ROWING.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 13857, 21 March 1907, Page 10

ROWING.

By Stcioks:.

Waihola Regatta on Saturday. The Otago regatta crews are taking advantage of the fine weather to put tho finishing touches to their training. Nearly all the crews are a bit short of work for (his regatta, the weather tho last two or

three weeks having been against long spins. However, the Otago Club men may secure one or two wins on Saturday, especially in tho maiden events, as tlie club will be very strong in these races. Tho O.R.C. Junior Four have not boon too consistent in their training. No. 2 being Iho defaulter on most occasions. Still they arc a fairly strong crew and should race well. The Senior Four have not taken advantage of the good water tho last few days for some reason or' other, Saturday and Monday were good water days, but I did not noticc this crew out. The crews for the sculling events have been training well and should be well to the front on Saturday. This club, I am pleased to see, has two crows in for tho Maiden and Junior Pairs and tho Double Sculls, and one represented in every race.

The Inst of the Otago dub races was l'owcd oft' on Saturday afternoon, and resulted in a iviu for J. Sibbald's crew. Six boats started, the North Eml and tho D.A.B.C. having kindly placed their boats al, the disposal of tho Otago Club. Tlio Dabs will be represented in every racc at Waihola. save in the Senior i'ours. In the Senior Pair a very keen couple of rowers in Shand and Sullivan will be seen out, who it is hoped will turn out worthy successors to Williams and Olson. In the Maiden Double Sculls the Dab crew—Conroy and O'Sullivan—are also going well in

their training, and arc expected to "do things." 'Die North-Endors will have Breon aud Fred. Given rowing for thorn 111 the Senior Double Sculls, these two veterans taking tho place of Ruddick and Foster. Mr S. Craig, president of the Southland Rowing Association, arrives on Friday night ■ from l.nvercargill, and will be the guest of the Otago Rowing Association at the regatta> The Southland four will arrive at Wailiola on Friday, staying at Waihola overnight. The Southland Rowing Club will be represented in all the four-oar events. Oamaru, I understand, are sending down a Maiden and Junior four to coninetc at ■Waihola. At the 'Waihola luncheon given by the president of the Otago Rowing Association (Mr John Mill) tho opportunity will be taken of wishing bon voyage to Mr Leslie R. Wilson 011 the eve of his visit to England. Mr Wilson, who is a vice-president, of tho 0.R.A., has been intimately connected with local rowing for a number of years now, and has done a lot of work to foster the sport. I join with his many friends in wishing Mr Wilson a pleasant, voyage and a speedy return to health. Young Australians are being given a chance to distinguish themselves in the sculling contests now proceeding at Oxford. Tho son of Mr Justice Higgins is stroking the first "togger" (emergency crew) at Balliol, and four other Australians are associated with the team. Tho eight-oared likw for iho championship of South Australia was rowed on the Port River. 011 March 2. Port Adelaide won by 10 lengths from Tho Torrens, who were three lengths ahead of the Mercantile. Adelaide was hopelessly in the rear. The time was lTmin 35scc, a record for the

.'ace. The New South Wales scttllev W. ¥og-

well lias received a reply from "W. Webb, of Wanganui. that ho is not prepared to make a match at present, as lie would prefer to row iwo New Zealanders first who

are anxious to meet him. No bettor proof could be given that the man who pulls mainly with his arms has a poor prospect of success against the man who knows how to use and does use the

muscles of his shoulder, back, and legs when pulling with a pair of skulls than the race txitwecn Towns and Durnan for Ilie World's Sculling Championship on the Nopean River ("says "Outrigger" in the Leader). This same applies to rowing with an oar. That Durnan had 'he fault of pulling with his arms was, of course, noticeable in his training spins, and henco a win for Towns was predicted by nil oxports, especially when they knew that the champion was fit and well. But. the men who rely mainly upon their arm power in coulling" or rowing: do not always lose. James Staiibury relies ioo much upon bis arm power, but lie is a. very strong man. The lale Henry _Scarle, champion of champions, 'lid very'little arm work, but used the powerful muscles of his back, shoulders, and legs with marvellous effect. Beach, Kemp. ind Towns have sculled in similar style to Seartc in regard to the use of their strongest musclcs, but it is doubtful whether either of them ever equalled athss best the Clarence River wonder (>. Towns. Tlio crows at tlio Data have been putting

ill their iinal spins in anticipation of Saturday's contest. While all the crews seem short of work, they should at least give a fair account of themselves, and in one or two of the races should bo about at the finish. 'flic Maiden Fours have had some long Gpins during tho past week, which they badly wanted, being very short of work owing to the accident to the stroke. Tlio eiew is showing much-improved form, and should be well lip at the business end of the race. Both stroke and bow have dcoloped a slight roll towards their oars, and should try and row straight, up and down the boat. All of the crew is inclined lo row short, and should come right out at tlio catch. The Maiden Pairs are in good condition, but are very rough in their work, and both still l.ave a big roll towards their oars. They also miss water at the catch, whilst their body-swing is not so good as it might lie.

Tiio Maiden Double''Scullers mo going really well, but could do with a. couple of weeks' n'ore training. Bow is irtf'inoil to catch before stroke, whilst, both are still going rather deep. Thia crow will also start in the Junior Sculls.

The Junior Pairs have not been out much during the past week, which.is to ho regretted, as t.lic.v arc a good pair and should lake sonio beating. They will also start in the Senior Fairs.