AQUATICS. » ' ■

Taranaki Herald, Volume XL, Issue 8981, 14 January 1891, Page 2

AQUATICS.

WAITARA REGATTA. TIPS BY "STEEROAR." Our annual regatta is almost upon us again, and I had almost forgotten to tender my accustomed tips, but I shall, I trust, be there in time if I hurry up, which Borne of the crews now practising will have to do if they desire to catch the judge's eye first. There will, 1_ firmly believe, be witnessed on the river on Friday next some of the closest finishes, and most hotly contested racing ever seen on the Waitara River. The Ladies' Race is creating a lot of interest, and will, as it should, be the event of the day. I pause here to congratulate them on the excellent form they display, it is astonishing, but nevertheless a fact, that a lady, never having rowed before, after about three spins can handle her scull as well as some of the boys who have been at it for a week. The first on • the list is the Maiden Race, I place them after a most exciting and desperate struggle —Waitara, 1'; Tikorangi, 2; Clifton, 3. The next to face the starter are the ladies. The first to catch thewater are the Waitara girls, red and white. Result : Waitara, 1; Tikorangi, 2 ; Clifton, 3; amid tremendous cheering and yelling from "3000 throats (if it is a fine day). The next to come forth are the juniors, and here we shall have I some of the prettiest pulling of the day, and I should place them the same as the two previous races, but unless the stroke and bow oars alter very materially, I cannot do so. The Waitara stroke does not come forward exactly as I should like ; he seems to dwell on his stroke, and has not the dash he had last year. The bow oar is much worae, and can't get forward at all as he should, so, unless they improve, I place them : Tikorangi, 1 ; Waitara, 2 ; Clifton, 3. It is a treat to watch the Tikorangi lads ; they go at it with a will, and keep splendid time. No. 4. The Champion Race. Four starters ; 2 from the Waitara Club, 1 Onehunga, and I Clifton ; and h> re I must congratulate the Onehunga boys for their pluck and energy in coming to contest the Championship for three successive years ; the first year they were successful in winning both the Maiden and Champion ; last year after the best race I ever saw they were second ; this time I place them Waitara, 1 ; Onehunga, 2 ; with the other jokers ding donging away for third, place. Then we have the 4 oared boat race which is post entry. Then comes The District Whaleboat Race which Clifton ought to win with ease, but somehow I don't think they will. Then the band will play.