William Beach.

Wairarapa Standard, Volume XIX, Issue 1886, 20 September 1886, Page 2

William Beach.

The champion oarsman of the world, who has recently on the Thames again maintained and emphasised his claims against the world’s best scullers, was born at Alderton in Surrey, England, in 185], and when two years of xge emigrated to Dapto, Lake Illawarra, N.S.VV. He was brought up to his father’s trade, and while toiling like a young Vulcan in the smithy, unconsciously developed that magnilicient physique which has since brought him world-wide distinction. When about 28 years of age, beach commenced rowing on the Illawarra Lakes against local competitors ; fiom the outset he kept winning, until gradually handicapped out of all races. Briefly stated his professional career is as follows :—Made his advent in 1880 in a handicap skill race at Wooloomooloo, and won, defeating P. Ward and J. M’Clerken ; rowed second to 11. Pearce at Pyrmont Regatta three weeks later ; defeated by Neil M'Donald at Anniversary Regatta in 1882, but afterwards turned the tables on M'Donald ; Gascoigne beat him ; defeated Charles Reynolds, the 1 gbt skill rower of Australia, in a splendid race on the Parramatta, Reynolds dropping out of his boat exhausted ; Solomon and other scullers acknowledged his prowess ; on the 7th March, 1882, first public appearance of the champion in an outrigger in race for Punch Trophy, and finished second to Rush, both Trickett and Laycock being in the rear; defeated T. Clifford in light skiff race ; beat Trickett five times out of sis matches ; in 1883 was defeated by Trickett for Hunt Trophy, to decide who should meet Hanlan in place of Laycock (who was dis» ahled) ; Laycock, however, recovered, and was beaten by Hanlan on 21th May, 1884 ; Reach defeated Hanlan on 16th August, 1881, greatly to the astonishment of all; defeated Hanlan again on 28th March, 1885, rowing him down in the earlier part of the race ; just previously he had defeated Clifford ; defeated Neil Matterson on 10th December, 1885, with greatest of ease; defeated H. Lee, 30th August, 1886 ; defeated George Bubear, 31st August, 1886 ; defeated John Tecmer, Ist September, 1886. We have no doubt ho will defeat Gander and Ross with equal ease in hj s forthcoming races on the Thames. A man indulging in such severe struggles must, of necessity, feel the want of an aid in nature in keeping bis physical condition up to the highest attainable point, and it is not surprising to us that Mr Beach candidly states that during his training, and previous to his meeting Edward Hanlan the second time for the world's championship, his trainer procured for him Warner’s safe cure, and he used it with the happiest results. Mr Beach also took a supply with him to England, that be might have it constantly by him. His system of training involves a run of two or three miles before breakfast, a walk of six or seven miles afterwards, and a pull over the course, After diuner comes another two

mile wnlk and a seooud pull over the course, during which he tows himself right out, oases off, and thou pulls agaiu. A long walk concludes the day, and he goes to bed at 9 o'clock. Beach carefully avoids’spirits and does not smoke when training. If ho feels a bit out of sorts, a resort to Warner's safe cure soon puts him a!' right again. He rows with sculls having blades of great width, those used by him in his recent matches being inches wide, 9 feet six inches long, and 2 feet eight inboard, and he rows his stroke clean out to the end.