ROWING.

Otago Witness, Issue 2803, 4 December 1907, Page 36

ROWING.

! BY STROXF. The various orews training for the Boxing Day regatta have no reason to complain of bad water, the past week having b*n an ideal one for practising, and if the same conditions keep up for another week or two the crews should go to the post all very fit and in the pink of condi- \ tion. Port Chalmers has had even better water ; than the Upper Harbour, and the Queen's ■ Drive Club took advantage of the calm ! evenings to row off their President's Fours* I which resulted in a win for D. M'Donald'* • crew, which defeated Brarfchwaite's- crew ' by half a length after a ding-dong struggle. . This club h*s several new members this ! season, who only want a bit of coaching to bring them out. I have not heard their regatta crews yet, but expect they will, as usual, have some "dark horses" for the Dunedin crews to struggle with on regatta day. A very good senior crew could be got together for the best boat with Braithwaite, Porter, and Co., and I have no doubt we shall see all these old heroes getting into harness shortly. The Port Club has done no rowing yet, but now that the new shed has been opened! members will, I expect, settle down to some regular practice. I hear there is a warm Senior crew from tbi3 shed which will show up well in tha best boat. Although the veteran Keenan not in his old seat (he haying finally decided to give it best), he will be available for coaching purposes, and this should prove of great benefit to the crews. Geo. South has been unfortunate- in> having a poisoned hand, which has incapacitated him. from rowing on Boxing Day, but he hopes, to be able to row at the March, regatta. Speaking of the opening of the- new shed, the function on Saturday was a gxeat success. The lady friends of the club were ! taken a very enjoyable cruise in some five or six motor boats, and afterwards supplied | with afternoon tea, etc., Secretary Brailey I having charge of affairs. The roll-of-honour board is one of which this club might well be' proud, the number I of Senior Fours and Pairs won being not 1 a few. The name of Fl Keenan appears some 16 times, all Senior events; George South soming next with 12. Visiting clubs to the regatta this rear will have plenty of room to house their boats in this shed. The old building used! to be very cramped when an extra boat or two came in, but there wilt be no fear of crowding now. The Ofcago Club crews are all training steadily. Another maiden sculling crew has been selected— Melhop and Bannister, who form a strong pair, but as yet are very raw ; a week or two of good coaching should soon make a difference. Bennet's No. 2 Maiden Four are unlikely starters, one or two of its members having been transferred. The Youths' Fours are training steadily, but I would like to see their coaoh a little more regular in turning up. Hutchison. No. 2 in the Junior Four, has chanored places with Morice, who was rowing with 'the Seniors. The latter have been doing some good long spins, and takinsr advantage of every fine night. Their coach ia taking a big- interest in them, and it won't be his fault if they don't make a good show en race day. I noticed them out on Monday nierht, and was a little disappointed with them, the stroke being: ver short. No doubt, however, this will be remedied* It has been decided to ro\r all the Senior races at Port Chalmers in best_ boat*. This is a step in the right direction, although there are several reasons given_ by some of the clubs against it, the principal one beina tliat it is too rough for these boats at Port. But I might point out that it is not, always too rousth at Port, and even if it is a bifc too choppy the crew» can always fall back to the clinker. Certain it is that if we have Senior men rowing at our regattas, and have best boats in the sheds, let the men learn to row these boats, otherwise we will never make headway with our rowing, the standard of which has, I am afraid, fallen a bit low the last year or two. At several of the northern re(*atfcae the Junior Fours, as well as the Senior events, are rowed in the best boats, and I am. sure once oarsmen can row these boats they will never want to go back to the clinker. The North End Club crews are training steadily. The Senior crew are putting in good work, and rowinjr a nice long stroke. Thp same applies to the Juniors. The D.A.8.C., whose crows are- mosfclv this vearV men, and therefore mairlf>n6. are out practicing- every nteht. The Maiden scullers are ecullinz well, but should not crouch too much. They oan wo 11 afford to sit up more. This club i« st!H in an uneasr position as regards the removal of its shed, not knowing wherher they might have to go any moment. It is to be hoped that they will not require to shift before the /season fe ove.£«

Ie /season.