BOWING.

Otago Witness, Issue 2817, 11 March 1908, Page 58

BOWING.

EEGATTA FIXTUEES. March 23. — Dunedin (Port Chalmers). March 23. — Napier (Championship). Queenstown — Easter Saturday, April 18. ' Bl M'KOKF. The Invercargill regatta is now a thing of the past. The southerners were favoured with a fairly good day,- although the water fox some of the races was pretty lumpy, especially when the big race was on, but it did n6t interfere to such an extent as to prevent the best crews winning in I each event. I Once again have our Invercargill friends ! proved too superior for us. Our chosen [ crew was outclassed. Starting at 36 to the minute, the Otago crew could only gain a very slight lead on Baestian's crew, who rowed a long, driving stroke which soon told its tale, and .the boats had not gone a great distance before the latter crew took the lead, and thereafter held the race safe. Whittaker put in a good spurt at the finish and -drew- up a length or two, but the race was practically over by -then, and although it made the finish a little closer it could plainly be seen that the Southlanders finished strong and fresh and could easily have made the gap between the boats a larger one. The Senior Fours Race proved a good thing for the Port crew, and although the Invercargill orew were handicapped in No. 2 breaking a piece off his oar at half distance, still from all accounts it was not by " any means a whole blade which was broken, or even half a blade, but about a quarter of a blade, and I doubt if Johnston had possessed his whole blade during the full progress of the race whether it would have altered the reuslt of the race, a 6 the Port boys won by the large margin o£ 100 ya-r^cls an-d finisHe<i I with ease. However, whatever luck was going was certainly not with Invercargill, and it is to be hoped that no 1 broken blades will happen at Port Chalmers on the 23rd, when these two crews will i most likely meet again. I The Otago crew in the above race was completely outclassed, and the want of I greater length, weight, and strength was sadly felt. The crew had shown good form before going south, but they were not equal to a hard two-mile race against such doughty opponents as the" Port and | Invercargiljt. However, they are in no way disheartened, and are looking forward to having another trial in best boats against their victors on Anniversary Day. No doubt, with better water and a shorter course they will show to better advantage. Since returning from the south the Port Glub (which, by the way» headed the prize money easily and were placed in all the events but one) has had a bjisy week, the' success at the late regatta evidently giving the men good heart, as the shed has been active with men training for the 23rd. The senior crew lost no time in getting into their best boat, and so far have shaped very well considering, the few spins they have had. No,- 2 is still very rough, and he and bow are a bit inclined to roll about in the boat, especially at the end of the stroke. No doubt their ooach (Keenan) will soon reotify this. The crew's . blade work is good and clean, and with a little brushing up generally they^-will be a very tough proposition for any crew to down on regatta day. The junior fours" are also getting into good form. This crew does good water work, but the body swing is etill poor, • whilst stroke and No. 3 are halfway back on their slides before using the shoulders at all. They would do well to remember that the lift must be done with the shoulders at the commencement of the stroke, and not halfway through. M'Donald a-nd Jones make a good combination in the Pairs, and, having youth on therr side, should give a good account of themselves. The D.A.B.p. crews continue to do good work at the Otago. shed. I hear, however, that their maiden paire are doubtful starters. If this is true it is a pity, as the ' i club has not a great many orews for the ! regatta, and their supporters and friends , ' are anxious to see the club's representa- j 1 tives do well, as a win or two now is just . what is wanted to arouse fresh interest in the club, which is having a trying time just now. I hope Skipper Shankland wjll see that the pair chosen will be starters and good trier*. .' . R'apson and Breeze are training well for the Pairs, but as they go out in the mornings it is hard to find out how they are going. Breeze is working\ at night just now, and it speaks well for-both his partner and himself for training under such difficulties. First past the judge on the 23rd would be a just reward for them. The Otago Club's crews are jogging along quietly/ under their various- coaches. The junior four has at last got together, making their first spin on Monday night, when the water was very rough and no good work could be done. The men. however, have been doing a lot of pair-oar work, which should help them a lot in the four. Both sculling (maiden and junior) orowe are practising- steadily. Bannister (bow in No. 2 orew) is a bit late with his shoulders at the catch, but otherwise is rowing well. At the end of this week I would like to sea them do come fast work. They have had enough slow stuff now. and should make ifc a bit quicker. The senior scullers have been out regulArly and are slowly getting into form. I Bow is still a long way from condition, but improves daily. 'The club's double sculling race i« now on, for which there are four orews. Scolon is sculling well, also Quelch. Queloh's bow should be a bit smarter with hi« hands. Melhop and Powell are a very uneven pair, but they manage to get along pretty well. Stroke should try and not be so stiff, and should swing back a little ! more without overdoing it. The attraction at this shed, however, is Bart: Provo's ladies' crew, which the | veteran has out every night and whioh he lis taking a lot of interest in. The girls go out. in all weathera, and their, ooach .teaches them to row their boat broadside on, and any- other way, . So far I.hay.a not heard of Any other crews, but iw doubt the other dub* will toon get their lady admirers to take seats in a boat and form crews, so thai Provo'a oarewomen will not have thing* ajl their own way. It is many years now since a Jadies' race was on the programme at our regattas, and I think it only wants reviving and a few ladies to com© forward for it to be one of the most attractive races of the day.

The members of the various sheds her* are" now beginning to look forward to a trip" to Queenstown at Easter as a final flutter for the season. The Lake residents are still working hard, and are in- great hopes that their regatta will prove one of the most successful of the year, and I am sure it only wants proper support from the Duneriin oarsmen and good weather to make it so.