EIGHT-OAR ROWING

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 9, Issue 39, 30 January 1946, Page 8

EIGHT-OAR ROWING

ATTRACTIVE & SPECTACULAR

(By “Wbippitjn”) No. IV

There, is no doubt at all thrat the most attractive form of rowing, both for spectator and oarsman alike is the “Eight” as anyone will agree Avho has seen or rowed in an eight-oar event.

From the oarsman's point or view, he is impressed not only by the extra stability and speed of the boat, but also by the feeling of great rc-i serve of power which can be called upon. A “spin” in a well-manned E]ght, with every man in perfect time is truly delightful and. no other boat can compare with it.

For a great number of years, from the time of New Zealand’s famous. Army Service crew of 1918, until about 1936 the only major event in Eights was tile Inter-Provincial Event, which always attracted big crowds where ever it was held.

In 1936 .however, the Auckland Rowing Association which had battled hard for this type of rowing, made a sound and determined move by sponsoring no less than eight events of this class, including two championship races. On top of this, the Association's Chairman, Mr C. G. Herdman, who ranks as the greatest “Eights” enthusiast in the country, offered to subsidise by £lO the cost of every boat bought throughout New Zealand in that year. This generous offer was accepted with alacrity by quite a number of clubs much to Mr Herdman’s delight! 1936/37 saw Eight-oared rowing come to stay, with almost every major club in tile country now in possession of a boat, and races carrying big prize money at all Regattas .

Tlie cost of an Eight is very high, even in normal tjmes, but no club which hopes to compete on equal terms with others can afford to neglect this need. New members and public support are more easily gained by tlie attraction of eights, while it is almost certain that future regattas will be dominated by these events.

It is worthy of note that the. executive of the Whakatane Rowing Club is looking forward already to the ! day when it can launch an Eight on the river, and would like to start as qujckly as possible, n fund for the purchase of an Eight, and. to extend the present shed to accommodate it.

That day will he. a happy one for rowing in Whakatane, and should serve as an inspiration to oarsmen and supporters to rally round the club to hasten the acquisition of an Eight.

Then you’ll see some rowing and enjoy it! (Nex t week: The Boss Rooster).