ROWING

Evening Post, Volume CXII, Issue 124, 21 November 1931, Page 20

ROWING

By "stuoke" EIGHT-OAR ROWING

OLYMPIC GAMES IN VIEW

LONG AND SHORT COURSES

In view of the Olympic Games being held at Los Angeles shortly after the conclusion of this rowing season, more interest will no doubt be taken in this year's interprovincial championship eights' race. The eights have now become well established, and by tho time this season ends the race will have been held in nearly all the important rowing centres. The locality for this season's race, Picton, is a happy choice. From its central position alone, the allocation should be popular, and, in addition, Picton provides adequate facilities for a regatta.

With the possibility of a New Zealand crew making a (rip abroad it is desirable that entries for the race should be thoroughly representative. Already the indications are that Dunedin, Christchurch, Marlborough, and Wellington will be there, and, from all accounts, it is evident that Wanganui oarsmen are also contemplating being represented. Otago oarsmen are very strong supporters of eight-oar racing, and they are quite open in their opinion that this season the eights will receive, first consideration. There is much in their argument that Hamilton, the locality for the championship regatta, presents problems of transport, and as they are the holders of the eights' championship, it is only to be expected that they will give more attention to that race. Before another season has passed another province should be represented in the eights, the New Zealand Council having decided that Southland should have a boat. It is to be hoped that all the major associations will be represented at the eights' race, and that this season the event will be in name and in fact a New Zealand championship.

If a crew is to go to the Olympic Games the, time is not too early for the authorities to be considering this matter. No doubt the selectors will be guided very largely on the form shown at the eights' championship, and if that is so, there is an onus on clubs to see that the best material from their locality is in the boat. The somewhat early date for this season's championship regatta has one good effect: it will mean that there will be more time between the championships and the eights in which crews will be enabled to work up a combination. "With the date of the championships now settled it should not be long before the Marlborough Association selects a suitable date for the eights. Once that is settled clubs can go ahead with their programmes.

The New Zealand Rowing Association recently expressed the opinion that in view of the excellent showing made at Hamilton, Canada, last year by New Zealand's representatives, the council felt that if a team of oarsmen were sent to Los Angeles they should have an excellent chance of being successful.

Apropos of the possible overseas trip, the matter of tho length of rowing courses for eight 3 might well be considered. In New Zealand the eights' race is over a course of usually about two and a-half miles, while the Olympic course is about a mile and a quarter. The effect of: men rowing for a considerable period over a long course, and then changing suddenly to a short one, is a factor that might well be given consideration. In their trip to Sydney a few years ago a New Zealand eight demonstrated its prowess over long and the short courses. Although it was successful then, the fact must be taken into consideration that at an Olympic contest the competition will be greater.

There can be no doubt that a rowing crew has more chance of success overseas than the representatives of any other sporting body in the Dominion, so that the special effort (we have no doubt that it will be made by the rowing authorities) to raise the required amount —something like £.1000 —should receive every support (states a writer in the Dunedin "Star"). The honour brought to us by past crews away from home should be sufficient inducement to everj'one to open his purse and offer a donation, no matter how small, when he is approached.

No decision was made by the N.Z.A.B.A. to send a crew, but when the time draws near for a definite step it is to be hoped the parent body will see its way clear to have New Zealand represented. Oarsmen should live in hopes, never forgetting that if selection is necessary it will be made on the year's form. It should be an encouragement to clubs to compete in as many regattas as possible, whilst no province should miss representation in the eights.

Wanganui Crews,

Though no definite statement has been made as'yet, it can be safely said that it is extremely doubtful if Wanganui will be represented in the champion fours this year, states "Pilot" in the "Herald." Union, who have a very impressive record in this event, are almost certain non-starters, and unless Aramoho decide to send up a crew, the river city will not have a boat to carry their colours. Crews who have visited Hamilton have a strong prejudice against the course, the swift current and slack water near the finish of the races being greatly against and in favour of, as the case may be, the crews who have drawn certain positions. The Hamilton delegates stated that since the course has been buoyed, all crews have an equal chance, but (his is scouted by many oarsmen who have rowed on the river there, and who are quite definite that it is a most unfair course and quite unsuitable for a championship regatta.

Even if Wanganui is not represented at Hamilton, the fact should not be lost sight of that the interprovincial eight-oar championship is to be rowed at Picton, and the local association should make an early start and see that a crew from this city is sent over. It is well to remember that this race will have a big bearing on the selection of a cr*v to represent New Zealand at tho Olympic Games at Los Angeles next 3rear, and if local oarsmen are to have a chance to earn a place in this boat it is imperative that the ball be set rolling at once.

There is some likelihood of an aquatic display being held on Lake "Waihola during the present season (remarks a Dunedin paper). Should the project materialise, it will, no doubt, be welcomed by oarsmen, as it ia understood that the programme will include rowing events. Good donations will possibly be offered, and, apart from the outing and the certain amount of novelty attaching to the holding of such an event at Waihola, some fair sport should result.