Rowing: Upper Harbour Clubs Give Lead

Evening Star, Issue 25950, 15 November 1946, Page 5

Rowing: Upper Harbour Clubs Give Lead

Preparing for First Regatta

fßy Bow.]

Upper harbour crews have i had the best of the rowing season so far, and gn first form it would appear that Otago and North End will send out the best-trained crews for the first 0.1t.A. regatta, which will be held on December 7. Drive promises to make a bid for its old honours, but training at the Port shed has been held up by adverse weather. With only three weeks left before the North End regatta, all strokes should arrange that crews are on the water on every possible occasion. Only by being fit can oarsmen hope to achieve success, so training should now become strict. 4 Interclub Fixture.

An interclub regatta between North End ami Otago will bo held at the North End shed on November 30. This small fixture will serve as a pipe-opener for regatta crews from both clubs.

Last year North End was an easy winner in this regatta, and is now the holder of the coveted D.A.B.S. Cup presented ’to tile club securing most points in this interclub annual. Coaching Scheme. Other clubs might well follow the Otago example and form a coaching committee. The Otago committee will be operating from this week-end, and all crews have been requested to cooperate by carrying out training schedules correctly. The personnel of the new body are:—Messrs P. Anderson (chairman), T. Wheelwright, E. Fairbairn, J. Werges, C. Johnson, K. Barclay, R. Baird, R, Caradus, W. Binnie, and K. Jack. The committee should be an 'asset to the club, and crews should be in good condition for the major regattas after Christmas. Harbour Veteran. George Thorn, with 15 years of active rowing to his credit and still going strong, can deny that a fit oarsman will' suffer from participation in the sport. As a Drive man he rowed his first race in 1923. He was never unplaced in youths, maiden, or junior fours, sculls, or pairs. As bow man he rowed in the Drive youths four that finished second to Awarua at the last championship regatta held in Dunedin in 1925. Drive had a surplus of seniors in 1932, so he changed to the Port Club

where he kept his bow position in the senior four, and eventually became club captain. When he transferred to Dunedin, he left the club in a strong position both financially, and in membership, and was instrumental in obtaining gifts of the eight and the single sculler. On several occasions George Thorn has represented the province in eights, and once rowed for the South Island. After an absence of about eight years from the siport he came back during the difficult war period, and was bow in the Otago crew that beat the Port champion four last season. *He is now captain of the Otago shed. “ Oarsmen to-dav expect to win without training,” says George. “ The sooner they realise that the hard way is’the easy way, the brighter will be their fortunes.” A, Faint Crow.

Oarsmen will learn with regret .that some difficulty is being experienced in getting last year’s champion four together. Port is 1945-46 “ cock of the walk,” but there is a report that the rooster might not be defended at the February championships. It would be a pity if a harbour club could ont defend the title on its home waters in 1948, and an even greater pity if the title was not defended this season. Very little water work has been done by Port members, mainly because

of the adverse weather. Alterations are being carried out to the club-house and skidway to house the eight when is assembled. There are eight novices, with some promising material among them. i North End Form. Training is well advanced at the North End shed, and it appears that ; the black-and-reds will prove difficult i in all classes. The form shown by the j seniors and youths is already impresI sive. The club has as president W. i Glengarry, who, wi.th club captain ! Connor, is keeping the active members on their toes. Queen’s Drive Revival. The recent lethargy of the Queen’s Drive Club might be shaken off this season if the first enthusiasm of the | younger members js maintained. There ] are prospects of a big carnival to raise 1 funds for plant and club-house repairs. | The shed has been replied, and is in i a reasonable condition. Charles Thorn, ! a brother of George, has rejoined after ! a long absence, and should be a welcome acquisition. Last year’s junior crew will be the same with the exception of C. Holden, who has since left Port. It is to be hoped that some of the older members will turn to and help place Queen’s Drive where it was not so many seasons ago. Otago Club Crews. | The following crews will represent Otago at the North End | regatta:—Senior fours: K. Parish (s), L. Newton, N. Mitchell, G. Thorn: junior fours—K. Collins (s), J. Mitchell, D. Brady, L. Percy; youths fours—R. Smith (s), A. Jones, R. Steadman, It. Allen; junior pairs, It. Marshall (s). L. Newton ; maiden pairs, K. Kerr (s), A. Wilson; youths pairs, R. Smith (s), A. Jones; senior singles, N. Mitchell, K. Parrish; junior singles, L. Newton, J, Mitchell; maiden singles, K. Collins, K. Kerr; youths singles, R. Allen, A. Jones. The maiden fours, senior pairs, and novice fours will be selected this week-end. A social committee of younger members of the Otago Club has been formed under Mr R. Baird to cater for the lighter side of club affairs.