ROWERS BENEFIT BY THE BETTER WEATHER

Southland Times, Issue 23740, 11 February 1939, Page 15

ROWERS BENEFIT BY THE BETTER WEATHER

By

CLINKER

The recent improvement in the weather has affected the attendance at the various clubs during the last week. One result of the better conditions has been the number of new members joining the Invercargill club. On a recent occasion at least 25 new members were awaiting their first row. As only two new members, may be taken out at a time it is hoped that, although their progress may be slow, these members will not lose their keenness. There is a certain advantage in taking on this sport in the middle of the season because by the end of the season a new member has passed the hardest part of

the learner’s stage and when he begins next season’s rowing, he will have gained a fair amount of knowledge, so that his rowing from the beginning of the new season will be very interesting. At this stage “Clinker” advises all new members that they are making a bad mistake when they try to put all their weight and strength into their boatwork. To become a good oarsman a member must learn to use his oar correctly and develop a good style before he thinks about, putting in any weight. Correct blade and body work are more essential to a new member than is his bullocking weight. Members of the Railway club have also been taking advantage of the fine weather by putting in some good training. A series of sculling races was held last week-end and' some good sculling and keen racing were seen. It is the intention of this club to send crews to compete at the Port Chalmers fixture.

OLD MEMBERS SHOW INTEREST A very pleasing feature about this club is the interest taken by the older members and supporters. It is very encouraging to younger members to see such keenness displayed by the veterans. With the exception of the youths, the members of the Riverton club are not very regular attenders at the shed. Al-

though it has not yet been decided, the youth and junior crews are hopeful of competing at the South Island championships at Port Chalmers. L. Dean, who left the district before the beginning of the season, is back among his club mates, and will probably be seeking a seat in the junior crew. Unfortunately, through lack of members, this club often places a youth oarsman in a maiden or junior event. Although it is undoubtedly making up another crew, at the same time it may be spoiling the chances of those mem■bers again competing in their original classes. An instance of this occurred at the Waihola regatta when two youths were included in the junior crew. It. the event - of that crew winning, as it nearly did, it would have prevented the two youths in question from competing either as youth or maiden oarsmen again. Therefore, by carrying out that move to win one race, it spoils their chances of winning in their other classes. Other than the seniors, wno are competing at the New Zealand championships today, the members of the Awarua club have not been very active. It is almost certain that crews from this club will also be competing at the Port Chalmers regatta and, in view of this fixture, it is understood that crews will be starting serious training this weekend. There are bound to be many changes in the port crews for this regatta because many members are not available. The chances of the seniors at Picton today are quite good considering the good work they have been doing during their recent training. There is no doubt that the Clifton senior crew is the favourite, but if fitness counts at all, the northern crew will certainly know the race is on. At the Hamilton

regatta recently, the Clifton seniors won their event by .eight lengths. This decisive win alone must gain for them strong claims for today’s race. THE EIGHT Several members of the Southland eight gathered at the Railway club’s sheds last week-end and began giving their boat the usual preliminary overhaul, This season’s representatives have not yet had a row together, but it is hoped that they will be given a trial this week-end. It is time that the coach of this crew saw the members rowing in the eight because there is no doubt that several changes in positions in the boat will have to be made before the best results are obtained. When the final positions have been arranged there should be no time lost in training, because good combination takes a long time to develop. There is no doubt that K the success of this year’s crew will depend on the amount of training in the boat, so that it is up to the coach to do his part and get the crew on the water.