ON THE WATER

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18045, 4 January 1927, Page 12

ON THE WATER

ft . n || ROWING, SAILING & POWER BOAT NOTES. (g

Hot, sunny weather, smooth water, and a cooling but slight breeze made ideal conditions for the Akaroa regatta on New Year’s Day. Entries were confined to local clubs, a double entry from Avon helping materially to make some good fields for several events. Cure and Lyttelton were not represented. Of the twelve events, Union won six. Avon four, and Canterbury two. while in point-scoring for the D.C.L. Shield. Avon finished first with 40. Union securing 35. Canterbury 15. Akaroa 5. and Sumner-Redcliffs 1. Avon showed a decided superiority in the senior events. Union were to the front in the youths and juniors, and Canterbury in the niaiden. In the senior fours the only good form was that shown by Avon, who were nicely together, though there appeared to be a bit wanting in power. Akaroa were terribly rough, but strong, and gave Avon a considerable amount of anxiety over the last quarter of a mile. Union were outpaced from the start. In the pairs, the Stiles brothers rowed with fine combination, and were never really pressed. If Akaroa, who were just beaten for second place by Avon No. 2. had as much skill as pluck, they would be a rare pair. In the double sculls, Union just scraped home in front of Avon, after being behind most of the way. Of the three junior races. Union were successful in two, winning the fours and the pairs without much difficulty, and losing the double sculls by about a third of a length. The winning four is a good combination, and so is the pairoar crew. Avon finished second in these events. The double sculls, won by Avon, was a hard race all the way with Avon in the lead. The winners, the Stiles brothers, showed the same neatness with the sculls as they did with the oars in the senior pairs. Canterbury had very fine crews out for the maiden events. They showed splendid form and were in good condition. but it was their rowing form that stood out. In the fours and the pairs they were right above the others, their work indicating good coaching and regular practice. I was more impressed with these two crews than any others, on account of future possibilities. Leaving out minor faults, and taking their rowing generally, the form clearly indicated that the crews have grasped the correct idea as to the best methods for getting pace out of a boat. Avon won the double sculls without being unduly pressed, showing very good form, getting pace without undue exertion. Avon also finished second in the fours and second and third in the pairs, and the crews showed very satisfactory all-round form. Sumner-Redcliffs who finished third in the fours, were satisfactory for half the distance but the combination was not too good. No. 2 gave the impression of rowing with his rigger far too high, judging by the manner in which he had to bring up his hands at the catch. Either that or he was rowing far too deep. The Union crews were considerably below the others.

Union have a nicely balanced youths’ four, and so have Avon, but the body form of the latter is uneven, though the time is good. The stroke is more on orthodox lines than that of Union, and the latter are likely to be defeated later on unless more length and punch are put into the stroke. The Union double scullers and Avon No. 1 were satisfactory in every respect. The former, in particular, showed excellent combination, and on Saturday’s display do not look like being beaten so long as they retain their form. Akaroa, like the club’s representatives in other events, eschewed most of the recognis-, ed principles of boat propulsion, and simply slogged along. Their strenuous endeavour *just missed landing them into second place. One impression left after the racing at Akaroa was that the Akaroa Club has men quite capable of winning races if polished up a bit. They are strong and as game as you make ’em, but they have no idea of combination or form. I doubt if the Hammonds, for instance, are as good to-day, from a rowing point of view, as they were when they first rowed for the club. Very prominent on the executive side of the sport is Mr E. S. limes (says the Wellington “Times"). He may be said to be the “big noise” of rowing at the present time, as he occupies the chair at the meetings of the supreme controlling body—the Council of the New Zealand Rowing Association. Back in the year 1597 he made his first acquaintance with the sport, joining up with the St. George Club, of Auckland, lie was secretary of that club for some years, and represented it on the Northern Rowing Union until his departure for Wellington in 190 G. On his arrival in this city he undertook the representation of his old associates on the New Zealand Association, and was shortly afterwards elected to the council of that body. After some years of service he was appointed chairman, and has occupied that position with distinction for the last eight years. On the council his work has been characterised by a broadness of outlook and a complete absence of parochial spirit which has done much to preserve »the harmonious workings of those controlling the sport. The big English rowing fixture, the Oxford-Cambridge race, will take place on Saturdav, April 2. ac One of the greatest scullers that England has produced is 11. T. Blackstaffe. In the course of his long career he won hundreds of prizes, including the Diamond Sculls in 1906, the Wingfield Sculls (amateur championship of England) on nine occasions, the London Cup nine times, and the Olympic Sculls in 190 S. In addition to being a competitor he has given the sport very valuable service on the administration side, and has acted as umpire on many occasions in important events. On announcing his retirement recently he was entertained by prominent oarsmen and was the recipient of a number of presentations.