ROWING NOTES

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 79, Issue 31, 6 February 1935, Page 4

ROWING NOTES

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"TANIWHA.")

Wanganui clubs are concentrating on training for regattas. They are being aided by excellent weather and waler conditions, although some of the crews that will be travelling to Wellington would be well advised to seek the “rough stuff'' now and again. A correspondent has requested a. pedsonal note concerning the celebrated coach, Steve Fairbairn. Fairbairn was born iir A ictoria, Australia, and educated at the Geelong School. He had mad< a name for himself in rowing circles before he went, up to Cambridge in 188.1, for in his last year at school he coached the school boat from stroke. The, crew won the Public Schools of Victoria Boatracc, a big event. Fairbairn has beeif coaching for over 50 years. At Cambridge he rowed in the Jesus College boat, for four years head of the river; and he coached the crew from the boat from his freshman's year onwards. In his fourth year at Cambridge in 1885, the Jesus boat, won the Grand at Henley. In .1886 and 1887 he had had through his hands the winners of every race at Henley with the exception of the Thames Cup winners of 1886. All crews were rowing on the principles he taught. In 1888 and 1889 Thames won the Grand, and the two captains wrote to him saying it was due to the work he had done from 1884 to 1887 with the club. In addition to rowing four years at Cambridge, Fairbairn rowed for five years in the trial eights, and also in the Australian intcr-State race. He gave up coaching for a time, but returned to it in 1905. Fairbairn was interested in Ihe New Zealand Army I eight after the war. and C. A. Healey had many rows with Fairbairn watching his action. Fairbairn is now over 70 years of age. Fairbairn has written “Bowing Notes” and “Borne Secrets of Success-

ful Rowing." “It is not yet known what local crews will be going to Wanganui, -where the pickings this year appear tu be very meagre indeed,” says “Stroke’' in the Evening Bost. ‘ • The prize-money at Wanganui totals £67, whereas the total donations for the national championships at Auckland amount to £167, a very substantial increase. “The Auckland authorities are to be complimented on their enterprise, and it is to be hoped that their progressive methods will be rewarded with a record entry. “A very interesting cont-ost. will be the new event, the maiden eight, to be rowed in association boats. “The initial entry will probably be very small, but the introduction of eight-oared races in New Zeakuid regatta programmes is definitely a move in the right direction. “The selection ot events at Wanganui. seems to be very poor. “At the annual meeting of delegates to the N.Z.A.Ii.A. a proposal that regatta committees be encouraged to promote races of all classes, especialH those to tvliieh championship titles tvere attached, was discussed, but no remits were pul through. This is regrettable. The significance of the proposal is more keenly appreciated when one considers the Wanganui programme, whiea is iiiad-e up ot two single sculling events, one dounle sculling race, and s® ven four-oared races, one of which is lor ladies. . . I “Surely the Wanganui Association would be’ belter advised tu start a senior double ei-enl oi a pair oare* ; race instead of experimenting with ladies’ events. ■•The sport, of rowing in Aew Zealand cun do with a lot ot boosting, and there is not the time to sacrifice popula events in order that ladies may be encouraged. The encouragement ot women rowers may be all very well up to a point, but not at the expense ot the, spoil in general.”

