Rowing Events At Bluff Regatta To Be More Interesting

Southland Times, Issue 23989, 2 December 1939, Page 16

Rowing Events At Bluff Regatta To Be More Interesting

By

CLINKER

By arranging the programme in a different manner from the usual, the Bluff Regatta Society is endeavouring to create more interest in the rowing events at the regatta. Where there was an interval of half an hour between races there will now be in some cases only 15 minutes. With the programme starting at the usual time, 10.30 a.m., it is hoped that, allowing for unavoidable delays, all the rowing events will be completed by 2.30 p.m. In this way it is hoped that the races will be more interesting from the public’s view, because as soon as one race is finished, the next will be just about to start. Where a club would have two crews in successive races it would mean that four coxswains would be required. Therefore all clubs would be well advised to have the necessary number of coxswains available so that there should not be any delay in events. Ideal rowing conditions prevailed again this week and all clubs have been putting in some good work. Invercargill oarsmen are still very keen; in fact, it might be said that at present this club must have the fittest members of any. Just one row a day is not satisfying these members; they have at least two spins in the evening, then a three or four-mile run and finish up with physical jerks in the pavilion. Some members of the Awarua Club took part in exercises on the sand hills last week-end. Chasing k a football, which was a popular way of getting fit last season, took up most of the time on this occasion. MORE JUNIORS

Another junior crew from this club has been selected, but because of the uncertainty of its members about train-

ing it is not expected that it will be entered at the Christmas and New Year fixtures. It is expected that the sculls and pairs to represent this club will be announced this week-end. Morning training is still being continued by the B seniors, and if other crews were to follow suit there would undoubtedly be an improvement in the fitness of the members. STILL NO SENIORS Riverton has not yet found a senior crew and as there are only three weeks to train for the Riverton regatta there is not likely to be any crew to participate in this class. The junior crew was out for one spin, but the attendance has been very irregular and it is yet indefinite whether that this club will have a crew in this class either. However, the youths and maidens are training fairly well and if they continue to do so they should both stand a good chance on Boxing Day. Both Allison and Finme are sculling well, and should prove strong contestants in the senior class. Railway is still training consistently and the coaches are putting in some very good work with the more youthful members, Physical jerks and road work are also very popular with the members of this club and there is no doubt that the benefit which is gained in this fashion will be one of the deciding factors over the last 100 yards to the finishing post. It is expected that in view of the centennial regatta this season, the eight will be put into commission again very soon, and if- the crew which is to represent the province is selected early and given a fair chance to train there is no reason why it should not have strong claims this season.