ROWING CREWS NOT FIT ENOUGH : NEED FOR TRAINING

Southland Times, Issue 23682, 3 December 1938, Page 15

ROWING CREWS NOT FIT ENOUGH : NEED FOR TRAINING

By

CLINKER

An improvement in conditions for rowing has been noticeable during the last week and crews from all clubs should be taking steps to make up for lost time and train regularly. Club crews are usually fairly fit at this stage but there is now a need for vigorous training, which, is an essential factor in rowing. With an improvement in the weather more work on the water should be possible. During the last week more crews in the Railway Club have been training, taking advantage of suitable tides and water. It is interesting to note that of the fours selected for the coming regattas three crews are stroked by members of the Sutton family. A fine example is being set the younger members of this club by the consistent training and hard work being put in by two seniors, J. Hogan and W. Little. For the pairs and sculls, these oarsmen are training exceptionally well and rowing in fine style. G. Hicks and O. McKay, two new members, have been included in the A youth crew and considering the short time they have been rowing, they are showing good form. , The B youths, all new members, still have the beginners’ faults but with more coaching they should improve because they are all so keen. The A maidens are rowing well except that the bow man is inclined to lose control of his slide at the beginning of the stroke. The No. 3 man is a tower of strength and is proving very useful in his position. More could be seen of the B maidens on the water.

Ably stroked by R. Sutton, the juniors are improving with every row. The No. 3 man is steadily getting back to his old form. No. 2 in this crew should give more attention to his body on recovery; this is the only way to keep the boat on an even keel between strokes. A fault that could be remedied by the bow man is that he is not getting his blade full. A point to remember in this direction is that water offers more resistance than air.

Tile senior crew began training last week-end with a substitute in the bow. With the return of the bow man (Mark West) this week this crew should settle down to hard training. This crew should try to develop a more suitable style. At present the members are only bullocking their way and, besides giving a ragged appearance, they have not the combination which is so essential in good rowing. The No. 3 man should try to finish in a more upright position; otherwise it may be said he is rowing the best oar in the boat. No. 2 should make better use of his weight, and also endeavour to loosen up his body work. Considering the short time now left before the Riverton regatta this crew should be putting in more training. It is regrettable that J. Keppel, who is now on the seriously ill list, has found it necessary to “hang up his togs” for good.

ROWING IN RIVERTON

More Riverton crews have been selected for the Boxing Day fixture. No alteration has been made to the previously selected crews. The additional selection is: —

B. Youths.—G. MacDougall (s), C. More, S. Eade, R. Hill. C Youths.—W. Anderson (s), T. Cook, McKenzie, A. Hazlemore. Youth sculls.—A: F. Hazelmore (s), D. Reidie (bow); B: E. Hill (s), R. Bailey (bow). Maiden sculls—A: A. Weir (s), W. Saunders (bow); B: J. Fleck (s), W. Bickley (bow). Youth pairs.—A: E. Hill (s), E. Ward (bow); B: F.' Hazelmore (s). D. Reidie (bow). Maiden pair.—J. Fleck (s), W. Bickley (bow). Most of the crews are' now settling down to solid training. The A youth crew tried conclusions with the junior crew and proved superior on the day. As was previously mentioned in these

columns, the youth crew should prove a good combination and this race bears out that statement.

Unfortunately, the junior crew is unable to get together during the week so that the amount of training done at the week-end is not of much value. The stroke rows a good oar so that if the rest of the crew were to develop his style an improvement would certainly be seen. No. 3 is inclined to lose his slide, and he should try to brace himself up a little. The bow man is a little erratic; therefore ke should attempt to steady up and combine with the others. Perhaps the fittest man in the boat is the No. 2 man. His example in this direction should be followed by the others.

The maidens will need to put in more training than in the past. This crew would be well advised to liven up its style more, and put some dash into its rowing. The veteran senior crew has begun training. Members should remember that a two-mile race is harder in later years so that solid training over the full course' should be the one aim.

It is a pity that some of the more experienced members do not take the youths in hand and put them through their first stages in the correct way. As all the B and C youths are “new hands,” it is neglect to let them continue without tuition. This club has been fortunate and has obtained a new practice four from A. M. Miller (Port Chalmers). As a trial, the senior crew took the boat well up the “narrows” in choppy water and under these conditions ,it proved seaworthy. All members are satisfied with the boat and there is now no excuse for not training. Several members have begun land training.

