ROWING

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 80, Issue 251, 22 October 1937, Page 5

ROWING

CRITICISM OF REMIT MAIDEN CLINKER EIGHTS detrimental to the sport The remit introduced at the annual meeting of the Auckland Rowing Association to the effect that the rules which state that maiden and youths’ eight-oar races are to be rowed in clinker boats should be enforced came in for much criticism. Judging by the opinions expressed by delegates, it seems that the enforcement of the rules would clearly put eight-oar racing on an unsound footing. Mr. C. G. Herdman, who vigorously opposed the proposal, said that if the remit went through it would definitely kill eight-oar racing. Mr. Herdman had cause for concern, as it would mean the undoing of the good work ihe had performed in fostering eightoar racing in New Zealand.

As it was pointed out, there is only one clinker eight complying with the specifications among the 50 clubs throughout New Zealand. If at this stage the New Zealand Council were to revert to clinkers for maiden and youths’ eights, from which classes international rowing is built up, it would be a matter of years in this country before oarsmen stepped into an eight. There is no club which can afford to purchase and maintain both a clinker and a best-and-best eight. A delegate from North Shore, Mr. C. Willetts, said that if a club could afford one eight it should be a best-and-best eight.

Mr. E. A. Waters, who has had much experience overseas and could thua speak with authority, mentioned that in other countries men became international oarsmen in three years. Mr. Waters was right when he said that New Zealand representative eighth when chosen had to be moulded into crews and almost taught how to row because they had not had best-and-best boat experience. Actually, the ruling referred to in the remit was thrashed out two years ago by the New Zealand Council when it was decided to grant automatic permission to contest maiden and youths’ eights in best boats. Certainly it is more beneficial to let oarsmen row in

best-and-best boats from the begin ning of their rowing activities, although there are some who think it better to wait two or three years before giving them experience in these boats.