ROWING SEASON.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 21068, 30 December 1931, Page 13

ROWING SEASON.

REGATTA AT TAURANGA. FORM DISPLAYED BY CREWS. I vIOST MONEY FOR WAITEMATA. The first regatta of the season held it Tauranga on Boxing Day was an inqualified success, both from fhc rowers' mrl spectators' point of view. In the :arly morning, before the tide turned, easterly squalls raised a, fairly lumpy lea and doubts were expressed whether conditions would allow an early start. However, before tiio first event comnenced the wind had dropped, and for .ho remainder of the day the water was deal, there being just that amount of movement to provide the oarsmen with in ideal rowing course. After the many weeks of training, clubs ivero eager to show of their best and it .vas a great compliment to the coaches :o see their crews keeping up under pressure, for practically all the races were closely contested and were in doubt right the gun. On all sides the opinion was freely expressed that seldom has such uniform style been shown so early in the season, and, while the winning crews :an be satisfied with their success, they will be assured of stern opposition in the forthcoming regattas. It was pleasing to note that all clubs shared in the donations offered, faring as follows:—Waitcinata, four firsts, £3O; Hamilton, three firsts, one second, £27; West End, one first, three seconds, £11; Tauranga, ono first, £8; St. George's, two seconds, £6; North Shore, two seconds, £4; Auckland, one second, £4. Judgment Shown. Proceedings opened with the Maiden Pair Oars, which were won by West End. M. Conway, stroke of tho winners, rowed with judgment, his determined finish rousing admiration from the spectators. Three lengths separated the crews at the finish. The single sculls event showed that W. Turner, New Zealand champion, who rowed in tho Napier Rowing Club's colours, was either badly out of form or has gone right back. In spite of the fact that lie was rowing in a strange boat, his exhibition was a deplorable one, and, if true, a new champion will undoubtedly show up at Hamilton on January 29. He finished last, in a fairly poor field. Eaddy, Waitemata, made good use of his handicap and won comfortably, showing surprisingly good form. G. W. St. Clair, Hamilton, off Bs, sculled really well and pleased his supporters. It is stated that his objective is the champion single sculls title at Hamilton. At present he sculls too short, but with his reach and physique this can be rectified. Tauranga produced a surprise in the youths' fours, this crew giving the opposition no chance to overtake it. The crew rowed very fast, about 35 all the way, and although somewhat ragged, had plenty of shoulder lift and was fast through the water. C. Tonkin, coach, had reason to be proud of his charges. Win For Hamilton. For just over one mile St. George's held half-a-length lead over tho crack Hamilton seniors, who did not appear tc be too happy and allowed themselves tc be bustled off their style. When they obtained the lead they showed their best work and rowed in a manner befitting s champion crew, eventually winning bj five lengths. Whether they are as good a crew as last season remains a query, the consensus ol opinion being that they will need more solid training if they hope to retain theii title at Hamilton. St. George's made a game effort all the way, but the result proved that they are handicapped in not being able to secure a coach to rectify theii faults. Some effort should be made tc overcome them before the championships. North Shore was outclassed on the day, proving too light, although it has>lost that clashing style that distinguished the crew as juniors. Contest Marred. The open maiden fours, with the largest field on th« programme, saw a stirring contest marred, however, by the thoughtless action of tlie crew of an Auckland yacht lifting her moorings and drifting with the tido right across the oncoming boats when they were about a quarter of a mile from the finish. Waitemata No. 1 was fortunate in being able to pass under her stern, but most of the crews wero forced to deviate from their course, some with oa?s touching. This eventually spoiling whatever chance they possessed of winning. Waitemata No. 1, last season's light maidens, secured tho lead from the beginning and may possibly have won in any case, but West End, which finished second, ran into all the bad luck and made a desperate effort to make up the leoway. The race showed that this class is very even. It was expected that tho winner of the junior fours would be either Waitemata or Auckland and so it proved, but, calculations wero nearly upset by Tauranga, which came to light with a lightning finish. Auckland was the favourite, its easy win in the C'nro Cup giving it plenty of confidence. Coxswain's Bad Steering. Waitemata provided the pace-making and only bad steering by the coxswain prevented the crew's win from being more than one length. Auckland made its run over the last half-mile and it was no disgrace to have been beaten by a crew which rowed in almost perfect form. V St. George's was disappointing, as it did not appear to be making any pace at all. Its shoulder work is ideal, but, after the hard catch, it has no forco through tho water and has a jazy finish. This can certainly be made a good crew with good coaching. Tho light-weight maiden event does not call for much description, as Hamilton made no race of it with the remaining crews. It rowed with a very fast stroke and has a wonderful, quick catch for maidens. In this it surpassed most of the crews seen at the regatta. West' End, with a belated reconstructed crew, made a good showing, but to do better its No. 3 will require to amend his body work. Auckland rowed below form and should do belter next time.

In the Somcrville Shield race the light Tauranga crew was not overawed by its formidable rival, Hamilton, and rowed along from the start with an easy swing, and, to the joy of the spectators, easily captured the trophy. Its boat simply flew between strokes in striking contrast to Hamilton, which crow was listless, quite unlike its usual form. The shield now remains in Tauranga, and, unless the club consents to row challenges away from homo there does not appear to bo any possibility of further races in this event for at least another year.