally compare Very favourably with crews. from 'any other part oi New Zealand. Although the Avon may be referred to scornfully by residents.of other cities, it has tfte> great advantage, from a rowing point of view, in that it affords every facility for the coaching of crews, jfliio is probably the main reason for thp high standard attained, as very few places have- similar facilities. . The Wellington Rowing Club has decided to hold an old members' day early in the new year, with a view to reviving the interest of old members in the club. The secretary, making an appeal for support, says that there are, no doubt; 6, large number of one-time members, who for various reasons have become disassociated with the club, but who hold fond memories of their rowing days, who would like to take ah interest iin their old club again. It is folt that an Old Members' Day would provide an opportunity for old members to visit the shed to refresh their memories from photographs od the walls and enjoy a talk over old times. Several of the older members, including Messrs. W. Simm, 6. Lauchlan, J. Bridson, T. Ra-pley, F. .B. Young ,and F; Evans, whose names are probably* familiar to you, have assured the club of their support. Mr. Simm and Mr. Lauchlan were present at a. meeting held last week, and it was decided to invite all old members, to a further meeting to be held at the aheds on Monday.

A word; to strokes.■—lt sliould bo rscogniicd by strokes, v,-ho Sirs captainsof cror.'S, that it is their duty to get tho crew vogajhsr, generally,, they wo fcßponsibk' i'Or tho conditiop of their crew. A- oirokn choulr! midorßtsnd and knovr i;; 3 men thoroughly; be F.blfl to recognise thjj li:r.it to which he con work i.iicr.i v/iinoat dotriniont io their pnysica! ■corjiitici'.. s.::d t;-,!:e control of ail ir.aiiera i.! cc-nne'jtio:i wjth tha crs'.v.