ROWING

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23370, 9 December 1937, Page 4

ROWING

By Outrigger

REGATTA DATES December 27. —Macandrew Bay regatta. January I.—Bluff regatta. February 12.—Burkes-St. Leonards regatta. THE OAMARU REGATTA Although conditions were unfortunately poor for racing, the regatta conducted by the Oamaru Boating Club on Saturday was, it is generally agreed, a successful fixture. Indeed, the club is to be congratulated on the management of the regatta. The fact that over 100 oarsmen from outside clubs were present is sufficient testimony of the popularity of the fixture, and that the efforts of the Oamaru Club were appreciated. It is a matter for regret, however, that the public support accorded was not what the visitors expected it would be. Oamaru Club members set themselves out to make the stay of the visitors an enjoyable one. They were hospitably entertained and generally their needs were fully provided for. A service that was much appreciated was the unloading of the boats, which, fully rigged, were awaiting the visitors on their arrival. An unfortunate feature of the regatta was the poor rowing conditions. A fairly strong wind brought on a heavy swell, which made conditions fairly difficult, particularly on that part of the diagonal course which led across the harbour mouth. Later, however, the sea became somewhat calmer. The regatta, therefore, provided a good test of “rough weather” oarsmanship, and it was noticeable that, some reputations were lost in this connection, a fact which was reflected in the results. However, the experience on rough water might prove valuable in later regattas. One of the outstanding features was the success of crews from the Otago Club. Altogether, the honours in five races were annexed by that club, first places being gained in the following events:—Single Sculls, Senior Fours, Junior Fours, Junior Double Sculls, and Youths’ Fours Oamaru achieved two successes, in the Maiden Fours and the Maiden Double Sculls; and Port Chalmers won the remaining event, the Youths’ Double Sculls. The success of the fixture augurs well for the future of the Oamaru Club. In this connection it is not beyond the bounds of possibility that it should find itself in the position to run a fully-financed regatta next season; that is, if club members work to maintain the rate of progress. . . The officials appointed to control this year’s regatta were:—Starter,_ Mr E. V. Fairbairn; umpire and judges— Messrs W. B. Robinson, M. K. McCulloch, G. Grenfell, R. J. Hinkley; shore stewards—J. Mackie (convener). R. Morris, C. Rennie, B. Patterson. OfficiSls of the club are;—President, Mr J. Mackie: club captain, R. Morris: deputy captain, D. Millar; honorary secretary, H. G. Daniell; honorary treasurer D. T. Marshall: committee—D. Stronach, H. Tempero, R. Hammill, A. Robertson, A. Mclntosh, C. Rennie, A. Stichman. T. Marshall. OTAGO CLUB The Otago Club will conduct the Wilson Fours on Saturday week, December 18. The race, a sealed handicap, will be rowed over a course of two miles. All crews will start together and the result will be decided on times after the handicaps have been announced. The crews taking part will be as follows: Senior Four No. 1: J. P. Valhs, C. E. C. Johnson. W. N. Binnie, C, W. J. Brown. . , Senior Four No. 2: J. R. S. Petrie, L. J. Davidson, J. R. Chradus, P. T. Jack. Junior Four: A. N. Lysaght, I. W. S. Love, A. S. Frame, W. E. Buxton. Maiden Four: J. A. Irvine, E. H. McArthur, K. A. Moore, E. A. Perano. Youths’ Four: R. Marshall. W. J. Brown, W. N. Mitchell, L. D. Bewley. The following officials have been appointed to control the Wilson Fours: — Handicappers—Messrs J. F. McGrath, J. K. Barclay, and F. Brough; timekeepers—Messrs J. F. McGrath, S. G. Styche, and C. R. Caffln; stdrter, Mr E. V. Fairbairn; judge, Mr W, B. Robinson. The following crews have been selected for the Novice Fours, an event to be held at a later date:—M. J. Brady (str), S. Elliffe, K. J. McCorkindale, and P. Dolan; T. M. Lohrey (str). L. Hay, R. Robson, and F. Scott; E. Brown (str), E. Johnson, L. Beck, G. Sheddan; R. Marshall (str), R. Hornal, B. Brown, and G. McMillan. Owing to oarsmen not being available, it has been found necessary to make alterations in two of the crews for the Macandrew Bay regatta. In the Junior Fours, No. 2 crew, A. F. Martin will be replaced by W. N. Williams. and W. J. Brown will replace M. Brady in the Youths’ Double Sculls, No. 2 crew. The senior crew commenced training in the Miller four last week-end, and apparently were well satisfied with the new shell. ROWING SHORTS The Otago Association’s appeal for financial support has not met with the response anticipated. In fact, it is reported to have been exceedingly poor so far. It is intended to launch an appeal for individual contributions from each club member. The association’s first object is to raise £SO, the amount of the contribution expected towards the expenses of the Empire Games erews, but then, later, there is the financing of the Otago crews for the championships to be considered. The association has sufficient funds with which to carry on in the meantime, but there is no need to stress the fact that, unless a good response to the appeal is made, insurmountable difficulties will be encountered. A dance to raise funds for the Otago Association will be held in the Otago Club's pavilion on Saturday night. All oarsmen are expected to give their support. The programme for the Macandrew Bay regatta has been drawn up, and it is understood to be substantially the same as last year’s. The programme now awaits the approval of the Otago Association.

