ROWING.

Evening Star, Issue 13099, 4 November 1908, Page 2

ROWING.

A lively interest in rowing is evident at the Port shed just now The members are training haul, and all indications point to a successful season. Rivalry is keen as to whose namoi shall be the first to be engraved on the Stevenson challenge cup, and consequently no difficulty is being experienced in getting the chib races' off Mr Platts has donated four gold medals for the winners. The fivet heat on Friday evening was an evenly-contested race under favorable conditions, and Glengarry's fined epurt, though calculated with the accuracy of an old campaigner, onlv got him home by a canv is length. The second heat between J. Clark and W. Smith on Saturday resulted in a win for the former by another narrow margin. Gerald Lightbourne, ex-champion, is noticeable amongst bis clubmatci; again, after an absence of three years. His presence should strengthen the clubs- prospects in the senior fours on Rosing Day. if things keep going as thoy are at present, there is a prospect of some competition for a place in the senior foum. Light senior oarsmen are prepared to enhance their previous records in four-oar events. The Perl Club, by the way. are veiy decidedly of opinion that the kiisif raeeo should he rowed in clinkers, in which care (he club would enter two lours and two pairs. Probably other club-, aie of the same opinion. The <enior pairs and double ecu lie, could hardly be surd to he very interesting races last year, as apart the poor entries the races did not provide foo good finishes. Probably the 1 public would prefer more staitere in" these i events, and a reversion to clinkers seems I to be id-e only way ro accomplish it. The | ilubis teem justified in hesitating to risk their “best and best” boats amongst the beet of sailing And other small craft that take poei?es>iou of'the course on Boxing Day. Looking at it all round, and taking into consideration tlw fact that the spectators see practically only the finish of'the races, an increase of entries by reverting to clinkers would probably be" a piopular ; departure. I he Queen’s Drive have evidently switched on to the through’ current' this season, Noting members, not satisfied with the amount of practice available of an evening, have been supplementing it with eatlv morning exercise. 'Hie indications arm as healthy as the exercise. The Committee have posted up twelve four-oared crows lor the .president's cup races. Following these come the double sculls and pair-oared race*, finishing with a. half-mile toad race. The competitor scoring the highest number of points in the scries becomes the owner of the cup.'but there‘are also prizes for the winners of each event, including .Mr G. B. Bullock's; trophy, .for the double sculls. The races will probably not commence until the first of next week. The preliminary meeting on Friday evening to arrange for the Boxing Day regatta assumed a business-like air gt the start, so it was only in the ■ nature of ih.ings that a paid secretary should fee-de-cided on. The chairman's announcement .that workers only were eligible for nomination to the working committee was another practical touch. One or two old hands of proved merit were admitted, although they , confessed their probable ab.once on regatta day, hut other regatta-day absentees wore rigidly excluded from the circle of industry. The credit balance of £7l brought over from last year will probably tempt oarsmen to suggest that a more substantial prize than £l2 for the - onior fours would see more conqxuitora—perhaps a few visitors from the North. The following are the heats drawn for the O.R.C'. Walter Fours on Thursday night, the sth lust;— Baton, Whittaker, and Hutton at 5 p.m. ; Sandes, Dodgshun, and Kerr at 6 p.m. The final will probably ho rowed off either, Friday evening or Saturday afternoon, weather permitting. The cold weather has been' a good test on the keenness of the crown practising for the above event, lire wind has been , invariably from the smith, which has allowed the water to be fairly' calm. Dodgshnn’s crew has been the most consistent, and consequently should have a good chance. They have been getting in some splendid spins regularly. His 3 is rowing very good form, 2 is inclined to be slow in the catch. Sander,’s have also had some good practices, and are going particularly well. Two. perhaps, may sit up better and hold his slide. Bow is a trifle too eager at times in anticipating his stroke. These two are the only intact crews originally selected. Indisposition and other causes have been rife amongst the other crews, the strokes of which have had a busy time drumming in recruits to fill the vacancies. Baton’s four is changed considerably with two new men, Fish going in as stroke and Fairbairn as 2. They have had a couple of spins, with satisfactory results. Hutton has had to impress a now bow, and has been fortunate in securing Taylor. His 5 swings out of the boat at times. Two has the makings of a good oar with coaching. He may, perhaps, hold his slide better. Whittaker has been unfortunate with his training, only being out three times. Three is rowing good form, with the exception of a tendency of not swinging straight. Two should endeavor to sit up straight and hollow his back. Bow knifes with his blade at times. Kerr has a strong crew, and with judgment should not be far out. ... 'Dodgshun or fiandes should perhaps be the winner, though the occasional “dark horse” mav canter in in the finish. The entries for the Matheson Fours for novices have been disappointing, consequently the Selection Committee have decided to row the race off in pair-oar tubs. They are being looked after by the captain and deputy-. Coxswains and strokes should be careful where they take the boats about the south end of the harbor. A member scientifically steered his novice crew on to a stake, to the. detriment of his boat and to the dignity of himself. A senior crew have also been noticed disporting themselves in Anderson Bay where the place is alive with snags. Last season the club had a difficulty in furnishing the regatta crews with decent oars. This is now remedied. A consignment of Girder and first class oars have arrived from Ayling, and Cons, London. .Selected regatta crews can consider themselves fortunate in being provided with the beat. Regatta crews are to be selected next week, and there should be seine good crews. It is the intention of the powers that be to endeavor to put two crews in each event. This may be feasible with the exception of the youths’ fours. A presentation in the form of a handsome case of five pipes, suitably engraved, has been posted to Mr N. Falla, Lyttelton, late captain of the club, by the members of 0.R.C., as a slight token of esteem. The secretary of the O.R.C. has to acknowledge with thanks an invitation for the official opening of the Otago Yacht and Motor Boat Club. The past week has been more favorable than the preceding one for training, and consequently D.A.B.CVs crew’s have been going out more consistently, and are beginning to show some combination. Dowlanu’s crew is £ohi£ well. Hia No. 3,

■ ■ ■■ •f. v* - - however, should get his shoulders more behind his slide. Mahoney seta hi® men a brisk stroke, and they seem to swing on ■to. it well together. Rapson’s crew'" are still - consistent* and generally first out for a spin. Stroke and No. 3 are inclined to be a bit short,' and No. 2 tries to do too much. Ho should try to row style 'first, and got on the weight later on. Parker’s crew row well at times, bat bury'too much i of their blades. No. 3 should watch the | stroke more closely, get a quicker catch with his shoulders, and get his hands away more smartly at the finish. Bow should take his stroke through with his shoulders, and avoid throwing water. ■ Slight has now got_ his whole crew together, and Jigs .been giving them a fair amount of work. ■ His bow should use his-straps more, and sit up better; he rolls. Chapman’s crew has undergone some changes, and cannot be sized up as now constituted! A crew from the D.A.B.'s shed went down to Pert Chalmers last Sunday, expecting a pleasant' row up,’ but had" both wind-and current to pull against.-- They found; it necessary to empty the boat Iv few times on the journey, and finished up more wet and weary than they had anticipated. -' ■