ROWING

Evening Post, Volume CXXIV, Issue 111, 6 November 1937, Page 13

ROWING

WANGANUI REGATTA

UNFORTUNATE RESULTS

STAR MEN CUT OUT

(By "Feather.")

One of the most unfortunate results of the decision to hold the championship regatta at Wanganui on Easter Saturday is that Cooke and Mullins (Star) will, be eliminated from competing,in the champion pairs. Mulliris has a business engagement on that day, and his inability to take part in the event will probably mean that he will not be seen in regattas this year, as

the only other pair-oared race would

be at the Wellington regatta (it might even not be held ..there), and 'it would not be wor.th his' while putting in a whole season training for that. There is a distinct possibility thai. Cooke will this season be.seen stroking a senior four. Mullins will not De giving up rowing altogether, as he will be. taking part in the usual club activities, but leaving' regattas alone.

Another result of Wanganui's control of the regatta is that minor crews from' Wellington, Star particularly, will either be' unable .to. compete or will race with substitutes. This is .brought about by. the fact that .members of the University eight row in most of

the'junior crews, and the University eight-oared race is to be held on-Easter Saturday.. Under the circumstances, however, the council, in • giving botn eight-oar and regatta championships

to Wanganui, chose the only ■■ way oui of ■ a difficulty.

As it is, the eights this year will provide an interesting race, but it is not

likely to be a race for which all the crews have trained specially.

This season is going, to . be, a Tori;; and arduous one for those .oarsmen who contemplate rowing- at New Year's Day regattas and at Wellington later on; Wanganui should consider- themselves fortuhate in being, privileged to , stage the two .rowing classics in. one wpekend," although six long months of rowing/is going to try out the endurance of even the most hardy of the rowing fraternity. At Petone. Although conditions were .very boisterous and altogether unsuitable for rowing, the Petone Club'last week managed to row off a series of races for the Saunders Plate trial fours. All crews were fairly ~•■ evenly balanced, 'and the conditions certainly tested the skill of the oarsmen, the heavy offshore wind making it extremely difficult to keep the .boat on an, ...even keel. Three crews faced the starter for the first heat, and after leading all the way, Abbott (str.), Tegg, Wells, and Hobbs won comfortably ,■ by one and a half lengths. In the second heat Clayton, J. Boswell, H. Barraclough, and F. Barry won by a length, although until Ken. Boswell's No. 2 man caught., a succession of crabs .his cre,w was well up and would have been hard to beat. The final saw Abbott's crew beat Clayton's by two lengths. After getting away to a good start, both crews fought the issue out until a quarter of a mile from home, when Abbott's boys,gradually drew away.

All Plant in Use.

"Westerly winds still chopped the water up at Petone on' Sunday, but nearly all the club's plant was in use. The senior four had a short spin over three-quarters of a mile in a clinker boat, and drove the boat through the heavy wind with" plenty >of 'power behind the strokes.'

Last yearns junior four, including D; Boswell, G.'Leopard, and Carter,'with R.- Sharon in the bow, look to be going quite well,'and if as a crew would no doubt hold its'own in', open company, especially with a little coaching. D. Boswell seems to be much more" at home'in the number two1 seat, and no doubt he Will appreciate a spell from the stroke's position.

Opportunities for Novices.

Ifc appears that a splendid opportunity will be provided for novices in the Star Club this year because of the departure of so many of their regatta men to join the Royal Air Force. There are many vacancies .in .the crews,: and

it is on the cards that novices will be included in both youths' and maiden fours.

Rowing and Health.

Rowing, more so than any other sport, has "been criticised for its adverse effects on health, particularly on the heart., .Admittedly, if a man rows a hard race without training, he is liable to injure himself, but competitors in races of any.impbrtan'ce'train for months for the event. A'regular strenuous programme is usually followed with the result that the • oarsman steps into the boat'in the pink of condition! The sport exercises: "the arms, the legs, the 'back, and" stomach muscles, measuring up to the opinion of'J. E. Lovelock that for a sport to be good it must exercise all muscles.

Must Pull His Weight.

I The sport of- rowing -also calls for more! teamwork than most sports, not only in the 'brat, but out ;ofthe^ boat as well. The united crew will" win more races than one which is divided j in itself. Every man must pull ' his weight;.there'is:no'place for a slacker in the-boat. The highest degree of stamina and physical fitness is. ■, required. ■■■' When one watches a big race, say an eight, for which men have been preparing for months in advance,- it is difficult to remember that each man has taken perhaps years .to:perfect the apparently ' effortless stroke,: and yet every ounce goes into each stroke.