ROWING

Star (Christchurch), Issue 17217, 7 December 1923, Page 3

ROWING

NOTES AND COMMENTS

(By

JASON.

COMING EVENTS. December B—Redcliffs. December 17—Akaroa. January I—Picton. January 26—Christchurch, at Lako Forsyth j February 19—New Zealand Championship*, at Picton. March I—Wellington. April 21—Interprovincial Fours, at Picton. NOTES AND COMMENTS. At a meeting of the committee of the Christchurch Regatta Club on Wednesday, it was decided to hold the regatta at Lake Forsyth on January 26. This date was selected to fit in with the New Zealand championships on February 19, and the InterprovinciaJ Fours on March V.

Interest in rowing in Marlborough is rory Keen this season, and there is good reason for this, as three events will be held in the district. The first, is set down for January 1, at Picton, this being the Picton regatta. On February 19 the New Zealand championships will bo decided, though J understand the venue has not yet been selected. The third event is the Interprovincial Fours. It is possible that Wairau course may bo chosen for the championships, but in the interests of the sport it is hoped that such will not be the case, for the Wairau course is far from being satisfactory when a number of crews are competing. For a two-boat race—a single sculling match, for instance—-it may be fair enough, like the Wanganui River, for instance, but when it comes to fields «>f six or eight, or more, then it is quite the reverse. For a local regatta the Wairau course may serve, as the Estuary or the Stewart’s Gully courses have done here, but how can those two courses bo compared with Lake Forsyth in the matter of fairness to all competitors. The same difference that exists here is in evidence in the two Marlborough courses—Picton and TVailau. The championships have been allotted to the Marlborough Association, and that body must, sink all local feeling in choosing the course, and bold them on water in which position will not play an important part in the result of the racing. As crews will be competing from all over the Dominion their interests must be given preference over local wishes.

In acknowledging receipt of a copy of the annual report and balance-sheet of the New Zealand Amateur Rowing Association, “ Henley ” writes as iollows in the Sydney ‘‘ Referee ” : ‘‘The association is evidently in a strong position—it has withiu its fold some nine local associations, whose affiliated clubs aggregate fifty or more. Much of the report is devoted to the efforts made bv New Zealand to bring about competition between Australia and New' Zealand, as obtains in track and field athletics, boxing, football and other branches of sport. These efforts have so far been abortive, but our friends in the. Dominion make out sirch n strong case that tbe desired result should be obtained before very long. Furthermore, an interchange of visits would be in the best interests of the sport/’ No one will deny the benefits that are likely to accrue from an interchange of visits, but it is just as well to take stock of the position in the other branches of sport referred to by

** Henley,” and see what the result has been with them, ami how things stand to-day. New Zealand bad agreements with Australia in cycling and swimming. These lapsed some years uuo. being unsatisfactory. for one thing. To day the only agreement in existence is that which concerns athletics. and in this New Zealand has made it very plain that conditions are far from satisfactory from the Dominion point of view. The boxing agreement, instituted in 1903.. and renewed every three years, except iy, the war-time period, expired this year, and has not been renewed. Experience has shown that, while there is much to be said in favour of meetings at regular intervals between the pick of New Zealand and Australia’s best, there is the <-»ver-present feeling that Now Zealand has the worst end of the deal. Before ever New Zealand commits itself to anything of a. binding nature in connection with rowing, it will bo well to bear in mind what the experience has been in other branches of sport, and the New Zealand associations on whom the decision will rest would be wise, before deciding anything, to secure the views of those who have been identified with the agreements referred to, and base their decision on the opinion of those who are competent to speak on the matter. Much preferable to an agreement would be the> invitation svstem in vogue in Rugby football —that is. accept an invitation when in a position to do so. and offer one when the opportunity is favourable. A hard and fast agreement should be tapu.

