ON THE RIVER

Star (Christchurch), Issue 16986, 9 March 1923, Page 2

ON THE RIVER

NOTES FROM THE CLUBS

"With the Kniapoi Regatta on Saturto'n close, and the AYanganui Regatta at the end of this month will practically bring the season to an end *0 far as the Dominion is concerned. Saturday’s programme consisted of eight events, 'double sculls and pairs for maidens, youths, juniors and seniors. the majority of them being rowed in heats, and all of them over the same course, about half a mile. One rather looked for some ding-dong liinislies in view of the short course, but such was not the case, all of the beats and finals, with one exception, the second heat of the maiden pairs, being comfortable, if It was Union's day out. that club’s representatives securing lour firsts and two seconds, Avon coming next, with two firsts and two seconds. Canterbury getting a win and two seconds, and Sumner a win and Cure two seconds. On re were unlucky in the maiden double sculls in not getting a race in the final owing to stroke losing his slide at the start. On the form shown in their heat, Cure gave the impression that they would be very hard to beat in the final. Sumner at last got a win. The crews were out in their new boat and felt the benefit of having a . stable craft under them. The youths who had won their event in fine style, have got the knack of speed rowing, though perhaps are not so well together as a pair-

oared crew should be. It- was very pleasing to see the sporting spirit of members of other clubs when the Sumrer lads returned to the landing stage. They got a real good “ rally.” Union’s win m the senior pairs for the third time in succession for this classs of event, the previous successes being at the Ohritohurch and Wellington regattas, makes Velvin and Grenfell a really good crew. They arc a well-matched pair, and though on the small size physically, compared with their opponents on Saturday, they knit veil together, and both have proved many a time and oft that thev are

sterling sneers. They should stick together and have a cut at the champion pairs next season .

This being the last regatta at which points converted for the D.C-.L. Shield, there was a fair amount of interest to see whether Union would wipe off Avon’s lead of \\ points. Avon got "x good start with two wins, but as Union followed with four wins in succession, the destination of the trophy for the season was practically settled. The trophy is held by the club gaining most points during the season at regattas held in Canterbury and the following table shows the results to date : 1009-10-11-12-13 . Union R.O. 1014 . . . Avon R.C. 191.5-16 . . . Union R.C. 1917-1 S . . . Avon R.C. 1019 . . . Union R.C. 1920-21-22 . . Avon R.C. 1923 . . . Union R.C.

This gives Union nine wins and Avon six. It is about time some other rhib had its name inscribed on the shield. The Wanganui Rowing Association has drawn up an attractive programme for its regatta on March 31. The events consisting of senior fours, pairs, double sculls, and single sculls, junior fours and single sculls, maiden fours, double sculls and single sculls. It. will be noticed that single sou tiers are entered for in each class. I have not heard that- any local crows will be competing. The Inter-Provincial fours at the Wellington regatta was something of a fiasco. Only two crews were anything approaching class, it. is very evident that the authorities will have £0 seriously consider -whether the event, is worth retaining. Rowing doesn't bring in any-gate money and the financing of crews becomes an item of very grave concern. Though putting the event- of its programme the "Wellington committee had to cut out the senior fours and senior double sculls, both of which. I think would have drawn good entries and provided much better eomnetition than was seen in the incerprovincial fours. A trouble th'.t has to to bo faced is getting crews together in time for the members to team, and apparently this cannot be done until the regattas are completed and then the season is over and interest on the } wane. The idea, being a novelty, pos j siblv proved attractive when first mooted and it was decided to establish the event, hut I rather fancy that experience has shown difficulties not fore- I seen bv those responsible for its insti- j tution.' The Wellington race should provide good grounds for n.u exchange I of views on the matter between the 1 various local associations.

“ I am down and out. I am practically stranded, and my athletic days are virtually over. 1 have a wife and n large family dependent on me. I started a business and made n hash of it, like many other professional fellows with no knowledge of business.” Ernest Barry, the world’s champion ■sculler, made this dramatic statement at Brentford County Court in applying for his discharge in bankruptcy. The Official Receiver reported that the liabilities were £1730. and that the assets had realised £25. A dividend of 7ifri in the pound had been paid. The discharge was granted, but suspended for two years. The debtor attributed his position to the fact that while he was in Australia for his last sculling match his public-house business at The Fox. Twickenham, was mismanaged, and a large sum of money became due to the brewers. He also embarked on a bookmaker’s business with two others, but had failed, and had become involved in a liability of £1173. PICKING ’VARSITY CREWS. A GRUELLING PREPARATION j lie general public become interested in the rival crews of the Oxford and Cambridge Universities only about one month before the boat race, when they leave the home watei-s for an intermediate stage of practice at Henley or Marlow before proceeding to Putney. But the process of the selection and

preparation of the oarsmen begius several months before, writes “Old Blue ” in an English exchange. The principal test to this end is the trial eights race held early in December by each of the University boat clubs. * The race and the training for it are much the same at both the Universities, being intended to be a half-scale rehearsal of the boat race itself. The two crews are made up of the most likely candidates for the vacant places in the University boats, and are selected early in November, immediately after the coxswainless fours race, in which the pick of the oollege oarsmen are seen rowing in their college crews. The president looks to this race, which opens the rowing year at- each University. as the first test of freshmen, who have come up m October with rowing reputations from Eton, Radley. bury, Bedford, and other rowing schools, and even from schools or universities in the United States. Most of the “probables” and “possibles" arc known to the president, but in order that no assets may be overlooked, a trial is given during October to many college oarsmen not rowing in the coxswainless fours. As soon as this race is over the two trial eights are made up. and strenuous practice begins almost at once. Every other day “ long journeys •’ are undertaken—ten to twelve miles, including a hard “ row ” fas opposed to “paddling”) of anything from a mile to two miles. Towards the- end of these • journeys the two crews are ret to race against one another for a minute to test their pace. If one crew proves too fast, changes are made between the two crews with a view to equalising them. During this training the men are subjected to a rigorous medical examination, as only r those who arc wholly sound are worth trying. Even for these this

arduous training is a very necessary preliminary to vhe ordeal of the ’Varsity race-viz., so that the big muscle** of the back and thighs chiefly used in rowing may be built up to stand the great strain of a twenty minutes race over the 4 i miles frcni Putney to Mortlnke. This is especially necessary in the case of those oarsmen win* have only begun serious rowing on coming up to the University two years, or less before. The Cambridge "race is rowed over miles downstream, the time being normally fourteen to fifteen minutes. The Oxford race 1=; rowed downstream over a course ot about two miles. Owing to the levelling process, the race is normally a very close one .and this is admittedly a far greater test of stamina and pluck. Any that fail in this pesnect will certainly he spotted in that last half-mile, when the umpire’s launch races up nearly level with the crews to give a better view to the dozen or more expert old blues. Hie oarstlie idea beinjr that no school or college colour shall attract the critics’ attention. After the race the president and the prospective coaches hold a consultation with the old blues present and the probable ’Varsity crew, with one or two alternatives, is provisionally decided upon. The men so selected have to come up to tho University early in January, when the ter. or eleven weeks’ practice for the ’Varsity race begins.