THE ROWING SEASON.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXI, Issue 18862, 10 November 1924, Page 10

THE ROWING SEASON.

OPENING ON SATURDAY.

GOOD FORM SHOWN.

RECORD YEAR ANTICIPATED.

The Auckland rowing season of 1924-25 was unofficially opened on Saturday afternoon by the West End Rowing Club and the Waitemata Boating Club, when seta of trial fours wero rowed. The standard of rowing at both clubs was exceptionally good for the beginning of the season and considerably in advance of that of previous years. At both sheds much enthusiasm was displayed, and with the general feeling shown in the sport, a record season is anticipated. All the clubs will possess fine plants' when operations start in earnest, and this factor will go a long way in raisins the standard of rowing. The water conditions were not of the best in the qualifying heats of Saturday's racing, as the northerly wind raised a roll on the southern shore, but in both sets the finals were decided under ideal conditions.

WAITEMATA CLUB-

MR. FRAZER-SMTTH'S TROPHIES.

The Waitemata Boating Club held trial fours for trophies presented -by Mr. J. Frazer-Smith, a vice-president. The course was from the King's Wharf to ft point off the clubhouse. Six crews competed and the club's three new boats enabled the event to be decided in two heats and a final. Tha crews in the first heat were:—lN. Doubleday (str), A. Bryant (3), C. Blundell (2), P. Bollard (1); L. Brooker, H. Cullen, E. Blakey, 0. Thompson; T. Johneon, A. Smith, T. Impey, McPhail Doubleday and Johnson's crews were quickly under way, but Brooker was slow in moving. For three-quarters of the course the crews raced on fairly level terms. Then Doubleday shot ahead and in an exciting finish won by a canvas length, with Johnson second. In the eecond heat the orews were:—Magee, C. Cairns. L. Wilson. Wade; Stone, T. Welson, A. Hart, C. Walker; A. Mackay, L. Patterson, Stewart, L. Barker. The crews moved away with a splendid start and for some distance raced together. Then Mage© and Mackay's fours forged ahead and in a stern finish Mageo gained the verdict by a foot. . After a good spell the crews of .Doubleday and Magee met at the starting line to decide the final. From a splendid start both crews jumped away together and setting a sharp pace raced to the half diHtance level. Then Doubleday gained a slight lead and, gradually increasing the advantage, wot by three-quarters of a length. Next Saturday afternoon a set of subscription trill fours will be rowed, and then the selectors will advance their selection for regt-.ta crews.

WEST END CLUB.

KOHN SHIELD CONTEST.

The West End Rowing Club started with a set of trial fours for the Kohn Shield. Six crews competed and the course was from the Reclamation to a, point off the boathouse. Mr. R. Lyons acted as starter and Mr. E. E. Madden as judge. In the firiit heat the crews were: —J. Skinner (str.), V. Hewitt (3). N. Conway (2), R. Ford (1); L. Culpan, G. Bloxham, I. T. Francis, J. Stratton. The crews jumped away to a good start, and hung on fairly even terms till off tho rod house. Skinner's crew then gained a lead that was increased to over a length at St. Mary's Wharf. Culpan then spurted, but Skinner responded and in a hard finish Skinner won by a length and a quarter. In the second heat tho crews were:—D. Skinner. W. C. Kellett, H. Little, McDonald; F. K. Finlay, W. Macredie, L. P. Francis, A. Wade. From the start Skinner took the lead and maintaining the advantage throughout won by two lengths. In the third heat the crews were:—C. Wright, T. O'Brien, C. .Parvin, L. Magnusson; A. Culpan, Rawlinson, Herbert, L. E. Skinner. The crews got away simultaneously and hung together until Hearing the wharf where Wright took the. lead. Culpan immediately challenged but in a determined finish Wright won by three-auarters of a length. The crews of J. Skinner. L. Skinner and C. Wright met in the final, jumping away together, and remaining on < fairly even terms, a great race was promised. Nearing the halfway mark J. Skinner look the lead and a few minutes later L. Skinner's chances were lost and he was compelled to retire through a broken seat roller. J. Skinner held over a length lead at the wharf, where Wright'B crew gamely challenged, but suffered defeat by two lengths. Tho committee of the West End Club has arranged the following provisional programme:—November 22:_ N'orden trophies; trial_ fours, married v. single. December 6: President's Day. Opening "At Home," and trial fours. January 24: Mrs. John Clark Shield; trial fours. February 21: Kohn medals; trial fours, March 7: 'Barrett Cup; inter-club trial fours. March 22: Patron's Day. "At Home," and trial fourß. THE AUCKLAND CLUB. Next Saturday afternoon the Auckland Rowing Club will open its season with a of trial fours for Mr. deal's trophies. The club prospects this season are much brighter than for many years. A number of new members of the right stamp have joined, and with the plant in good order plenty of rowing is offered. The annual mter-club 'eight-oar race, under the auspices of the Auckland Club, will, in all _ probability, be rowed in the first week in December. It is anticipated that Hamilton will send a crew and there is a likelihood of .Whangarei being represented. TAURANGA SEASON OPENED. [BY TELEGRAPH. —OWN CORRESPONDENT.] TAURANGA, Saturday. The Tauranga Rowing Club opened its season this afternoon in the presence of a large gathering. Races were held for trophies presented by the president, Mr. P. F. Carter. The winners of the final were G. H. Riley (stroke), A. Sorrensen, G. Mason, H. Hammond, N. Tonkin (cox). Six crews competed. A schoolboys' race was won by K. Cambie (stroke), R. Neal. D. Mountfort, H. Cambie, N. Tonkin (cox).