ROWING NOTES

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22708, 21 April 1937, Page 22

ROWING NOTES

SEASON IN AUCKLAND REVIEW OF ACTIVITIES MANY OUTSTANDING EVENTS The past season, which marked the 50th anniversary of the Auckland Rowing Association', has been very successful. The action of the - association in attempting for the first time in New Zealand a regatta comprising a full class for eights,- was a great undertaking, especially as there was some speculation as to the public attitude toward eight-oared rowing. The enthusiasm, however, with which it was received left little doubt in the minds of the officials that eights would give a big impetus to the sport in the Dominion.

The introduction of an eights race on the New Zealand championship programme was not considered in the South as a progressive step to rowing and unfortunately the event was marred by bad water conditions when it was timed to start. It was put off until later in the afternoon when choppy water again caused a postponement after the race had gone about half a mile with all but one crew swamped. It was not until after sunset that a further attempt was made to row the event and then all that could be seen was da"rk shadows flitting across the harbour and the flash of the judge's gun. It was unfortunate that what was supposed to be the big cven£ of the day should have become a fiasco.

In spite of the setbacks which have attended the' efforts of the prime moYers, among whom Mr. C. G. Herdman, chairman of the executive of the Auckland Rowing Association, figures prominently, eight-oared rowing has come to stay. Greater interest has been evident recently among tho younger oarsmen, who now have a chance of gaining a seat in an eight if they fail to qualify for a place in a four. The first dead-heat" decision to be given in New Zealand for an eights race was recorded 011 Saturday in the goodwill eights between Auckland and West End. Mr. W. J. Hampton Reynolds was judge.

CLUB SUCCESSES AUCKLAND'S GOOD RECORD Outstanding among the achievements of the various clubs was the fine record made by the Auckland Club. The major portion of the events and prizemoney at the various regattas was won by Auckland members. It is a great tribute to the coach, Mr. G. Barrett, who has spent much time training his crews. The club is fortunate in having such an experienced veteran at its service. Waitemata also had a very successful season, especially where eight-oar rowing is concerned. Its maiden double sculls crew has met with success at every regatta in which it has competed. At one time or another during the season Waitemata has excelled in almost every class. It has remained superior in the maiden and senior eights. The club did not compete in eights until after the Tauranga regatta. There was a notable strengthening in the senior status by most of the

clubs, including those in the country districts Hamilton caused a mild surprise when its senior four defeated Auckland's crew at the Hamilton regatta, but Auckland avenged that by a win at the Auckland regatta, with Hamilton in second place. West End promised to do well -when it scored a number of victories at the North Shore regatta early in the season, but its performances after that were somewhat disappointing. However, it had a fair measure of success and won the pairoar championship of the Auckland Province. St. George's policy of 110 regatta racing had an adverse effect on its members. When, toward the end «f the season, it decided to compete, its crews were found to lack the racing experience that would have considerably changed its plaeings. North Shore's activity diminished in the middle of the, season, but the club was entered at some of the later regattas. The University Club was inactive until its new boatshed was erected about six weeks ago. Then training operations commenced in earnest. It is proposed to carry 011 right through the winter for the benefit of footballers who wish to train. The Jubilee Club for blind oarsmen was somewhat dormant this season, the reason being that most of the oarsmen are also bandsmen whose time was mostly occupied in travelling and playing.

INTEREST AMONG SCHOOLS POPULARITY OF THE SPORT Among the secondary schools of Auckland there is a definite interest in the sport. Every encouragement has been given by the Auckland Rowing Association, which next season hopes to stage an inter-schools' regatta. Schoolboy oarsmen representing Wanganui Technical College and Mount Albert Grammar School met last Saturday in a race on the harbour, and there was a notable interest taken by the spectators. It was unfortunate that Mount Albert was left at the start, as the race promised to be a good one. The home crew gained on Wanganui about halfway over the course, but the experienced Wanganui crew moved away, to win by a length and a-lmlf.