ROWING NOTES

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 74, Issue 279, 25 November 1931, Page 4

ROWING NOTES

—( Bp "TANIWHA." )

The annual regatta of the Wanganui Rowing Association will bo held on the Wanganui River at Aranioho on Saturday, January 23. The proviso decided by the Association at their recent meeting that in the event of unfavourable conditions existing the club captains shall decide upon ono of the three other courses, was a sound move and one that could well bo placed on the rule book. It is well known that while the condition of the water may be good at Aramoho it may be decidedly unpleasant on the lower reaches and vice versa. It is indeed fortunate that the Association has four courses from which to make a choice. The alteration to the programme, and the reduction of the prize money by £25, was a matter which was well debated. The deletion of the junior best and best race will make but little difference in the attraction held out by the programme, for last year there were few entries. On the other hand, it is expected that by making the senior single sculls race a handicap event more entries will be received. The reduction in the amount of the prize money was really to be expected at a time like the present.

It was unfortunate that unanimity was not reached sooner in regard to the course for the Aulsebrooke Cup Until this matter cropped up for discussion the meeting was going forward with a good swing and whn the “snag” was struck tho meeting limped on for another hour. Regarding the attitude taken up bp the Aramoho delegates it savoured rather of their being "agin’ the government” and, as Mr. Kitchen pointed out, they raised no argument against the lower course which could not be held against any other course.

Mr. Wilson’s amendment that it be a recommendation that the regatta be held on the lower course instead of “that in future the regatta bo held on the lower course” was really not required, although his point was clear. If he was uncertain that it was desirable that the Aulsebrooke regatta should be held on the lower course the proposal made by Mr H. riharpe that the regatta be held on the jower courio for this season only should have re ccivcd more support. Mr. Kitchen might also have unbent a little from his attitude that the regatta shall, in future, be held on the lower course, os pecially in view of the proviso that th-? club captains shall allot another course in tho event of tho weather being unfavourable. Had Mr. Wilson’s amen 1ment boon passed it would only have meant that tho Association would be required to pass a further motion at another meeting to decide which course the regatta should be held on. However, these discussions do v harm so long as they keep to the point and are well controlled.

It is hoped that the Association will shortly discuss the matter of sending a crew to the inter-provincial race to be held in Picton next year. It is three years since Wanganui has been represented in the event and there is a feeling in many quarters that this centre should be given a chance to compete. The big hurdle, of course, will be finance for it is estimated that it will cost in the vicinity of £lOO to send a crew agross the Straits. Still, if Wanganui oarsmen are keen that a crew should bo entered from this centre there is no doubt, that they will tackle the matter enthusiastically. The talent is available and there is every probability of a good combination being formed.

Wanganui Club. If evidence of the rapid advance made by the Wanganui Club during this season were required, it was forthcoming at the “At Home” held by the Union Club last Saturday. In the final of the sprint fours event of the eight men comprising the crews no fewer than six were wearing the Wanganui colours, including the two strokes. The club had good reason to be proud of their representatives and hearty congratulations are extended to 8. Cass on winning tho event. It was rather a case of "old soldiers, etc.” It is interesting to note that at the opening day held recently the winning crew of tho sprint fours also contained three Wanganui' men.

During tho past week the annual competition for the Wray Eights was held and proved to be interesting throughout. Durie’s win was deservedly popular and he also is to be congratulated on his performance. Although he is well-known in the rowing world for his ability, both as an oarsman and as a sculler, in addition to being one of the oldest active members of the club, his win on Saturday afternoon was the first in a club race for some years. In the past he has often been handicapped on his record, and and though such a course for the selectors to follow might be <on.side r ed somewhat of a compliment yer, on the other hand it is often apt to be disheartening. As deputy-club captain Durie fills the position well and it is pleasing to see him so regularly at the shed.

The final, which was held on Saturday afternoon, was perhaps the best race of the competition, as indeed, it should have been. Crichton put up a good performance and it was unfortunate that one of his men met with a mishap shortly after starting. In defeating Mitchell, Foster rowed a good race. Had the latter stroke rowed a faster stroke over tho initial stages of the race ho might have done better. Ho adopted tho same tactics as Crichton in the final, both men slowing down their rate of stroke with tho first hundred yards covered. With novices behind them this may have had the effect of the oars being pulled through the water more slowly, instead of slackening the pace on the slide. A slower stroke does not mean that the oar is brought through the water more slowly. It is the slide work which regulates the pace of the stroke, for the oar is pulled through the water as fast as possible.

