ROWING.

Wanganui Herald, Volume XXXX, Issue 12000, 18 October 1906, Page 7

ROWING.

BY 'RUDDER." Thongh crews have only been selected since luesday last for the W.R.C. President's Eights and the U.B.C. Club Fours, the strokes have lost no time in getting their new material out, and last night I noticed one or two crews out on a quiet spin. As there are such a number of novices engaged in these xaces, I do not think a criticism of the crews would be justified at present. I have seen some likely-looking oarsmen among the beginners" and if they train as they should train some will very likely be seen out in regatta races later on. Somehow or other members will not train for club rowing nearly as much as for regatta races, and after a month or two they put rowing down as being too much like hard graft. A good many, therefore, give it up, and instead of strengthening their lungs and muscles in the boat endeavour to do so by standing on the bank or groyne and frantically shrieking out to the man in the boat to put in a dozen, and criticising adversely if he fails to do so. Then, again, there is the non-swimmer, of whom, I believe, there are several in our town clubs. Now, it should uot bo so, and I am of the opinion that before venturing out in a single scull a man should be able to swim. With the number of really good swimmers the local sheds posse&s, every member should become proficient in the art of swimming. I would also like to see more distance races on rowing club's programmes. Most of our rowing men here are accustomed only to the sprint race of one mile, though this year the W.R.C. will have, I believe, two races each of one mile and a half, and I think if our other clubs followed the lead tliey would be doing wisely. If club members trained as consistently for club rowing as for regatta rowing the greater would be the benefit personally, while the man with tho strained heart would not be so plentiful.