AQUATICS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 9565, 22 October 1892, Page 6 (Supplement)

AQUATICS.

ROWING NOTES,

(By Tingle.) The beginning of the week was ushered in ' with rain aud sleeb, and was not at all inviting to oarsmen, especially novices who havo yet to go through all the disappointment and vexation of having a rough harbour to row upon. Notwithstanding the boisterous weather, the crews from both sheds have been keeping up their training, and I am glad to see some noticeable improvement in the form of some of the men. Of the 22 crews engaged iv training at present, it would bs hsrd tor me to pick out the faults of each jnau, as I should havo to be up very early and live on the end of the wharf to see them at

work Tho fault that is most noticeable in all the crews that I have yet seen practising is a general disregard of the use of the slide, most jnon sliding lefore they grip the water at the beginning of the stroke. Novices should bear iv mind that they should grip the water first, then glide back, the body going slightly past the perpendicular, and finish with the arms dose to the sides, shoulders squared, and head up. I noticed a crew stroked by Priest taking a spin tho other night. He has got a nice crew and should give a good account of himself on Tuesday evening. Bow in this boat would do better if he kept his hands closer together, and came farther forward; he must also remember to hold his slide. The slide also seems to trouble No. 2 and No. 3 in this boat. _ Stroke, too, is very bad. He would do hotter if lie got smarter into the water, and used his length more at the beginning of the stroke. Le Cren is working hard with his crew, and with the material he has got ought to show up well. liis bow would be better oi a little more practice, and should remember not to swing out of the boat. No. 2 is improving, but does not swing far enough back. No. 3 is still awkward, but puts in a lot of useful work. Stroke should not forget to swing well out. He should bear in mind that he has a "long" crew behind him. Kaynes' crew certainly show the best form, bub from what I gather they are sadly wanting in condition. No. 3is rowing, better than he did last year, but he has a tendency to row a short, jerky stroke, which is neither pretty nor useful. No. 2 is tna best in the boat, and bow is a useful man. As this crew does its training between 6 snd 7 it is difficult for me to watch them closely. Chaft'ey's crew, I hear, content themselves by training on shore, seemingly haviug taken my advice given in last week's notes. Hooper is making his crew work very hard, and ho has some raw material to work upon. No. Sis a big fellow, and ought to prove a good and useful man. Be does not get his hands away at the end of tlie stroke, and should remember to Sold his slide and pull his stroke well up to.his'chest. He pulls very short, thus hurryinghts strobe, and making him "scratchy." 2-70. 2 and bow are exceedingly raw, but row

pluclrily. ............. Eagar has a nice, even crew, and sceias to be doing good work. His No. 2 wants a lot of coaching, and should remember to keep his eyes in the boat, and not to rush forward on his slide. He certainly spoils the swing in the boat.

Hanlon's crew are making good use of their time, and are improving daily. If his No. 3 can last, I should not be surprised to see them very close up at the finish. His crew would r.lso be better for a little coaching, for although the time is fairly good, the form on the whole is wretched ; but the pace seems to be there,. and that, I must confess, goes a long way in a club race. Foster is keeping his crew at work, bat they arc all very raw men, and need a lot of practice. The various other crews do not call for any comment. They all appear to be doing good work, and gradually acquiring the ait of water-

maaship. ■; What about Henley or Taieri regatta this year? I hope to hear of some Bteps being taken shortly to carry out a regatta on this river. (Bt Pareiia.) . Owing to the inclement weather last Saturday the opening of the rowing season at Port Chalmers had to suffer postponement. It is intended to have the procession on Saturday week, 29th iust., when the original programme will' be. goofs through. This afternoon would rVo particularly propitious for the demonstration, as the presence of the two , men-of-war would prove a great attraction, bub owing-to the cross-country rurt —at which a number of our r'owiag men are competing—-taking place to-day it was' considered desirable to avoid clashing:. Unfortunately the French man-of-war will be leaving our port before the 29 th, but ths Goldfinch will remain here some time vet. I understand bnth vessels are open for inspsclion to-morrow afternoon.

Through the delay of the opening ceremony, active wink at the Port Chalmers sheds has been somewhat retarded. The.Queen's Drive Club hns at last succeeded in obtaining possession of the boats purchased from the defuuet Union Club. The members of the latter club had to make a forcible entry.into their old shed to get the boats delivered. One of their leading members claimed rental and padlocked the door. This being disputed by the other members, the crowbar was brought into requisition with Very successful results. The North Ditnedin Club aro hardly likely to roake much headway this season. They will be handicapped in having to wait for boats, and therefore unlikely to compete at the regattas. Their intention at present is to build practice gigs and institute iuterclub races between the various town clubs in this class cf boat. , This would be a step worth considering, cspecii l'.y on rough days when the lighter class gigs arc unable to go out.

The interest taken by the friends of members training for the D.A.B.C. Trial Fours seems to be increasing, large numbers attending to witness the eventDg practice of the various cre^s. Tho new men are practising assiduously, and improving wonderfully. Of the men who are promoted to " slrokeship" fcr the first time this season, Ross, Beck, Miller, Knos, Brookman, Evans, Maxwell, and Maloney are all proving themselves worthy of the committee's confidence, and working the raw material into something like shape. Ross', crew has improved wonderfully lately, his No. 3 will still take a little coaching. Beck's and Maloney's have also picked up' rapidly and only require steady practice. All tho others are pretty even, and likely to further improve. Of the older strokes Hunter has succeeded in getting his No. 2 to settle to work and is now reaping the reward of his patience. Trebilcock (an ex-Melbournite) has a very even crew, and coaching i 3 all that is necessary to bring them out. To-night the annual meeting of the New Zealand Rowing Association takes place in Wellington, and a certain amount of interest to Ofcngo is occasioned by the fact that the two new clubs—Queen's Drive and North Dunedin.—are applying for admission, as well as a number of es-piotessionals applying for reinstatement.