SOMETHING ABOUT ROWING

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 9, Issue 37, 8 January 1946, Page 5

SOMETHING ABOUT ROWING

A WORD FOR ONLOOKERS

(By “Whippitin”) No. I.

The following article will mark the commencement of a series which it is hoped will do much to stimulate the sport of rowing in Whaka,tane. it is felt that with the return of so many of the original members from overseas that the local club I will hCPSfft considerably from the 'series which Will appear every Tuesday. One of the greatest difficUltifiJ in increasing the popularity of «rpwing with the general public, is the fact that so few people have even the foggiest notion of the sport apart from the obvious endeavours of husky young men to propel the boat through the water faster than the others.

To the average onlooker, who secs these men working like demons, the actual movements mean little for whereas most supporters of other games—cricket, football, tennis etc. —have a reasonable understanding of the skill demanded it is in most cases, tlie very opposite in rowing.

Let me dispel right away the popular conception that rowing is purely a test of brute strength and ignorance, needing merely a strong back and. a vacant mind!

For every rowing man of cxperii cnce knows that the sport demands courage stamina strength and intelligencc together with perfect timing and balance. The boat itself is light and narrow (a “four” is about 40 feet long) specially designed for speed, so sensitively balanced that the crew must use precise timing and their bodies must swing smoothly in unison, otherwise speed is impeded (you’d lie surprised how much!) by a disconcerting roll or one of a dozen small but important details.

Since the advent of the sliding scat about 70 years ago, science has “ousted” brawn in the boat, and New Zealand oarsmen have kept abreast of this progress, ranking amongst the best in the world.

Next time you see a boat on thfi river here in Whakatanc take an intelligent interest, and try to* notice the actions of the crew. Watch the beginning of the stroke. The blades should flash into the water without a pause, the bodies should swing back together, driven by the power of the legs. The arms should be straight, and KEPT STRAIGHT until the finish of the leg drive, when the. hands should be drawn in to the body quickly and smoothly, without the twist and tug so often seen, resulting in a “hard finish.” No extra (in fact less) speed is gained by such a finish, and good coaches insist upon a hard beginning or “catch,” firmly sustained throughout.

Naturally, the blade of the oar should be whipped through the water as fast as possible, the hands of each rower on the same level, both during the stroke and on the. “recovery, ” when coming up the slide for the next stroke. A steady movement up the slide, all together, allows the boat to run along between strokes, and at the same time assists the oarsmen to be balanced and ready for the next quick grip of the water.

A well balanced boat is a joy to row in and a pleasure to watch,, while the results of intensive training and competitive rowing are shown in improved, physique and perfect fitness, induced by what is probably the most virile of all sports. The VVhakatanc Rowing Club merits your interest and support, and provides, for a very small subscription, a grand opportunity to the young men of this town to participate in a manly and healthy pastime coached and encouraged by oarsmen of considerable isexpericnce in regatta rowing.

(Next week: Fundamentals in rowing).