ROWING

Evening Star, Issue 21583, 1 December 1933, Page 6

ROWING

[By Coxswain.]

CRITICISM IN " POOR TASTE " MARLBOROUGH’S DEFAMATIOH REFUTED

Statements made by “ Coxswain ” recently regarding Marlborough’s greedy attitude in applying for the interprovincial eights each year and also the Picton course are answered in this strain by “ Spectator,” in the ‘ Marlborough Express ’“ Marlborough’s application was not duo to greed, but to expediency—it was necessary to demonstrate against Wellington’s centralisation ‘ grab.’ However, Marlborough will and can run the event whenever it can secure it. In any case, it is absurd to criticise associations for applying, otherwise there many come a day when no one applies. What then? But, speaking of courses, the southern writer is barking up the wrong tree when ho talks about Picton getting a bad advertisement in, 19111. There was nothing wrong with the course, and the race was rowed to schedule under quite reasonable condition. What caused the talk about Pieton was the fuss a certain Otago official kicked up on his return home oyer some paltry side issues. As a rowing course Picton still stands pre-eminent in New Zealand, and in the half-ccn-tnry or more of rowing history with which it is invested there is no record of a race having to bo postponed, except for an hour or so. However, it is not forgotten that when the Marlborough eight visited Dunedin it could not get out to train for several days before the big race, although there was a flat calm for the event itself. Marlborough can thank Otago for no recent gestures of friendship, and this latest bit of ‘ hate ’ toward the smallest, but most active, association in the dominion is in poor taste. Otago is still moaning about the expense and difficulty that attended sending a crew to Picton. Since there is a direct boat for shipping their skiff, Picton is not as difficult and expensive to reach as Auckland, surely. Otago has certainly supported the eights well, but it lias had such a run of success as to encourage it to keep going. Marlborough, on tho other hand, has scratched up the wherewithal to attend every race so far, and has had to he content with minor places, yet it has never complained. 1 Spectator ’ concedes that Otago should have had the eights this year.” If Marlborough disapproves of centralisation (which is a good point in I that association’s favour), why did its delegates vote for Wellington's application in the second ballot? In the first vote Marlborough supported us; yet when it came to a showdown its decision apparently became unstable. Marlborough may secure the race a year or two hence, though its capabilities for holding it are, from all accounts, not all that they should be. Yet when all is said and done, the controlling of an eight-oar contest should be no more difficult than a championship regatta, many of which Marlborough has had. “Spectator’s” remark about criticising associations is absurd. Why should associations not be criticised ? Equally amusing is the statement: “ There mav come a day when no one applies. What then?” When that day arrives we shall see. Judging by tho verv apparent increase in the popularity of eight-oar rowing, “ Coxswain ” does not consider that that day will come for a long, long time. Not, at any rate, as long as there is a Marlborough Bowing Association. The Picton course in 1931 was rough. But that was not all. The Otago crew was all but swamped at one stage, when it struck the wash of a steamer — and that was not a “ paltry side issue kicked up bv a certain Otago official.” Members of the crew told that story. “ Coxswain ” recalls having recently seen this comment on the Picton course in the ‘Wanganui Herald’: —“Conditions there arc generally far superior to Wellington, hut are by no means perfect. Even if the day is fine a nast.v jobble generally develops after mid-dav, and makes matters rather uncomfortable for oarsmen.” More recently still, the Auckland ‘Herald said; “It is generally conceded that Picton is a fine ‘ course. . . Nevertheless, it can bo exceedingly

rough at times. It is reported that a senior championship sculler actually became seasick before a race on one occasion.”

No one would argue against the uncertainties of our own course. Marlborough might have been unlucky in being able to do no training when it visited us in 1931. Only the water conditions stopped it. But a rather distasteful attitude adopted by the M.R.A. prevented the Otago crew from training at Picton in 1932. Remember that Otago’s oarsmen were refused the use of a boat? Would any harm have come to a boat handled by champions? “ Spectator " appears to be well qualified to write on Otago’s finance. “ Coxswain confesses that he is not. Therefore, wo shall refer this matter to the O.R.A. treasurer. At the same time we should thank the northern critic for his support of the claim that Otago should have had the eights. Defending Wanganui’s Course.

