Aquatic.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 5804, 18 December 1886, Page 3

Aquatic.

A LOOK AROUND.

[By M. Brace.]

The first regatta of the season has passed away, aorl the events resulted as [expected. Kn.ia.poi won the two senior races, and Canterbury the junior. The Canterbury juniors have now, I believe, rowed in five races, of which they have won two. At Akaroa in 1885 they won the double aculla ; at Lyttelton on J*n. 1 of tbe present year they finished first, but were disqualified for turning the buoy from the wrong Bide, and finished second in the pairs ; at the Christchurch regatta were swamped in the double sculls, which Lyttelton won. Dunnage and Macbeth are a splendid pair, although many prefer the Lyttelton team Sinclair and Donovan. For my parfc, give me the Canterbury boye. Circumstances favourable they should win the Pairs and Doubla Sculls at Lytteltcn.

Many have dug deeply in their endeavour to discover why such poor rowing is seen in some of tbe river races ; but Ido not thick anyone has yet hit the right nail. The majority are inclined to put it down to the fact that men start to row on a slide before they have mastered the fixed seat. True enough in one respect. No man should be allowed to row on a elide until he has been well coached on a fixed seat. But my idea is this : A man joinß a Club. He wishes to take part in a race, and forthwith enters. The crewa are drawn, and he is given, as a rule, a fortnight in which to be coached and trained. How is this to be done ? li. is impossible ; and so the aspirant for aquatic honours goea on his way, picks up sufficient to enable him to put hia oar or sculls into the water in a -passable manner, and then makes his next step, which is to row on a rJide. The whole evil in due to the Cluba tnemselves. If they will not allow men more time to prepare for a race, they must expect to find members full of faults, rowing in a style that shocks the river- side lounger. "What the Clubs require to do is to give fewer races, with sufficient time between each to allow crews not only to get into condition, out also to have the benefit of the expezience of those old members who can bo induced to accompany them in their nightly practice. Another thing, the Clubs should have a rule preventing any new man, who intends going in for racing, using a boat fitted with slides in his first season. Such a course would be beneficial both to the rowers and the Clubs. My advice to the Clubs is, give fewer races, with more time to practice ; endeavour to get the older members to give novices a little of that advice with which some are overflowing, and keep new men off slides for a season.

The want of a few capable coacheß is sadly felt. Now and again you can see the coxswain's seat filled by Borne heavyweight, who goes through the usual formula. " Now then, ' Time.' " " Don't throw your water," &c , &c. ; but it is very seldom the case that the quondam coach explains in a lucid manner what should be done, and illustrates how to do it. I did see an instance the other evening of how coaching should be carried out. But a good coach, that is one who can not only talk, but can also take an oar and show a pupil what is required of him, is a rara avis, a fact to be regretted.

I notice the TJ.R.C Champion Four haß commenced operations, but as yet the form is not striking. It is plain, however, that the crew have made up their minds to profit by past experience, for several improvements are observable in their woA. Stoke iB rowing a little cramped at present, but this will wear off. Three still shows that horrible drop of the shoulders and head at the finish of the stroke. He knows his fault, and it is strange that he does not remedy it. Two wants to finish with his hands higher. Bow is rowing very nicely.

The C.E.C. have not yet selected their Champion crew ; but they have in training Senior, Junior, and Maiden Double Sculls and Pairs for Lyttelton. The Avon Club also have crews out for Lyttelton, but the maidens are strange to me. The doubleBcullers, however, are a good pair. The TLR.C. will be represented in every event at Lyttelton. The two Fullers will go for the Pairs, and will require watching. Stroke doeß not make the most of his reach. Murray and Rich are good goods for the Maiden Sculls, and what beats them will, I think, win. More pace could be got out of the boat if the men could be shown when to apply the weight to the greatest advantage.

There are eight crews in for the U.R.C. Trial-fours, which I am told is the largest entry received for a race of this description. The Committee have decided to have the race rowed on fixed seats, a wise determination.

A member of the above-mentioned Club has shown me a copy of a little book, got up by three of the members, for the uee of new members. It contains valuable information in a condensed form, and is, so I happened to overhear a prominent rower remark, compiled from the best-known authorities on boat-racing.

There are several mattera to which I wish to draw attention, but for the present they must be held over until a more suitable occasion.