“Stroke's” criticism is ill-timed. While he may be an authority on rowing in Wellington, his knowledge o rowing and its problems in Wanganui is to say the least, superficial. He would have bc*n far better advised to have used his space for other purposes than in au attempt to point out to Wellington oarsmen why they should not visit Wanganui, especially al a time when Wanganui rowers contemplate sending tireir largest entries to Weiliugton for some years. Auckland's enterprise in allotting £167 for ihe championship regatta is certainly to be commenced. But when thv same regatta was held at Wanganui tsso years ago £166 was offered by tins association. In 1930-31, when the regatta was held in Wellington, ihiU association’s donations were £loa. The selection of events at Wanganui is not poor when entriVs from Wellington in past years are, considered. In the past four seasons, only two entries have been made by, Wellington clubs in the senior singles. Is this any inducement for a. senior doubles to be placed on the programmed The panoar championship event at, Wanganui two years ago produced two whole entries' Quite an exciting race, especially when it is remembered that the winning crew placed itself eight lengths in the lead. Is it any wonder that, the Wanganui association docs not wax enthusiastic, over such events? I It may be regrettable. that the N-Z.A.R.A. did not soe fit to pass a remit to the effect that regatta committces should be encouraged to promote races of all classes. I’robably they didn’t do so because they realised local associations and committees know their own business. The sport of rowing certainly does need boosting in Now Zealand. JI any centre has dune its share, surely Wangniiiii has. The record of Ihe Union Club eight in Australia is proof of the ability of Wanganui oarsmen to boost lowing. And it. was not done without cost. The Wanganui association for years past has kept up its donations t-> a high level. For a long period its donations were far in advance of thosv in Wellington. Now that it. has to take stock for a season, an-1 to conserve its funds prior to setting our on a new line of management, “Stroke ’ sees fit. to tell the Wanganui Association that, it does not know its own business. , “The pickings appear t.o be very | meagre,” he says. The sole idea ol j lowing is to win money at. regattas, ol course. If Wellington clubs consider | that, the trip to Wanganui is not. worth whil'e from a financial point of View, i then they will be just as well to slay . in Wellington. It is not, thought for a moment, how- | e\ er, that the Wellington clubs or as- I sociation have inspired the efforts of, the Wellington writer. He was probably in K-earch of copy. Eucfi critic- I

i ism never helps to boost any sport, am 1 • it. is not designed to create harmdnj < : between two centres. 1 The ladies’ events have been placei s on the Wanganui programme for the 1 past two seasons, ami have proved it ' . l>e a great attraction. Ladies’ cumpeli. lion in four-oared bonis this season ij • calculated to attract at least 20 pet ! cent, of the crowd at Sandy Hook. Tiff 1 ad-lition of the ladies’ race, in no way j affects the remainder of the programme. ' The de-isi-jn of the Wanganui Rowing Association and the Wanganui ' Motor Boat and Sailing Club to join forces for the regatta at. Sandy Hook on February 23 will be an interesting experiment. It. is to bo hoped that it will be a successful occasion, because, ' if it js, Wanganui’s annual regatta * will assume proportions nevvr realise'! previously. For long enough the work of finding donations for the annual rowing regatta has fallen on a few. The cumbersome constitution of the association did not make for an easier method of organise tion. Out. of the fusion of the two bodies this season comes, as a bolt from the blue, the much-suggested regatta committee. A “gate" is also possible, and the, rattling of the tin bo.x-es, as welcome as a horse fiddle at a funeral, may soon join the limbo of I forgotten things. Jt is quite on the, cards that the management this season may not be all that everyone expects. It never is. But it has to be roniembered that the regatta coimfiittee has only a fortnight to make its final arrangements, ami the experience gained this season will be valuable lor next, when planning from six to three months ahead would repay. It should be given a trial for at least two sea sons, ft is hoped that success will result, and that, regattas in the future

