REGATTA DAY

Waikato Times, Volume 124, Issue 20721, 3 February 1939, Page 9

REGATTA DAY

RIVER GALA TO-MORROW HAMILTON ROWING CARNIVAL ENTERTAINMENT FOR THE PUBLIC One of the biggest rowing regattas In the Dominion, the Hamilton river carnival will be staged at Ferry Bank to-morrow afternoon after being postponed from Anniversary Day. The postponement will not detract in any way from the attraction of the programme which has become recognised among the public of the Waikato and further afield as one of the finest sporting events in the province. If the weather is fine the regatta is sure to draw a large gallery of interested spectators. Big event on the programme is the senior fours race which lias attracted the classic field of ten crews, the largest this season for a senior fours event at an ordinary regatta and one of the biggest fields ever entered for the class in the history of rowing in this Dominion. Included in the field is the Clifton four, champions of New Zealand who will make their last appearance in competition rowing before defending their title at Picton next Saturday. Eight-Oar Thrill 3 One of the most picturesque sights at any nowing regatta is the eight-oar contest, 7 but at Hamilton to-morrow the spectators will he given an unusual thrill for the field in the maiden eights race includes six crews. Seldom in eight-oar contests at any regatta are six eights seen in competition. When the final battle is on over the deciding stages of the race the sight will be a brilliant one with 40 oarsmen straining for the extra little bit that will mean victory and 40 blades ploughing through the water at extra quick stroke lo propel the boat to the gun. Practically every rowing race on the programme will be a great sight and an even contest, but other attractions have been arranged for the public. A two-mile down-stream swimming race has attracted 20 distance swimmers, including some of the finest talent in the province. Maori events, speed-boat racing, and children’s races are included on the programme. The full list of entries, with the crews mentioned in the order they have drawn at the start, is as follows : The Draw for Places Maiden Doubles.—Hamilton, West End, Waitemata, Ngaruawahia No. 1, Ngaruawahia No. 2, Auckland, St. George's. Light Maiden Fours.—West End, Whakatane No. 2, Tauranga, Whakatane No. 1, Ngaruawahia, Hamilton, Waitemata, St. George’s, Auckland. Junior Fours. —Waitemata No. 2, Tauranga, Whakatane, Auckland, Ngaruawahia No. 1, Ngaruawahia No. 2, Waitemata No. I. Maiden Eights.—West End, Tauranga, Auckland, Waitemata, Hamilton, Auckland University. Senior Fours.—Tauranga, Waitemata No. 1, Waitemata No. 2, Hamilton, Auckland, North Shore, Mercer, West End, Star (Wellington), Clifton. Maiden Fours, open.—St. George’s, Tauranga, Auckland, West End, Ngaruawahia, Whakatane No. 2, Whakatane No. 1, Auckland University, Mercer, Hamilton No. 1, St. George’s No. 2, Waitemata, Hamilton No. 2. Single Sculls.—R. McFarlane (Ngaruawahia), J. Duncan (Hamilton), G. Plummer (Tauranga), J. T. Plummer (Tauranga), R. B. Smith (Auckland, A. Morey (Auckland). Non-class Eights, open.—Tauranga, Auckland, Waitemata, Hamilton. Youths' Fours.—St. George’s, Mercer, West End, Whakatane, Hamilton, Auckland University, Auckland.