ROWING NOTES

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XXVI, Issue 8421, 21 January 1899, Page 3

ROWING NOTES

(By Outrksuer.)

As the crews from this district which iiro to compete at the Auckland regattas arc to take their departure to-morrow morning, it may not be out of place to pass a. few remarks on their form and to indulge in a speculation as to their chances. The Gishorne Rowing Club representatives will be H. K. Dodd (bow), L. B. Shcrriff (2), W. Duggan (3), R. D. B. Robinson (str). Tliis crew which is, I timlersfcnnd, entered for the maiden and junior events at the Association and Auckland regattas, is a fairly good combination. Their weight awl strength are undeniable, but there is slich a variety of styles in the boat that they have not the uniformity of rowing And movement necessary to ensure the best results from the material. They are rowing a long steady stroke, not perhaps quite so clean as possible, catching well together, nnd getting the weight on at the commencement. It is in the finish and recovery that an a crew they do not show to the best advantage. It is too late now to go into individual defects with any prospect of improvement, but I would impress upon them the necessity of shooting the hands away at the end of the stroke clear of the knees before tho body moves forward. "They would find an improvement in both finish and swing. Speculating on their chances, I have no doubt whatever that they will give a good account of themselves, for going at top they get fine pace out of the boat. In calm water they should just about win the maiden race.

The Poverty Bay Rowing Club representatives, comprising J. Poolc (how), A. Kirk (2), C. Taylor (3), and J. Webb (str), ! are a wiry lot of men in perfect condition. They are rowing well together, with pood catch and swing, and plenty of weight. The stroke is cWn and crisp, but rather inclined to bo of the lightning order, and with any but men in the pink of condition must prove a handicap evon in ,i mile race. With n, slightly slower stroke they would probably lose nothing in pace, and would gain in staying power. It should be an excellent rare between this and the Oisbome crew, and the maiden crew which beats them will be a veiy good crew indeed.

Another crew from the Gishnrnc shed • ] H. Robinson (bow), W. Harding (2), H. Syincs (3), C. Maikmaini (sir.) is in tiainiiig to meet a junior crow of the Napier cluli early noxi month. This .-row has been in regular training for some weeks, and the men should be in fine condition. They have had the services of a good coach, and have under none considerable improvement. They have in practice boon rowing a very fast .stroke, too f.tst, in my opinion, and they niiuht with advantage apply to themselves the remarks as to the Poverty Bay crew. Stroke has the common fault here of dropping his head and cramping his breathing valves at the commencement of the stroke. Three is rowing as veil as anyone in the be.at. Two rolls terribly — he should have more flexibility in bis arms at the finish, and nun c rigidity in bis body. Tin; whole crew should liuld their slides, letter. Judging by the trials, this crew has had with their own seniors and the Poverty Bay crew, they ought to be able to beat their opponents. They certainly would for half-a-mile ; it it. the. last quarter which, with their fast and tiring Btroke, they will find nurd to get.