REGATTA ROWING

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 9, Issue 38, 25 January 1946, Page 8

REGATTA ROWING

FOR COMPETENT OARSMEN (By “Whippitin”) No. ill. There is no doubt that the “cream” of rowing is to be enjoyed at open Regattas, where the picked men of Rowing Clubs throughout the provinec, compete in races which are Usually thrilling and always gruelling. The aim of every ambitious oarsman is to take part in these events and climb the long road to championship or All Black honours.

Unfortunately for the sporty regattas must he confined to certain towns adjacent to a suitable river or harbour, where there is a sufficiently wide and straight stretch of •water. In the Auckland Province the best known courses are at Tau-

ranga Hamilton, Ngaruawahia, Mercer and Auckland. It is a great pity that the Whakatanc River is unsuitable for major regattas, although it provides an ample training ■f ground for the local club, which is making every endeavour to send

crews away to other centres this season, when Regatta Rowing will •-’be- in full swing for the first time .since 1939. :>i Some idea of the ability and traini ing necessary can be gained from

the fact that in some classes 12 to !,,14 crews often compete in the same race. The winners amply deserve the fruits of their long and studious preparation, and no crew, however competent arid stylish can hope to achieve success in such company by half-hearted, sposmodic training. All regattas cater for several “classes” which offer oarsmen con- ' siderable scope within their powers of accomplishment. The less experienced men commence as maiden oarsmen, and can compete in Lightweight (under 10 stone) or Open

Maiden events. A win in this class advances the rower to junior status in the following season and the distance, rowed increases’from 1 mile to 114 miles. Senioi* crews row over a 2 mile course, and to reach this class requires one or more Junior wins in two separate seasons. Sometimes, particularly through the advent of more eight oared rowing -an oarsman gains senior status in short time, by winning in a senior

race before having served his usual apprenticeship in the lower grades. While such rapid promotion may seem desirable, too many oarsmen have regretted it later, as their slight lack of all-round ability and

experience lias made it difficult for them to secure a seat in a good senior crew in other seasons. A lot goes into the making of a senior rower, and in any case, it is in the lower classes that the most enjoyable races are experienced as a rule.

Another class, which offers a great chance to younger rowers, is the Youths* Foprj> each crew comprising men who are under 21 years on the day of the .race.

Single and double sculling events round off the day, which, is packed

throughout with excitement and in r terest. I would appeal to local oarsmen to back up the endeavours of the Whakatane Club to send away crews this season. Some very experienced coaches are willing to give their time to your rowing future, and it needs only your enthusiasm to have Whakatane represented successfully at ißegattas this year. (Next week: Eight-oar Rowing).