ROWING

Evening Star, Issue 22575, 17 February 1937, Page 4

ROWING

IHTERPROVINCIAL EIGHTS OTAGO LOSES EDMOND SHIELD [By Coxswain.] It was unfortunate that rough weather prevailed over the week-end, causing the cancellation of the Port Chalmers regatta and a number of rowing events. There was no excuse, however, for the interprovincial eightoared race starting so late the following day. If the two crews had been on the mark at the scheduled time (10.30 a.m.), they would have rowed in better water and under more satisfactory conditions. As it was, the race did not start until 11.25, when both crews were hampered by the choppy sea. Before the race started, the crews were given the opportunity of emptying out, and although Southland availed itself of the offer, Otago did not. Both crews got away to a good start, with Otago taking the lead, and at the mile was two lengths ahead. However, three heavy seas slowed the boat down considerably, and Southland gained with every stroke. Vallis ordered his men out at this stage, and it was noticeable that when the boat stopped it began to sink in the water. The craft was emptied in remarkably fast time, and the dark blue crew performed its best piece of rowing in attempting to reduce the 300yds lead. Southland was feeling the effects of water in its boat, and took things easy, winning by 100yds in the poor time of ISmin 24sec. From the wharves it appeared that the Otago crew was rowing well, although the stroke seemed to be faster than Vallis usually sets.. The visitors’ form was not impressive, especially the work of the men in the bow seats. _ In view of the amount of training that had been indulged in by the various dubs for other events that were to have been held at the regatta, the eights suffered considerably, and it is too much to expect oarsmen to obtain that necessary combination after only one row together. (Southland was out eight times.) The Otago stroke and bow did not seem to be happy during the first part of the race, although both settled down later. AUCKLAND EIGHTS REGATTA Officials of the Auckland Rowing Association are more than pleased with the success that attended its jubilee eights regatta recently on the Waterfront road course, where conditions for the events could hardly bave_ been better. It was the first time in the history of rowing in New Zealand that a programme which included a full class for eights had been attempted, and, judging by the interest taken by the large crowd of spectators, eight-oar rowing has come to stay (states an Auckland writer). It should not be long before other rowing centres follow Auckland’s example. That' eight-oar events make for more spectacular rowing was the contention supported by all. As a spectacle and as a display of rowing skill, the five eight-oar races proved easily the most popular. As at the two previous regattas in Auckland this season, the Auckland Club again was the most successful at the recent regatta. Its prize money for this season now totals £lO4. Waitemata, too, is not far behind Auckland in its performances, and now has won £59. West End was more successful than it was at Hamilton, and gained £l4. REDDING SHIELD REGATTA Rowing of a high standard was seen at the Redding Shield regatta, held on the Koro Koro course at Wellington. In the closest contest in the history of the trophy Petone retained the shield, with Star second and Wellington third. The shield points rvere:— Petone ... 22 Star ... 21 Wellington 20 Interest was added to the regatta by the inclusion in the programme of the interclub eights. Wellington, whose crew had not previously been out in the boat, put up a surprisingly good performance against Star No. 1 in the first heat, and it was only over the final stages that Petone showed any marked superiority over Star No. 2. The final was robbed of interest when a Star rower “ caught a crab ” about 100yds from the finish and the boat was pulled up. Up to that stage the contest had been very cvop, with Petone about a length in the lead. Pctone’s crew was: O. Clayton (str.), G. Leopard (7), D. J. Boswell (6), A. Hope (5), I. Carter (4), R. Pritchard (3), K. Boswell (2), B.'Rigby (bow), CLUBHOUSE CHATTER Mr A. E. White, sole selector for the Wellington interprovincial eight, has chosen the following 10 men to train for the interprovincial eights, to be rowed over three miles at Wellington on Easter Saturday;—O. N. Clayton (Petone), G. Leopard (Petone), D. J. Boswell (Petone), P. A. Abbott (Petone), G. Cooke (Star), J. Thodey (Star), K. Boswell (Petone), A. Andrews (Star), R. J. Tregurtha (Wellington). M. Clay (Star). An interested spectator at tbe recent Wellington regatta was Ron Sutherland, formerly deputy-club captain of the Wellington Club, and now of the Union Club, Christchurch. It was interesting to hear from him the performances of some of the southern crews. He predicted wins in the south for Wellington’s youths’ four and Ken May’s Star whippets. Hot competition is to be expected, however, in the senior fours and in the sculling events. The Council of the New Zealand Rowing Association has appointed selectors to choose an eight for the Empire Games, to be held at Sydney in February, 1938. Tbe crew will be chosen largely on form shown at the championship regatta at Akaron on February 27 and at the intcrprovincial championship

eights at Wellington on Easter Saturday. It was at first intended that the crew should be chosen by tho selectors of constituent associations, but the New Zealand Council has now decided to appoint two selectors from the South Island and two from the North Island, with the honorary secretary (Mr A. B. Bayfield) as convener. The South Island selectors are Messrs H.. Ayers and A. M. Halo, and the North Island selectors Messrs C, A. Healey and A. E. White. These appointments are contingent on the four selectors being able to attend both tho championship regatta and tho eight*. ■ , Disappointment was expressed, states an Auckland writer, when eights were not included in the New Zealand championship programme last year, but supporters now feel that something has been achieved in that direction by the inclusion of an interclub championship eight on this year’s programme. At the head of the move for a full class for eights was Mr C. G. Herdman, chairman of the executive of the Auckland Rowing Association, who has given additional encouragement to rowing enthusiasts throughout New Zealand by offering to subsidise the cost of each eight with a donation of £lO. Mr Herdman is one of an increasing number of enthusiasts who hold the very strong conviction that tho future development of the sport in New Zealand will be concentrated more especially upon eightoar rowing. A study of the development of the sport in other parts Af the world strongly supports this contention, and it is clear that rowing will not receive the public support and attention of which it is so urgently in need until eight-oar rowing comes into its own. The South Australian Rowing Association is seeking permission from the Australian Rowing Council to change the course of the Australian eight-bar and sculling from Mannum to Murray Bridge. The main reasons advanced in favour of the change are that the accommodation at Murray Bridge is superior to that at Mannum, and that a first-class course and a good alternative course are available at Murray Bridge. Transport arrangements will bo more satisfactory, as the cost of taking boats from Murray Bridge to Mannum will be eliminated.