Both Crichton and T. Silk had a strenuous afternoon, rowing in the final of tho Wray Eights and then competing in the four races for the sprint fours, which was no light afternoon’s work. Silk has improved much of late, and is getting his hands away faster and making a more correct use of his slide. Training for the Durie Rose Bowl has commenced and a splendid entry of ton crews has been received. This

will bo tho first occasion upon which this trophy has been competed for and there is no doubt that there will be some keen competition. Tho trophy was generously donated by Mr J. S. Durie, brother of the deputy captain, who takes a keen interest in rowing. The distance is a mile and a-half, which will call for some careful training ou the part of the contestants. Union Club. Crews for the Frank Crotty Memorial Fours have been settling down to hard training and are putting in some fast work for tho racing, which will commence on Monday evening. The draw will be announced over the weekend. Up to Monday evening Wilson was unable to take the water with his full crew owing to his three man not attending. When a man puts his name down and enters for a competition he should at least endeavour to make an appearance on the first night after the crews have been sleeted in order that he may make arrangement with his stroke. Unfortunately for Mowat his number two man met with an accident, with the result that he has only had his other men out for a couple of rows, and will require a substitute for the race. Club members who are not racing for this trophy would be well advised to attend tho "shed during the evening as there is often a defection in a crew and the stroke is hunting high and low for a substitute. It is satisfactory to note that the “At Home" held last Saturday added another success to the long list already established by the light blues. There was one matter which could be brought before tho notice of those responsible and that was that the course for tho sprint fours was not marked by buoys. As a result of this not being attended to strokes were unable to judge their finish, while the coxing was poor. In fact, with regard to the coxing generally it can be said that the exhibition on Saturday was shocking, pointing to the fact" that the boys do not receives the tuition which they should. Tho last race was especially bad when the two crews were dangerously near to each other. Although it made no difference to the ultimate result the margin was undoubtedly increased. The boys have the whole river in which to select a course and it is regrettable when they both decide to row on the same course.

It is a matter which can well be looked into by those in authority, especially with the regatta season approaching. It seems futile for men to train hard for weeks on end, with a certain amount of expense attached to their appearing in the regatta, if their work is to be thrown away owing to the cox being insufficiently trained. A warm welcome was given to E. Guliery on his return from Dunedin recently. “Ted” regretted that he had missed the Memorial Fours but states that he will be on deck for the next trophy.

Aramoho Club. Club activities have advanced a further stage with the crews being picked for the Tesla Fours. On paper they appear to be a very even lot and it is difficult to say which crew may annex tho trophy. At all events it appears as though they will provide some close and interesting racing. Holmes seems to have a good crew and they appear to be swinging along well together. Stokes also has some good men behind him, including two whom he had with him in the Mitchell Shield competition. A repetition of their form on that occasion should prove them to be a formidable combination.

It is pleasing to see B. Coxon once again on the active list for he is a great asset to the club. A splendid oarsman and a good stroke and coach will no doubt make his weight felt in the boat as in former years. He was a member of the junior crew which a few years ago swept all before it. He has held various positions in the club, including that of club captain, so that his experience in administration of club affairs should help to pull the Aramoho colours through any difficult waters. It is rumoured that he may be allotted Mackie’s seat in the senior four. Other old members who have returned to the fold are R. Hodson and A. Haywood. Both these men have in previous seasons represented their club in regattas with signal success. Their present form is good and it is anticipated that before long they will be as fit as ever. It is always a good sign for a club to see its old members returning to it, for it shows that the proper attraction is there. Regarding the senior crew it appears that it will not make the trip to Hamilton to contest for the “rooster.” It will do its best, however, to see that tho club colours are well to the fore when the local regatta is held and a strong bid will be made for the first position.

It is noted with regret that F. Hoskyns will bo unable to take the water with his crew again this year owing to his health not being able to stand tho strain. This was apparent last Saturday when he had to be assisted from the boat when competing in the sprint fours event. It will be remembered that for the past two seasons Hoskyns and his crew have put up a splendid record, astounding the opposition. The sympathies of his clubmates are extended to him in tho hope that he will make a complete recovery. D. Holmes is not showing his form of previous years. His rowing has been inclined to be patchy this year so far and the distress he has shown at the finish of the events he has competed in point to the fact that he will need to tackle training seriously before the local regatta comes round. There has been much discussion concerning the proposed lower course for a regatta. The general opinion is that, while admitting the lower course has much in its favour, it might be too great an experiment to hold the Wanganui regatta on it but. it should be given a trial with, one of the other events. The Melbourne Grammer School is on the royal road to a record hitherto unsurpassed. The school started the year by .winning the Head of tho River rowing race. The football championship followed, and then the athletic sports Now only a miracle can prevent the school winning the cricket premiership. No school in Victoria has ever won the four major sports in one year.