ROWING.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 20322, 2 February 1928, Page 4

ROWING.

By Outrigger

February .4. —St. Leonards Regatta. February 25. —Port Chalmers Regatta. March 3—Championship Regatta (Wanganui) ; Ravensbotirne Regatta. March 24—Interprovincial Eight-oar Race (Wellington). Otago Association Regatta —date not fixed.

Not for the past five years has rowing attracted so much attention as has been the case this season. Whether the modern youth has found out what a great sport it is, whether the introduction of eight-oar rowing is doing it, or whether the New Zealanders’ successful trips to Australia within the last two years is stimulating keenness or not, is hard to sav. Rowing is booming in Otago, as is shown by the keen and friendly rivalry between the various clubs, the strict attention to training, and the influx of new and promising members. The Wanganui Union Club is at present making desperate attempts to take the championship four back to the club, and its crew, which is the same personnel as last year, is already showing good form. The Riverton Club has had the use of a four-oared boat belonging to the Oamaru rowers, but the boat has since been returned. So far nothing had been heard by the Riverton officials as to when the four and pair-oared will reach their destination, but after many disappointments from the builders, followers of the sport will not be sorry when the new importations are securely housed in the club’s buildings. ‘ i'he five Auckland clubs—North Shore, Auckland, West End, St. George’s, ancl\ Waiteraata—were fully represented at the Hamilton regatta on January 30. Crews were also present from Whangarei, Tauranga, Ngaruwahia. and the Clifton Club from Taranaki., The entries for the various races were in excess of those of previous years. The following crews from the. North I End Club have been selected to row’-at the St. Leonards regatta on Saturday:— Youths’ Fours: No. I—W.1 —W. Titchener (stroke), E. J. Wilson, C. Barton, A. Deans, No. 2—W. Wilson (stroke), F. Vorrath, R. Clarke, H. Rodgers (bow). Maiden Fours: No. I—P.1 —P. Vallis (stroke). A. G. Johnston,-W. Titchener, J. Hurrell (bow); No. 2—G. Thomson (stroke), H. Livingstone, J. Garthwaite, L. Blagdon (bow). The Auckland Sim states that with the completion of the Arapuni dam the Auckland province noiy ha, the finest rowing course in New Zealand, g stretch of calm and sheltered water, overlooked by a hill which would permit spectators to see every foot of the course. Although transport arrangements would at the outset bo difficult, to adjust, it would not be a big undertaking to capitalise the newly-created facilities. Boats could be railed to Putaruru, which, by a first-class 'Public Works road, is only, six miles from Arapuni. The difficulties arc not insuperable. A special attraction ■at tho Hamilton regatta on January 30 was the two eightoar trial .races. . Tpese were rowed with- a view to, assisting in the selection of the Auckland interprovincial crew to compete for the Hally burton-Johnston Cup at Wellington in March. The river course made a pretty setting for these races, and also offered • the first oportunity of seeing oight-oar crews'in action on the Waikato River. Already trials have been rowed on Auckland Harbour, these having materially assisted the selector in reducing tho claimants for inteprovincial honours. All .the Auckland clubs, as opportunity Oners use the long course for trial racing, and the Value of its adoption has been shown in no uncertain manner.. The rowing has reached a higher standard. Contrary to many opinions, with crews selected at the last moment, the finishes have been very close. The men have maintained better condition and generally favour the long course. . , „ The. experiment of including in the programme a race for welter-weight maidens fn the -10.7 class will be tried this-season by the Wanganui Rowing Association, v&ich i 8 conducting the championship regatta The junior welter-weight used to bo very popular in Auckland, but ha s been CluV, p.ir tubs are handsome and useful little craf , and on the fixed seats it, po*; •Li jpil 1 into novices the firm pnn ciSL ot goodoarsmanship. Old-timers believe that , rowing standards ha'e declined the slidi.J novices d as sert confidently, that better foundations cre <e ’^ a "He?r fiovitb days when " c T c .?™. ar Vof a whaleboat, ate on the hard secretary of Advice received lowing Association, S? a N D *sSa. S’iS Jk *. Visit Ncw.ze.und “tSSS* settle dpwn.after the bol f| b P con test to thT S P "ea% n^dli e tS place this week Sews representing Waitemata and West End clubs will SfSli.ld'f" m“”"wanga»-..i Club, uud h °f Welling. • m the crews away with their in letting tn e water being boats practically tnu . wafi u]ts . (says t . mo at sucosstul was one ot present season. Clff'ablt'seveu «*«* Union Clu been one of its most ensmee then h _ , and a hard-working tffiisias ic This’ season he was taking but last year a spell Lom omeu n u , ub At he was P rega tta in which the club Bush' was present, and he was the winner of a large number of ” For the past two .seasons he won the single sculling championship of the Union Club, and this season, with W Greenway he won the only race that fell to the dub at the Lyttelton regatta, and the only race that- fell to thefclub at the \karoa regatta. ,At each meeting they won ttie Junior Double Sculls, and they were depended unon ‘by the club to win at the Christchurch regatta on February 11, Bush being entered in both the Junioi and Senior Double Sculls. "e was a member of the Merivale Football Club, for whom be played m a lower grade some seasons ago, ■ and one of the most popular athletes in. Christchurch. Of a genial, happy -nature, he had a very wide circle of friends. NEW ZEALAND CHAMPIONSHIPS. The New Zealand Council, recently discussed the programme for the championclii.' reeatta. There are to be 14 races, and the ß donations already total £2lB. The events are as follow:—!, p.m.: Maiden •RVuir one mile; first £ls, second £5. 1 20 n m : Championship Singly Sculls, 14 miles- first £lO. second £3. 1.40 p.m.: Maiden Single Sculls one mile; first £6, second £l. 2 p.m.; Youths Fours, one mile- first £lO. second i 3. 2.20 p.m.; Championship. Fours, .two miles;.first £6O, second £ls ss, 2.40 p.m.: Maiden Double Sculls,-one mile; first £B, second £2. 3 p m • Junior Fours (clinker). 14 miles; first"£ls, second £3. . 3.20 p.m.: Junior Single Sculls) one mile; first £6, second fi 3.40 p.m.: Championship Pairs, 14 miles; first £ls, second £5. 4 p.m.: Maiden Fours (lOst and under), one mile; first £lO. second £3. 4.20 p.m.: Junior Fours (best and best), 1J mileo; first £10;- second £3. 4.40 p.m.: Championship Double Sculls, 14 miles; first £ls. second £5. 5 p.m.: Junior Double Sculls, ope mile:,first £B, second £2. 5.20 p.m.: Senior Fours (open to all crews except winners of Champion Fours), miles; first £2O, second £s.' Mr A.’Delves was nominated as umpire. , J