ROWING

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXXII, Issue 19437, 24 October 1925, Page 4

ROWING

NOTES AND COMMENTS (By “Coxswain.") The Aramoho Boat Club will open the season this afternoon, when a series of sprint four races will be rowed. A cordial invitation is extended to members and friends of sister clubs to attend. Now that the two town clubs have opened their season the river presents a busy appearance each evening, as tho crews from both clubs are settlin'; down to hard training in view of the forthcoming club events. Both clubs have considerably augmented their membership by the adoption of a large number of novices, and it is anticipated that some very promising talent will be discovered during the progress of the various club races. What is urgently required, however, is the co-operation of veteran rowers who are willing to promote the sport by acting as coaches. In that connection it is gratifying to see that Mr Percy Evans, who for years took a prominent part in rowing in the Wanganui shed, is acting coach this season for his old club, while that energetic “Wally” Sharp, is acting in a similar capacity in the Union shed. It is to be hoped that other experienced men will come forward and lend a hand in this direction.

As a southern writer says, year after year a warning note is sounded in many clubs that rowing is a sport that is lagging behind. We read of innovations that spring up and grow in an amazingly short time, while rowing, one of the finest branches of sport there is, just manages to keep its canvas out of the water. The time has arrived when there should be*a general "boost” for rowing in every centre. It does not matter much what club a youth joins, provided he joins some club.

cannot stress too strongly the necessity for. systematic training and the encouragement of club racing, which is the foundation of the success of all regatta crews. By competing in club events the oarsman is helping to place his club in a strong rowing position. Club racing is also the means of discovering new talent, which would be otherwise lost.

Entries are now being invited for the Club Fours at the Union shed. Good entries are being received in the Wanganui shed for Novice Pairs, and Club Fours. The Melbourne Henley. To-day the Hamilton crew is to compete in the four-oared race for the Stewards’ Cup at the annual festival of the Melbourne Amateur Regatta Association. A cable has been received in Hamilton by Mr I. W. St. Clair from Mr Kane, the manager of the New Zealand champions, advising that the members of the crew had reached their destination safely, were comfortably housed and preparing for the fray. The new boat, which was built by Mr George Towns, of Sydney, was available, and was giving every satisfaction. The crew felt confident of success in to-day’s test.

Sondos (stroke), W. Bayley, C. St. St. Clair, and S. Curtis (bow), the members of the champion crew, have been together in the boat a deal during the off-season of rowing, but a little longer time to fully prepare for the race would have been advantageous. They were in fairly good fettle, however, when they left Hamilton, and seeing that there have been no ill-effects from the voyage across the Tasman, they would be able to taxe full advantage of the final week available for training. The distance of the race will be two miles, and although strong opposition can be expected from some of the Australian crews, the New Zealand champions promise to give a good account of themselves on the Yarra today.