ROWING

Otago Daily Times, Issue 21531, 31 December 1931, Page 5

ROWING

By Outbidder. FIXTURES January I.—Akaroa regatta; Bluff regatta; Picton regatta. January 16. —Otago regatta. January 23. —Wanganui regatta. January 29. Championshop regatta (Hamilton). February 6. —Burkes-St. Leonards regatta. March 26. —Interprovincial eights at Picton. QUEEN’S DRIVE CLUB The following crews will represent the Queen’s Drive Club at the Bluff regatta to-morrow: —Senior Fours: G. Clark, H Pritchard, L. Founatin, D. Matheson. Youth Fours: C. Macdonald, D. Clark, R. Anderson, C. Thorn. Senior Pairs and Sculls: G. Clark. H. Pritchard. Junior Pairs and Sculls: L. Pithie, F. Pithie. Youth Sculls: C. Macdonald, D. Clark. Youth Pairs: R. Anderson, D. Clark. MACANDREW BAY REGATTA It is pleasing to record that the rowing section of the Macandrcw Bay regatta on Boxing Day was one of the most successful features of the fixture. All the events were very keenly contested, and several exciting finishes were witnessed. Another very satisfactory feature was the fact that the scheduled times were adhered to so closely that 15 minutes after the last race’ was timed to start the boats were back in the shed or being dismantled on the beach. The undoubted success of the races was due to the efforts of the starter (Mr E. V, Fairbairn), who was accorded every assistance by Messrs W, G. Glengarry, C. R. Caffin, S. G. Styehe, W. Robinson, and G. .Duncan. The prize money was divided among all the local clubs, with the exception of the Macandrew Bay Club. The representatives of that club made a great effort in the Youths’ Double Sculls, being narrowly beaten out of second place by the Port Chalmers men. Crews from the Queen’s Drive Club scored the mast, but, although the Drive senior crew was first tn finish in the four-oared event, the crew was disqualified for crossing the course of the Port Chalmers crew near the start. The disqualification resulted in the Otago Club’s crew being placed first, the only major honour won by the Otago men during the afternoon. The club’s representatives, however, were frequently in the minor placings in other events. Port Chalmers and North End Clubs also met with a good measure of success, and a feature of the day’s rowing was the fine performance of C. Neilson and J. Solomon, of the Port Chalmers Club, who reaped the reward of solid training by beating the Queen’s Drive crew (G. Clark and H. Pritchard) in the Senior Double Sculls, Mention should be made of the efforts of the coxswains of the various crews, the steering in every event being the best for some time past. CHAMPIONSHIP REGATTA The Auckland Rowing Association has forwarded its approval of the programme arranged by the Hamilton Regatta and Carnival Committee for the Dominion Rowing Championship regatta to be held at Hamilton on January 29. The order of the events may not necessarily be as shown below. The following is the programme:— Maiden Pair Oar, £5, one mile; Junior Four, clinker, £l2. one mile and a-half; Maiden Four, 10st., £9, one mile; New Zealand Championship Single Sculls, £l2, one mile and a-half: Maiden Pour, open, £ll. one mile; New Zealand Championship Fours, £SO, two miles; Maiden Double Sculls, £5, one mile; New Zealand Championship Double Sculls, £ls, one mile and a-half; Junior Fours, b. and b., £l2, one mile and a-half; New Zealand Championship Pair Oar, £ls, one mile and a-half; Youths’ Fours, £9, one mile; Ladies’ Challenge Cup, Consolation Fours, £2O, one mile and a-half. The total prize money allocated for the 12 events is £175. RIVERTON REGATTA The centre of attraction for Southland aquatic sportsmen, as well as for hundreds of holiday-makers, on Boxing Day was the Riverton regatta. Although the weather was threatening in the early morning, it later gave way to pleasant conditions. Interest was early shown in the rowing events, and the small wharf, the finishing post, was crowded by enthusiastic spectators, who witnessed several exciting and close finishes. For the earlier events, the water was unpleasantly choppy, and the starter (Mr G. L. Dickson) had often difficulty in lining the crews. Nevertheless, he coped with his task as efficiently as was possible under the adverse circumstances, and wnen, later in the day, the wind died down considerably and the course was in better order, he was able to despatch the various races with a promptness that gave general satisfaction. In order to take full advantage of the tide the Junior Fours and Senior Fours events were rowed over a course (about one and a-half miles) from the Narrows to the magazine, but the remaining rowing races (each of about one mile) took place on the usual churse below the wharf. The rowing events were all well filled numerically, and well contested from the point of view of oarsmanship. Notwithstanding that, unfortunately, no crews were present from Dunedin, the entries were greater than last year, over 15 more being taken in entry money. Apart from large entries and several close finishes, the standard of rowing was generally good, and although the usual young members’ faults were as noticeable as ever, yet the various events certainly gave every indication that the Southland province can produce a promising crop of oarsmen, a gratifying state of affairs in view of the fact that, in all probability, Southland will this season send an eight-oared crew - to compete in _ the forthcoming championship. As indicating the ambitious and popular nature of the fixture, it might be mentioned that over £IOO, of which the winning oarsmen took £73, was distributed as_ prize money. As far as the actual placing and prize money were concerned, the Riverton oarsmen put up the best showing, gaining seven firsts, two seconds, and two thirds. Included in this creditable performance was their annexing of the Seniors Fours Race the chief event on the programme. It is some 14 years since the, Riverton crew last won this race, and their win again this year proved a popular one among friends and rivals alike. The Invercargill crew, who emerged victorious in the Junior Fours event, were also warmly congratulated on their meritorious victory. The trophy money was divided as follows: —Riverton Club, £4O; Awarua Club, £l4 10s; Railway Club, £lO 10s; Invercargill Club, £8 10s. GENERAL NOTES Definite word has been received that the eight-oared bout for the Southland Racing Association was shipped by the Waipiata at Wellington early this week. The boat will reach Bluff to-morrow. For the instruction of novice oarsmen a system seldom found has been introduced by an Auckland club. An old practice four has been placed on the floor of the shed and coaching of newcomers or practice crews becomes a simple matter for all concerned. It is much easier then for the coach to stop the crew in the act of striking a hard beginning and point out any irregularities.