The news that no Lyttelton regatta will be held this season is bad news. Tt is not yet too late, however, to work up a rowing regatta, and surely the port possesses sufficient men of energy and enthusiasm to promote and carrv through a programme that would meet

with the approval of rowing clubs and the public. Unfortunately, interests clash in Lyttelton, and when you speak of a New Year's Day regatta there you have to take into consideration the various forces in existence, each having its own particular fancy To Lytteltonians as a whole, a regatta means a mixed programme of aqnatic events, including swimming, and with land sports, if possible, thrown in, so that no interest can be overlooked. This means a heap of work, and large financial responsibility, and possibly is the reason for the event being dropped this year. But a purely rowing regatta. 1 venture, is not an impossibility. It would not be expensive to run, and it would be well supported by the rowing clubs. A programme of youths’, maiden, junior and senior, double sculls and pairs, and possibly a senior single sculls, Mould make an admirable re gatta, and would present no difficulty that an energetic committee could not surmount. But does Lyttelton possess the men with the necessary energy to seo the matter through ? That is the question. If the usual New Y’ear Da.y rowing races are abandoned this season, it will not be because they cannot be held, but because the old-time battlers aro gone and similar sporting spirits have not come forward to fill their places. LYTTELTON CLUB. The Lyttelton crews in trainiag for the Redcliffs regatta have taken full advantage of the opportunity of training at Redcliffs which Mas made possible by the generosity of the £slllO nerRedcliffs Rowing Club. Both crewa* junior and m&ideh double scullers, have for tbe past week been cycling over from Lyttelton, and after a practic; row return over tbe hills. This should have the desired effect making the crows fit. Training has continued just as briskly as ever in port, and some very promising material is showing up. 1 f only the club had the use of the new racing boats on order. Lyttelton would be well represented at all forthcoming regattas. On Saturday last the club, with the valuable assistance of enorge tic lady supporters, held a novelty fair, which realised the bandy sum of over £4O. which is to be utilised in the pur chasing of new boats. The committee wishes to thank all supporters of the club and the public for their generous assistance.

The rowing races at Redcliffs tomorrow should produce some cloijje racing, and as a preliminary flutter should provide a lino for estimating the strength of the various clubs. Some of the competing crew s will not be properly wound up, but the racing, combined with another week’s work, will lead to an improvement at Akaroa on December 17. Tho city clubs will have some very good crew's out this season, and as the outside club 3 will also bo strongly represented some excellent racing should be witnessed at the regattas. CANTERBURY ROWING CLUB. The senior pairs are doing some very solid training, and last Sunday they went for a long spin down as far as Pleasant Point. I believe they had a very good row. and succeeded in getting a nice run on the boat. Some of the other crews would benefit by an occasional long row. especially the maiden and youths’ fours, as the combination of these crews is capable of much improvement. The junior four seem to be going very well. Tt is unfortunate that Allen, who was rowing three in this crew, is unable to row, as he is a very powerful oar. His seat has been filled by F. W. Cowlishaw. who lias just returned from England. Cowlishaw will have to take his tiaining seriously if he is to he fit by the time of the Akaroa regatta. The maiden four are doing some good training, but it is doubtful if .this, crew will he in flieir best raciug form by December 17. Drury has been replaced by Batclielor in the bow seat, and this should be an improvement. Batchelor is diving badly at the commencement of his swing and wants to watch liis body swing very carefully. Morris, at number two, has improved, but does not shape too well in the. fast work. He should drive harder nnd get his hands away smarter at the finish of his stroke. The youths’ four has also been altered. Reid and Day, rowing two /and bow respectively, have replaced Hobbs and Moon. The crew seems to be going better with these alterations, and should race well. Tt would do this crew good if they could get out for a long row.

Godfrev and Morgan are going very well in the senior doubles. They have been doing some fas* work against some of the other crows.

Batchelor and Boswell, who are sculling together in the maiden doubles, arc a very light crew. They are both very keen, but must get down to train; ing if they are to do any good. They need plenty of good coaching.

The Trial Four crews started training this week. There is some very good material among these new members, and it is almost certain that a second maiden and youths’ four will be picked to represent tho club at the Christchurch Regatta.