SINGLE SCULLERS.

Northern Advocate, 23 July 1923, Page 6

SINGLE SCULLERS.

THE WOELD'S CHAMPIONS.

PADDON'S HISTORY.

James Paddon, champion sculler of the world, wa3 born at Evans Head, New South Wales, on November IP, 1886, and is thus nearly 37 years of age. In his early days he worked with his father, who had an oystering and fishing business, which, by the way, Paddon still carries on. Hia occupation necessitated a lot of rowing, but in heavy boats, though he naturally., be* came a very proficient waterman, ftnd when he took to rowing as a sport liis earlier experience stood him in good stead. His first race was as an amateur, in April, 1012, when "he competed in the North Coast championship, and won that event, the prizes being a medal and a cup (the latter to be won throe times). This was on the Easter Saturday on the Clarence River. On the Monday following he rowed for the Clftift&ce River championship, meeting the name company, with the same result. He also rowed in a handicap event and won that off scratch on the cl a y. After this he rowed several other races, singles, and doubles with his brother George (who was killed in the Great War). The Paddons were never beaten in doubles, neither in handicap nor, in championship races. Jim then turned professional and rowed in the fi&r&ki Hundred in 1912, when he finished second to Jack Casey, a limit man, Paddon being on half limit with Arnst scratch, though'the last mentioned did not start. He competed with success in other handicap events, and was then matched to row Alf Felton for the Australian championship. This race took place on the Patramtttta River on February 15, 191'*, and Jim beat easily after a hard race over the first mile. Felton. was always credited with being one of the most brilliant men over about two miles that Australia had produced, and lie led Jim for about a mile and a-half, but after going a mile Paddon had the race in safe keeping and won comfortably at the end. He defended his title against Arnst on November 1 of the same. year. This was a gruellir.g Tace, Paddon winning toy two lengths, which was the biggest margin separating the pair over the whole course —three miles. Paddon then tried for the world's championship, which had been won from Amst by Ernest Barry. For this race Mr George Seifert accompanied him to England. The race took place on the Thames, and resulted in a win for the Englishman. Paddon made no excuses for his defeat, but it is well known that he was not at his best for the contest. This race took place, on September 7, 1914. Then the . Great War put a stop to rowing, and Paddon had a long spell, it being nearly four years before he again got into a racing skiff. ..He was challenged for the Australian championship by "W. McDevitt, the Tasmanian, and after a hard tussle, over the first mile, drew away and managed to retain the title. Later 'on Paddon decided to have another try for the world's championship, and challenged the winner of the Amst-Hadfield race, with the result that ho gained the coveted prize on April 18, 1922.

Paddon's list of big niatches is not a long one, but th 6 best judges in Australia have no hesitation in declaring that but for the enforced spell during the war period, he would have been champion of the world six or seven years ago. As it was he was very unlucky in not getting a match against Barry when the Englishman visited Australia. He was really entitled to a race with Felton on the latter's return to Australia with the title, but like all good sportsmen stood aside to allow Bairy to have the first race. Barry beat Felton, and Arnst, having got in before Paddon, secured the title •by default, the outcome being that Paddon had to come over to New Zealand to win back the title for Australia.