ROWING REVIEW.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 19627, 4 May 1927, Page 16

ROWING REVIEW.

AUCKLAND SEASON CLOSES. LARGE REGATTA PROGRAMME. RECORD OF CLUB SUCCESSES. The closing 0 f the Auckland rowing season came somewhat suddenly, due, no doubt, to the early start of the winter sports. An opportunity is therefore afforded to review the happenings during the summer months. After an exceptionally early start with the preliminary arrangements, everything pointed to a promising season. This promise was fulfilled in a manner the most sanguine enthusiast did not anticipate. Realising tlie value of new members, the officers of the various clubs lost no chances of securing new aspirants. This proved beneficial in two ways, as it gave fresh material to work upon and added j public interest to the sport. Rowing i naturally received a great impetus, and i discontent was not allowed to creep in, | with the result that a happy spirit prevailed throughout. The water conditions were not too favourable. especially in the early stages, but the club coaches maintained the interest of members by giving them short instructional rowing in the more sheltered waters. ' The coaches did not confine their duties to one regatta crew as in previous seasons. So much instruction,! both afloat and ashore, brought its results much more quickly than anticipated, and rowing 'reached a very high standard. Improved Club Management. Club management throughout showed an improvement, and this was borne out by the manner in which the members were kept acquainted with club affairs. Another feature was the submission of all club programmes to a special meeting of club representatives, with the result that an amicable settlement of dates for all special occasions was arrived at. Regatta racing is naturally the premier objective of all clubs, and while many members join up only for the social side and pleasure rowing, the various clubs supporters, by donations of trophies, introduce the opportunity to all members for a try-out at racing. These races are known as trials and may be either in pair oars, single sculls, double sculls or four oars, while ona club even enjoys eight oars. The liberal donation of trophies resulted in a big trial season, and some very fine racing was witnessed. These' events proved really the nursery for the regattas, for often the selectors have had anxious thoughts removed after an afternoon of club trial races. The Number of Regattas. As experienced for the last few seasons, the mauy regattas provided a very heavy programme and several oarsmen consider these functions were overdone. Although the rowing reached a high standard, the great amount of travelling entailed caused alterations in crews, and it was felt the rowing would have been even better if there had been fewer regattas. Against this, the argument arose that more men obtained chances to gain the honours, but whether this is in the best interests of the sport is very problematical. Another point against the numerous regattas is the great expense and loss of time incurred. The regattas certainly provide a large source of income for the clubs, but the contention that there should be fewer regattas with larger winning donations is one that, must be considered seriously in the future. All clubs divided the wins in a surprising manner, and no crew went through the season with an unblemished record. This helped to maintain an increased interest until the final event. The best crew record was that of the St. George's youths, although other performers of exceptional merit were the Waitemata juniors. North Shore maidens nnd juniors, and the Auckland light and heavy maiden crews. The Championship Events. The two championship events of the province, the light maidens, carrying the Mrs. John Clark Shield, and the heavy maidens, involving the Dewar Shield, were both won by the Hamilton Club. The various club winnings wore:— Hamilton. £140; Waitemata. £155; North Shore. £BS; St. George's, £75; Auckland, £47; West End. £35: Whangarei. £24; Tauranga, £l7; and Wliakatane, £2._ The Auckland. Hamilton and North Shore Clubs are involved in protests that may cause a slight alteration in these amounts. The protests are being dealt with by the New Zealand Rowing Association The Hamilton Rowing Club and the Waitemata Boating Club representatives competed at the New Zealand championships at Picton, and met with conspicuous success. Two championships were gained. W. A. Stevenson, of Waitemata. successfully defended the single sculls title, while Hamilton, with T. St. Clair and W. MoieswortJi. secured the double sculls title. Waitemata also gained second place in the double sculls, with Hamilton second in the nair oars. Tn the championship fours neither Hamilton nor Waitemata were seriously cor sidered when thev started for the regatta, but Waitemata effected a great surprise and was beaten onlv in the last stapes by the title holders. Otaio. by a canvas length. It was generally considered that the form displayed at the championships would «erve as a guide for the selection of the New Zealand eight for the next Olvmnic Games. If such a course was decided upon, the selectors would be seriously 'nndirapnc'l in their duties. Inter-Club Contests. .Next to the regatta come the utterclub events, ami the eight races contested in Auckland provided a stirring series of races. It was uoticealflo that, 'although the town clubs !»upp>>;n : <f ttie <-ot»ittrv regattas, no country clubs came to town lor any of the inter-club trophy events.. The Waikato Challenge Cup, a trophy which Hamilton has held for many years, produced a challenge from Mercer, and after a good race the holders retained the trophy. The Somerviile Shield was presented to the Auckland Rowing Club by Captain Somerviile for eight-oar contests, and the first race took place on Auckland Harbour in 1914, when Wanganut Union defeated the Auckland Rowing Club. The contest this year drew challenges from the St. George's and North Shore clubs, bat the event was never decided, as a decision over the use of best and best boats was awaited from the New Zealand Association. The parent body has at laa.t pointed out that the rules provide for clinker-built boats, and it would be necessary for a remit to be made to alter the rales t-o enable the best and best boat# to be used, Waitemata will thus hold the trophy for another season. Winners o! Trophies. The various mt-er-club winner# were:— Barrett Cup, West End Rowing Club; Smith Shield, Auckland Rowing Club; Mcllraith Cup, Waitemata Boating Club; Dr. Stuart Read Cop, Bt. George's flowing Club, Maurice Caro Cup, St. George's Rowing Club; Mason junior pairs, North Shore Bowing Cksb; Mason Cap, St. George's Rowing Club; Tamaki Yacht Club Cup, Auckland Rowing Club. The soft goods inter-house- race aroused increased interest, fmt the event failed to realise expectations. The winners,. Milne and Choyee, were in a class by ■ themselves, and had . the advantage of having the same crew which won the trophy tf.se previous year. The race' has proved a- success, but probably (he rules [ governing it will require a little re--1 adjusting to prevent One-sided races.