ACTIVITIES AT THE PORT

Members of the Awarua Club have been putting in some good training during the past week. As early as 6 a.m. crews may be seen on the water and this alone indicates the keenness shown by members of this club. Very seldom are there more than two crews out so early in. the day, but on one occasion four crews were seen on the water.

The pairs and sculls have now been sorted out, as many as four in some classes being selected. December 18 has been decided upon for these crews to race off to represent the club on Boxing Day. A change in the maiden crew has been made. Those selected are R. Little (s), J. Whaitiri, A. Ramsay and N. Robinson (bow). It might be said that this crew is the keenest in the shed. Since it was selected it has not missed a night’s training. As the members are all tyros it is to be hoped their keenness will bring them success. A fault that the No. 3 man has is his body work; if lie were to steady himself and give more attention to the style that is required, he would improve rapidly. This oarsman is finishing his stroke doubled forward off his hands, and his shoulders huddled. The correct style is to throw the shoulders back and finish with the hands outstretched, the body being in an upright position for a short pause. Another fault that concerns the entire crew is in letting the body swing backwards and forwards. To keep the boat on an even keel the crew must pull with the body in the boat and not out of it. Perhaps the worst offender is the No. 2 man. However, if this crew pays attention to its coach all these faults should be corrected.

More could' be seen of the A youths on the water. With a little more coaching the B crew should turn out a good combination. This crew should accept more of the advice of experienced oarsmen.

It is pleasing to see the A juniors rowing so well. The stroke of this crew is rushing his slide work. An improvement in this respect would be of advantage. Much more could be seen of the B juniors on the water. This crew as it appears on paper is definitely a better crew than the other but will not win races without training. In the few spins this crew has had it has combined well and, if fit, will give the other juniors all they want. The same fault is noticeable with the No. 3 man of this crew, as with the No. 3 man in the maidens. On the completion of his stroke he is finishing in a huddled position and is therefore not swinging with the rest of the crew. Apart from this fault the body work in this boat is excellent. Only on one occasion has the senior B crew been seen on the water. There is no doubt that this crew should prove a good combination, but unless its members make up their minds to train it is not expected that the club will consider them for a regatta. Entrance fees in senior races are no small matter so that before being entered, a crew is expected to have more than one row a week. The senior A crew is getting in some good work, but the No. 3 man should remember that his training comes first. The bow man would do better to throw his shoulders back with more vigour. More hill work may be suggested to the No. 2 man. His present condition will prove a decided handicap. This crew should remember that two miles is the distance for the seniors. Training over short distances is now expected to be cut out.

INVERCARGILL CLUB

Because of the unsuitable weather for rowing the Invercargill Club has found it necessary to extend its “learn to row” week until about the middle of December. So far there has been

quite a number taking advantage of this opportunity to learn to row and they are progressing very well. It is pleasing to see that several members are receiving tuition in sculling under the capable supervision of Mr J. B. Pascoe. It is a credit to Mr Pascoe that these members are progressing well.

STEWART ISLAND CLUB

It is encouraging to see that at least one Southland club is endeavouring to advance rowing by assisting another body in forming a club. At a meeting of the Awarua Club at the week-end it was decided to give a practice pair and a double scull—and as much useful material as many be spared—to those who are taking steps to form a club at Stewart Island. Unfortunately, the Awarua Club is not in the position to hand over a “four” but it is to be hoped that some other club will perhaps be able to do so.

At the head of these arrangements at the island is Mr Gordon Barton, a former member of the Awarua Boating Club and a former Southland rowing representative. With such a capable man at the head, the island supporters should be more than hopeful of good results if the club is started. Reference was made in previous notes that sculling should be a subject to be taken up with the coaches of all clubs. Mr J. B. Pascoe, of the Invercargill Club, has made a start and is giving his pupils expert tuition. Now that a start has been made it is hoped that other clubs will do likewise. Mr P. Vallis, Otago, was a visitor to the port club at the week-end and he also was seen giving a member a lesson in sculling.