NOT DONE WITH YET

Southland Times, Issue 23047, 14 November 1936, Page 4

NOT DONE WITH YET

JAPANESE AS OARSMEN The Japanese are not done with in rowing yet. Their freak ‘methods ax the English Henley and at the Berlin Games failed so signally that they have been dismissed from rowing thought. However, Phillip Carpmael, who rowed No. 4 in London Rowing Club eight in Victoria in 1934, sounds a warning note. Japan, he says, will develop her rowing technique for she is only in her rowing infancy. She may become a factor in world rowing. At Henley and the Olympiad it was the distance that found them out. “The Japanese caused tremendous excitement and interest, and gave us much food for thought and a little fear after their decisive and almost supernatural victories at Marlow Regatta,” writes Carpmaei. “They won over crews which, although not first-class, were just about Grand standard. “At Marlow they seemed content to be led off, and then by dint of terrific spurts up to 50 for about half a minute duration, would gain from half to threequarters of a length at once. They beat Thames and a college crew in this manner easily. “Henley appeared to be too far for them. Although their sudden spurts from 35 to 45 gained them distance in the first half-mile, they could never gain a decisive lead, and towards the finish they lost the power that had made their spurts effective. “They are very attractive to watch, were well drilled, and their bladework was perfect. Their blades were longer in the water than can generally be reconciled with their high striking rates, although, of course, their shafts were short outboard. They combined the straight backs and holding sides of orthodoxy with the Fairbairn technique on swivels. “I think, however, they would have gone faster with a little more leg drive and naturalness. They always seemed more tired at the end of a race than they should have been. But considering they have been rowing for such a short time, it will be particularly interesting to think what they will be like with a few years’ maturity. “They would go down to the start about half an hour before their race, and in advance of everyone else. No one ever knew why, but the oarsmen in general said that they -went below Temple Island to burn joss sticks.”