ROWING EVENTS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 22970, 23 February 1938, Page 20

ROWING EVENTS

OPINIONS OF SCULLER INEXPERIENCE AT DISTANCE FAILURE OF DOMINION CREWS Until New Zealand adopts the policy of rowing senior events over the Olympic distance of one mile and a-quarter instead of the much longer courses now in use, crews representing the Dominion cannot hope to win in future international events. This is the opinion of R. B. Smith, New Zealand's representatives in the single scttlls event at the Empire Games, who returned by the Niagara from Sydney on Monday. "The reason why the Dominion crews did not perform up to expectations was that they were not used to the short course," said Smith. "Both the fours and the eights commenced at too slow a striking rate. They held their own well but inexperience in sprinting was the chief factor contributing to their failure." The English crows rowed in the Fairburn style, which is considered to have the best advantages for present-day rowing, Smith continued. The Australians rowed in a semi-orthodox stylo while the New Zealand crews were wedded to orthodoxy; With reference to reports to the effect that in English rowing each oarsmen is allowed to keep his individuality, Smith is of the opinion that observance of this would be in the interests of the sport in this country. "The Nepean River where the races were decided provides a good, straight course, but tne water is there being absolutely 110 flow, so that the wind is the dominating factor," Smith said. "When the sculls race was started there was a strong head-hreeze. Sculling in New Zealand is not up to the standard in Australia, although the class of rowing here is on an equal looting with tlie best in New South Wales."

The standard in the fours was below that of the eights, the New Zealander stated. The Canadians wero the favourites iu their event but they did not justify the opinions of their critics. The Canadians led at the start, but the Australian and New Zealand crews moved ahead soon after. The crew's failure was unaccountable because it had proved its ability on numerous occasions and certainly impressed in the training operations. Used to coxswainless boats, the Canadians had to have a special skiff built to compete. The Petone four was off form on the day. In the light of what he saw at the Empire Games, in which England and Australia were both represented by composite crews, Smith considers that it, is certainly beneficial to select the best oarsmen from all parts of the country instead of choosing a cliib crew. England's experiment in moulding oarsmen with different'styles proved very successful—and the crew had very little training together. , Smith endorses the remarks made recently by Sir Arthur Eggar, to the effect that with a little smoothing in one or two points, the New Zealand eight could be moulded into one of the best in the world. The leg-drive, which is characteristic? of the Fair burn style, is apparently s yery effective and could be adopted to advantage in New Zealand. - ' , The five inter-club events postponed from February 5 will be contested along the Tamaki Drive course on Saturday afternoon. The open fours event for the Mason Cup has been well supported with an entry of 11 crews. The Auckland Club has entered four crews in this'event, while West End, Waitemata and University each have two contendere. The race should prove especially interesting: in view of the. large field. The Stuart Reid 'eights will bo contested by only three clubs. Waitemata's entry appeals as the most likely crew, but Auckland and West End will not go down without a fight. Auckland, especially, may prove dangerous with R. B. Smith back in the stroke seat. The open fours in. best-and-best boats for the Brett Cup has drawn only three entries, but all the crews, Auckland, Waitemata and St. George's, are strong, and this shbuld provide a close race.