ROWING NOTES.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 11518, 19 January 1894, Page 2

ROWING NOTES.

[Bt " Cbab "] The time is again rolling around for our annual rogatta, a meeting, I notice, boing called for this (Friday) evening. It is to be hopod that those interested will go into their work with ardour and energy, and inako the 1894 carnival a still greater improvement upon its predecessors. We have in Wangauui a fewmen whom in rowing circles it would be hard to replace, and who, in spite of,the indifferent success of our boys during the last few seasons, have stuck to 'their colours manfully. And I have no doubt they are going to do so again. But "constant dripping wears tiway stone," and the local rowing members cannot expect a great deal of interest to betaken in them if they year|after year allow outside clubs to wrest every thing from them even in their own waters. The Committee, it is understood, are in a good position financially, and should issue a good programme. But thai is anticipating. It is to bo hoped that the different crews selected will do their utmost between this and tho day to get in as good nick as possible, and not submit our patrons to the spectacle of ignouiniously chasing outsiders in every lace. I mentioned last week tho uncquality of tho current in one part of the river: thoro is another point which the Committee would do woll to avoid if possible. I refer to tbo stone groin recently erected at the end of Plymouth-Etreet. It is apparent that the tide must rush past this spot with great velocity, thus giving tho inside crow as much as a two-lengths advantage if the tido is ebbing. The rogatta before last, I bolieTe, tho finishing post was about this spot, and I might suggost that, under the existing circumstances, a course that finishes there would be", fairor than than tho other. With regard to the programme I think one or two of the races which provoked no competition last yoar could beneficially be omitted, and junior or maiden four oars put in their place. Another suggestion has boen mentioned to me: that is to arrange, if possible, the Herald v. Chhoniclb four-oar contest, of which there was so much said recently, fc> come off on regatta day. It would be 8a interesting addition. Serious complaints have been frequent of late of persons bathing in the vicinity of the rowing sheds, without or with insufficient clothing, and also thai: obscene language is often heard by passers-by at that place. That suoh is the case is only too true, although I am sure it has been done outside the control of the Club's officials. Such behaviour must be nipped in the bud, and, in the interests of themselves, every man connected with the sheds should aid the authorities all in his power to make an example of the offending ones. It might not be out of placa to call attention once more to the great want tbat is fell in having no proper accommodation for bathers. This sultry woalher tho young fellows of the town deem it a necessity to have sudfel after their day's work j and yet, witnall our boasted advancement, there is not a place for them to bathe without being exposed to public gaze. It is high time Eoniothing was done,~as with such a river as ours and such a largo population on its banks, the absonco of a properly ordered bathing slifid is scareoly excusable. I cannot compliment the crews of eithor shed on the amount o? energy they Lava bhown this last wook or so; it fiocms a irmfctor of indifforenco to most of them whothor thoy miss a few evenings or ml. 'lhings will perhaps improve as tin) uigHttn draws noaror. Tho crow from the W.B.C. selected to row thuUullegiiins aro fairly consistent of Jut' ii ml aio doing good work. They bhould hnvo a good coach, as it is obvious tlioy hnvo a lot to loam yofc. They keep good lime and fairly even keel, but stroke should givo his men a longer reach. Koogan's seniors have not been out regular lately. On Saturday he bad a spin with Taylor's maidens, beating the latter with a lot to spare. The course was from bridgo to bridge. '• I hoar that Barr's senior crew Las collapsad, Andor having loft the town to work in tho country. 'I ho W.E.C. soniorH are only showing passable form, but are improving. T.iylor'a U.B.C. maidens are keeping in fair training, but 1 am afraid stroke i3 not giving a3 much attention to Mb crew as ho might do. His rowing, too, of late ha6 boon rather careless, boing slow on the recover and finishing badly. He requires to got more weight on at tho catch, and pull it clean through, and not let his oar go anyhow at the finish. No 3 finishos "too far back, is very slow in coining forward, and should row more equaro. He would also qualify himself more to onlookers if ho allowed stroke or coach to do all the talking. No. 2 needs wakin? up. He should catch with more dash and bring his oar through as if he moanc it. Bow has been on the sick list lately, but to my mind he rows the best oar in tho boat, and his place \b certainly No. 3. An improvement could be made in this crew by putting Andor No. 3 in placo of Kirk. I believe he could got to Aramoho to row. Kirk, although a sticker, is to my mind rather light for his place, and I fancy ho would not stand heavy training. I notico Mr McGonaglo has taken Williams' crew in hand, and already they Ate showing marked improvement, troke miijht grip his oar firmer, turn his wrists sum; tor at the catch and flush and get hn work on square. He hasnMkpgraceful positfon at the finish. Tie should swing from the hips and open hiß shoulders, which would prevent him getting it, to such a heap at the end of tho stroke. No. 3 needs to open his shoulders out more and get tho weight in at tie end of the catch ; also clear the water coming forward and finish a little further hack. No. 2 backs his oar up too much at the catch, which makes him generally late He seems rather awkward with his hands, and drops his left shoulder badly ; sit up square, old man. Bow rolls away from his oar considerably, and U inclined to row short and. catches too I soon. i The newly-formed maidens Bkoked by Seagar, I have studied carefully, and a fow hints may be apropos. Stroke catches fairly, but doos finish at all well; ha should keep tho weight on all through the stroke instead of lotting his oar carry itself through and even sometimes finish in the air. lie also needs to sit square on his seat and swing straight up and down the boat. No. 3is strong but awkward. Uo rows too high altogether, his right hand appearing to be almost level with his nock, which of course makes him pull all on one side. His hand3 at the finish of the stroke should be so lowered that they touch the first rib ; and Bit square. No. 2 also row3 with his hands too high, and is slovenly at the catclvand finish. A Grocian bend is not admired in an oarsman's back but th« aquarer he sits and moro erect tho bettor, flow is the same as 2 and 3 in the matter of sitting erect. At the catch ho should bo slightly forward, th on swing back from the hips, so that at tho finish he is » little past the perpendicular. This crow are a strong lot, and with coaching should give Taylor and William* enough to do to beat them. It is likely, I hear, that a coach is to be appointed to take them in hand, and when this is dono I oxpect to soe rapid improvement, as they aro all enthusiastic in thejr work. Ewing, I hear, thouph, Is forced to resign his seat. Don't be discouraged, Soagur, as you are by no means the worst on the nver oven now, and " Crab," for ono, bus a big idea of you. I hear it is the intontion of tho U.B.C. Solection Committoo to 'lave another race or two botweon tho different maiden crews. Eutrios for tho captain's trophies (U.1i.0 aro coming in fatt, tho closing day for which is Saturday noxt. I believe only those who l'avo paid their " Eiibs." are oligiblo. Tho prizos, 1 bpijp ate well woilh competing for, and siiouW form an interesting contest Thoy take the form of a Maltese cross with the Club's initials, the year, and cross sculls in cold. The Committflo of the same Club meet this evening at 7.30 Bharp, tho principal bnsinoas being tho onforcouiont ot fines on certain wayward niombors.