ROWING

Southland Times, Issue 19458, 24 January 1925, Page 14

ROWING

(By “Stroke.”) The week’s activities have again been broken to a certain extent by reason of the numbers of rowers at present attending the military camp. Crews are, however, preparing for the Invercargill Regatta on the 28th. The remaining races of the Riverton regatta were rowed on Saturday last under ideal weather conditions, and a fair number of spectators were present. As Awarua and Invercargill crews were not present, the events were not productive of much interest, except amongst the Riverton and Railway supporters, but the contests were close and well fought. In the maiden sculls a collision was recorded a few yards from the starting post. I understand that this did not embarrass either crew, and the race, won by Railway, was terminated without dissension. Railway’s only defeat was in the junior fours. Their crew was not up to regatta standard, and was practically a scratch combination. Riverton had things all their own way at the commencement of the race, but Railway appeared to pull themselves together in the last half-mile, and finished only a length astern. RAILWAY. During the week Railway crews have been greatly broken up owing to many of the members being in camp, but on Wednesday and Thursday they had returned, and are now settling down again. The first and second youths’ and the first maidens have been altered, but should make a good showing with plenty of hard training. Railway are taking advantag'e of all available tides, but are wisely spending the off days in putting in plenty of track work. It is that sort of training that wins races, and Railway have this season demonstrated the fact that the fit crew must come out on top. The first youths’ crew is going well, but the three man should remember to keep his shoulders up at the finish of the stroke and not crouch. This crew behind a stroke like D. Pay should make a name for itself. The second youths’ has changed its stroke and with hard training will not be far behind. The stroke should remember not to pump-handle, as this fault will cause the boat to roll. The first maidens have lost the services of S. Brown, who is not available for regattas. D. McKenzie, who is replacing him, has a lot to learn, but is shaping well for a new member. The other three men are hefty and in good training, but they should pull straight in the boat and not lean out. The second maiden crew has not yet been selected.

The senior crew is still training hard and, as has been the case all this season, will take a lot of beating. Three is still the only man in the boat who is holding his slide, and bow has still that habit of leaning out. Railway has good cause to congratulate itself upon the successes gained at Riverton last Saturday. Their record this season will be hard to beat. _ INVERCARGILL. Things seem to be at a complete standstill at the Invercargill headquarters, and from all accounts many of the crews will not be participating in the Invercargill Regatta. In fact, one of the most prominent members informed me that it is certain that the maiden fours will not start, and the only crew he is at all sure of is the senior fours. The sheds have been practically deserted since the Bluff regatta, and the men appear to have lost all interest in. the game.

Such a statement from one who has the interests of the Club at heart is really seri-. ous, and if what he says is correct, it will not be long before the Club will be faced with disaster. It is hard indeed to find the reason for this dry rot that has set in, particularly this season, more especially as many of the members are outwardly keen and willing. The obvious reason, of course, would be the result of the recent regattas, but those who know the Invercargill men also know that they are not disappointed pothunters, but are rowers who take part in the sport for its own sake. It is to be hoped that now the junior members have returned from the military camp, the Captain and Committee will endeavour to stimulate interest in the forthcoming event. AWARUA.

The Port Club is still as active as ever in preparing for the season’s last regatta. Heavy weather during the last days of the week has hampered active work on the harbour, but the crews have been keeping in splendid condition. They expect to do great things at the Invercargill gathering, and by all accounts they will not be disappointed.