THE RULES OF ROWING.

Wellington Independent, Volume XXVI, Issue 3319, 14 October 1871, Page 2

THE RULES OF ROWING.

TO THE EDITOR OF THE INDEPENDENT.

Sib, — As the boating season has just com* menced, will you allow an old oar a few wordf. The style of rowing commonly used here is very dofoctive ; in style, for it does not look well ; in efficiency, for the strength of the men does not fully tell. The rules driven into "Cannibals" at Cambridge will ahow what should be corrected : — 1. Sit square in tho boat always. 2. At the beginning of the stroke oatch well hold of the water, taking care that only the blade of the oar is under water. 3. Let the whole weight of the body be thrown into the stroke. The back, arms, and legs, must all work. At the end of the stroke the body should be well back ; the elbows close in to the sides ; the body still square. The direction of the pull must be always straight with the keel. 4. Keep carefully good time by watching the man before you. 5. Never jerk, but keep a steady pull on the [oar always from the first. 6. The Bfcroke should be long, be pulled well home, regular in time, and only quickened at the coxswain's order. 7. Keep eyes in the boat, and in rough weather feather high. I suppose in a rough sea the oar must be watched, but this muat be done without turning tho body. 8. The arm is not to be used only, but the rower ruther should judge that the use of tho arm is to fasten the oar to his back. The captain who will enforce these rules will not find his boat last in the race. — I am, &c, Cantab. Wellington, October 12.