will In? run by a joint committee, whose revenue is a comfortable gate. 1 Then the “meagre pickings” of this J year will be a banquet. The present is ’ a period of transition, or metaii niorphosis if you lik-e, for the M-R.A and carping critics would be well1 advised to forego their questioning and - lend a hand. Wanganui Club. • Training for the Wellington regatta 1 by the seniors, maidens, welterweights j and youths is progressing satisfaetor--1 ily. The seniors and youths are making the best showing. R. Edwards is • moving his crow along well, and they • are realising the, value of having an experienced oar in front, of them. The > inclusion of Cooper in the youths’ boat ’ has not detracted from its pace. The . maidens have had another alteration. . H. Goss taking the. place of P. Marchant, who is unable tu tinsel- to Wel- . lington. It is reported that free criticism has ..been made by several members con- . cerning the manner in which the affairs Jof the club are. being managed. Some lof it has come from those who are [ executive members themselves. I There certainly appears to be a hap- ; hazardness about the control of boats and oars. A spanner is usually missing I when it is required, and the matter of ’ attending to the repair of boats seems ’I io be, everybody’s business. Conse- ' quently it is nobody’s. Recently a reigatta oar found its way into a trophy ' boat, and a regatta crew was kept I waiting. A racing boat also bore | traces of having been taken to the south beach and landed there, a breach I uf the rules. Those responsible for the management of the. club's affairs are:—T. Aitcheson, V. Ulapham, L. Clapham, A. Turnbull, S. Gass, M. Clay, C. McLean. A. Graham, E. Marchant, H. Rawle, A. Webster, M. McCann ami K. Slaton. It is up to them as a body to carry out the duties for which they were appointed. Axamoho Club.

. i Regatta crews are continuing with -I their training, and fair progress has [’ | been made during the week. There is i 1 a tendency on the part of some oars- . men to allow their attention to wander > while they are in the boat. Concens tration is one of the chief points mak- . ing for success in any branch of sport. t It is just as important in rowing, and . oarsmen must remember to keep their ’ mind on their work from the time, the boat leaves the pontoon until it re- ' turns. j Youths.— E. Vincent (str.), C. An- ’ derson (3), W. Turner (2), R. Gifford (bow). Now that, the crew has been changed around the boat seems to 1 have more life in it. Stroke wants to watch his slide work and not rush it: otherwise he is making a good job of stroking the boat. Three is rowingwell, tar better than he did in stroke seat. Two is erratic in his time and does not concentrate. He is also slack • in his training. Bow seems more, at home now that ho has changed from 1 three seat, but, like two, he wants to ’ concentrate. ‘ Juniors (welterweight).— K. Shaw r .str.) H. Clarke (3), R. Boyland (2), . L. Sleyer (bow). Stroke is inclined to sky at the catch and is slow with - his hands al. the delivery. Three is - finishing with a jerk and swinging away . from his oar. Two could shoot his : hands away quicker at the finish of the stroke and .swing a t rille further back. Bow has a tendency to go deep. He must pay attention to his blade . work, and also keep his eves in the boat. Juniors.- L. Anderson (str.), W. Fir- . min (3), T. Symes (2), J. Halligan (bow). —This crew has only been out about twice since the Jury ('up. This week they will be starting solid train- . ing and it is to be hoped Ihat they , will be able to [Hit more, life in their rowing. Maiden (open).—F. Laird (sir.), G. Lockett (3), T. Sweet (2). 11. Bullock (bow). Like the. juniors this crew has not yet, settled down to serious train ing. The inclusion of H. Bullock in bow seat should make an improvement in the boat. Two is still erratic. Three is improving but still wants Io concent rate. Seniors No l. -T. IDitehfiel.l (str.'. R. Goxon (31, D. Holmes (2), W. Heath (bow). Owing to the strokehaving had to undergo an operation, the training of this crew has been sori ously interfered with. Probably [training in the best, and best, will com- ; i-K.iee next Monday. In the nieantiine . the rest, ol the crew are doing land work. With training they slioul-i ■ work themselves into a good conibina- . tion. ►Seniors No 2. I’. Stowers (str.). F. Jones (3), I. Stokes (2), (’. Harrison (bow). This crew is training consistently and seems to he very comfortJ able in the best and best. The. boat is ' moving well but, being a light crew '.they will have to set a quick stroke, to do any good. Two i» leaning slightly

too far back and bow is inclined to jerk al. tin l finish of the stroke. Lightweights No. 1.--J. Farrell (str.). J. Fiske (3), H. Henley (2), F. Hurst (how). No. 2 A. Brougham (str.), W. Loveridge (3), F. Brown (2), G. Harrison (bow). Both of these two crews arc swinging along well and the race on Monday night should be an even go. The new members in the No. 2 crew are, rowing well and keeping good time.