Crews from the Petone and Wellington Rowing Clubs and the Star Boating Club took part in the annual triangular contest for the Norton Cup, held over the Korokoro course in Wellington harbour, op Saturday afternoon. Petone won the cup with 33 points. Star gaining 23, and Wellington 21. A meeting of the committee of the Dunedin Regatta Club will be held next week, when the dale of the annual regatta will be selected. The programme of events and the amount of prize money to be allotted will also be considered at the meeting. NEW REGATTA CLUB The need of Christchurch oarsmen for a regatta over championship distances will probably be fulfilled toward the end of February. Last week a new regatta club, called the Lake Forsyth Regatta Club, was formed by city rowing enthusiasts, and plans are already under way for the first regatta This will mean that, after a lapse of 12 years, organised rowing will again be held on the lake. “At Lake Forsyth it is possible to get a two miles championship course," said Mr D. St. C. Gunn, at whose suggestion some 20 members of the four Christchurch clubs met in the Canterbury boathouse to consider the position. “This would prove of invaluable experience to rowers. Akaroa has only about a 70-chain course, the Christchurch course at Stewart’s Gully is only little more than a mile while at Kaiapoi the races are rowed in half-mile heats. The rowers need practice over championship distances before taking part in later championships. Mr Cradock, of Little River has advised me that the lake is in excellent condition for rowing.” concluded Mr Gunn. Mr H, Bliss, of the SumnerRedcliffs Club, agreed that a longer course was desirable, but he thought it was possible to obtain one of one mile and a-half in the Estuary. The motion to hold a regatta at Lake Forsyth was carried unanimously. Officers were elected, and a committee was set up with representatives on it from each of thp city rowing

clubs. The Akaroa. Cure and Timaru Rowing Clubs arc to be approached. •HEAD OF THE HARBOUR” Inaugurating what is to be an annual race among the secondary schools of Auckland for the “ Head of the Harbour” Mount Albert Grammar School outrowed Sacred Heart College over a mile course along the waterfront m Auckland Harbour. The event was contested under the aegis of the newly-formed Secondary Schools’ Rowing Association, and it is hoped that eventually all seven Auckland seconda’-y schools will take part Already it is anticipated that four will be competing next year— Mount Albert. Sacred Heart, Seddon Memorial Technical College, and Otahuhu Technical High School. From the start Mount Albert had a slight lead and made a good pace for a third of the course, rowing a 36 stroke. Sacred Heart was rowing a long, steady stroke, but their average was only about 28 Mount Albert gradually drew away, and weie not seriously challenged at any stage, gaining a clear victory. Unlike their opponents, the Sacred Heart oarsmen had not had previous racing experience.