Apparently “ Coxswain ” also earned the wrath of “ Taniwha ” in the ‘ Wanganui Chronicle,’ when he propounded likely factors against the allocation of the eights to Wanganui, stating that the course was a big deterrent. The Wanganui scribe replies: “ One is glad to hear the reason why it is considered the race should not come to Wanganui. and, at the .same time, have the opportunity of refuting any such idea. Last ypar, at the championship regatta, no fewer than fourteen crows were sent away in one race. The average number of crews in the interprovincial race is six or seven—eight at the outside if Southland competed. This seems to point to the fact that heats would be unnecessary on the Wanganui River. Admittedly, the course on which the interprovineia! race would be rowed would bo higher up the river on a dead straight course, but the Wanganui Association had the assurance at its second meeting this season that eight crews could be accommodated quite comfortably. If the upper course were not used, then the long stretch below the town bridge, the lower course, could accommodate twenty crews with a good straight finish of two miles.” Not a few Otagoites were under the impression that the course to be used would be the same as that on which the championships were decided. It was felt that the bend would probably be difficult to negotiate in eights, which, it must be remembered, are 61ft long. Provided that the straight course extends for three miles, there can surely be nothing against Wanganui's having the race, so that its turn should come next. More Activity at Port,

Activity at the Port Club lias increased during the past fortnight. Regatta crews have been flicked. and novices are showing good form. The No. 2 youths’ four (U. Allcock, W. Kearney, J. Wheeler, and Fullerton) is showing signs of developing into a good crew, with proper coaching and training. All oarsmen should remember that land trbining is as essential as boat work. The seniors (J. Solomon, H. Pritchard, C. Crammond, and G. Thorn) have settled down to good work, and are to be seen out early every evening. The crew is a good mixture of experience and youth, and should he a hard nut to crack, if one is to go on the form already .shown. The No. ] maiden lour (R. Crammond, J. Potter, N. Rao, and T. Anderson) is a strong combination, and trains steadily. Potter is very fit, but should not absent himself during week-ends. The No. 2 maiden four lias not yet started, but should soon be in harness, if it would only get together more often the junior four (G. Mitchell, J. Abernethy, W. Erridge, and B. O’Brien) would be a good crew. The No. 1 youths’ four (R. Hill, N. Smith, B. Anderson, and L. Percy) should also get out more frequently. North End Seniors Starting. After all, a senior crow from North End will race at Macandrew Bay. Its personnel will bo ’‘Snowy” Jiggers. J. Harrell, A. Hogan, and “ Tiny ” Eggers. Shooting the slide is a common fault in the youths’ and junior crews. Members should remember that this lessens driving power. Stroke ot the youths’ crew and No. 2 should watch their timing. They are inclined to get in too soon. The whole crew should do more floor work, and should concentrate on getting the hands away. No. 3 in the junior four should pull higher at the finish, and pull right through. Bow rolls off his onr. He should turn his oar over more at the catch and Hold his hands further apart. No, 2 rows with bent arms. A quicker hand action is also required in this crew. The committee lours will he rowed tomorrow afternoon, starting at 2 o'clock. Clubhouse Chatter, Delegates reported to Wednesday’s meeting of the O.R.A. that the Drive, Port, and North End Clubs would support the association if any of their members were called upon to represent the province in the eight-oar contest at Wellington on Easter Saturday. The Otago Club is opposed to the idea. It admits that it would sooner support the Queenstown regatta, which eaters for the majority. Youth crews from the Otago Club for forthcoming regattas: No. I—Jacobs (stroke), W. Davidson, Fairhairn, and Skene; No. 2—Clyde, Reeves, Anderson, and Goodwin.' Challenge races will probably bo rowed during the week-end. Last week the New Zealand Council decided to ascertain from provincial associations if they are agreeable to taking the money from the fixed deposit fund (started for the purpose of purchasing eights for associations) to provide a boat for the East Coast Association. If they are the boat will be purchased. Otago and Wanganui have already supported the application. Auckland also applied for another boat. In this case it was suggested that the Auckland Association might feel disposed to apply to the Internal Affairs Department for a giant from a big art union for the purpose mentioned. If this were done the council would give every assistance. Next week Macandrew Bay will pick crews. There are seven members available for the youth class. Most members have been out training during the week.

Mr G. D. Gray (deputy captain ot the Star Club) has been .appointee] sole selector and coach of the Wellington eight. All Drive’s crews are hard at it, training at every opportunity. Mr G. Lanchlaii (Wanganui') has been re-elected chairman of the council for the ensuing year. Port Club is working hard in the interests of the Regatta Committee, and intends to put up a big tight to place its queen (the tive-ycnr-old daughter of

the club secretary, Laura Neilson) at the top of the poll. Lady supporters of the club are, giving much assistance. Mr Alf. Gray president of the Wanganui Association for the past three years, is seriously ill. Otago rowing men hope that ho will make a speedy recovery.