ROWING.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1425, 27 April 1912, Page 12

ROWING.

STYLES AND WINTER WORK. [Bi "Meecubt."] Championship*—'Whoso Turn Noxt? With tho close of tho season comes tlio query: Whero arc tho next championships to be? It is one which is often asked, both by oarsmen, who havo been sucoessful in the jiiist season and are anxious to add to their laurels, and by those v. J lio have not been successful, nnd aro looting forward to having another try. The answer this time is Wellington —that is, in nil probability. It is understood that the local authorities intend to make a strong effort to securo the votes of delegates, for Wellington, at the annual meeting of the A Jf.A. in October next. Wellington's turn is overdue, for it will be, then, eight years since l'ort Nicholson was tho scene of a championship reirntta. During (lmt period, Piclou ftwice), Christchurch, Napier, Auckland, Wiinjftnui, and Duncdin luwo been selected. .Many roasons can bo given in support of Wellington being selected, but, probably, tho most important is its central position. Records show that entries for regattas held here, championship events, and others, aro always tho most representative. Oarsmen can attend from either Auckland or Southland with only 2} hours spent in travelling, nnd, from other centres, with 12 hours or less. This, of course, is an important factor in bringing together the best crews, and, indeed, in allowing innny clubs to bu rspresontod at all. "Mercury" has not heard that any other centre is applying Pot the championships, but, nevertheless, local officials .should take an early opporlimitv of bringing their "ease" hoforo the various local associations for support. Meeting of Delegates—The Amateur Definition. A special meeting of delegates has been called by the N.Z.A.H.A. for June 1, to coniider the report of its spcriitiiry vnunrdinv tils New liwdand wuatour iloihii-

tion, nud to consider tho advisability of f amending aitmo to exclude professionals s in other branches of athletic sports from 6 competing as amateur oarsmen. In somo 1 previous noles tho writer referred to this ' matter, and wroto in support of the sug- S Bested alteration, which lie believes would f bo a move in tho right direction. v c Olympic Oarsmen, j Tho departure of tho Australian Eight f has been advised, and their arrival will s doubtless soon bo duly cabled. Much < interest is centred in this crew, for, be- ( sides tlio fact that its members lmvo 1 ninny personal friends in New Zealand, 1 il is tho first occasion ou which it "crew" < has been sent Home from tile Antipodes. ' Furtlrer, their mission is to capture 'the 1 world's amateur eight-oared champion- 1 ship, and they will Iks pitted against 1 American and Continental as well as ! English representatives. The Great Question of Stylo. After the Olympiad we shall no doubt read a great deal in regard to the correct way lu row, and, though wo unfortunately cannot sco for ourselves, we licpe to learn a good deal from the opinions and criticisms of thoso who will see, and aro well able to judge as to whether correct methods aro taught hero and in Australia. (In n previous occasion tho writei mentioned that in 1907 a special com millco had been Eet up in New South Wales lo consider tho principles of rowing generally, with u view lo uniformity, and settling the correct style. Much tinio and thought was given by tho committee to this subject, and I have (through the courtesy of tlio secretary of the New South Wales Association) been handed a copy of its vcpurt. Spaco will not permit comment thereon this week, but i hope to do so in later- notes. Tho Late F. J. Pownall, Rowing men, particularly members of the Star Club, were shocked to hear bf the death of Mr. "Fred." Pownall, who passed away on April 12. A member of the club mentioned sinco 1880, and one closely associated with it, he made many friends, and ho was also 11 successful oarsman. Among hiß wins arc tho Junior Fours, Christchurch, 18SS, Wanganui, Ladies' Plate, Wanganui, 1893; Club Senior Fours, 1890, 1893, and 1891. Winter Training. "Mercury" commonds to local oarsmeu (Petone, of course, included) the desirability of some form of winter training. Nothing excessive, but exercise enough lo keep the muscles supple, and prevent tho addition of adipose, and the subsequent fatiguo of getting rid of it. Skipping and club-swinging should be sufficient, with a good tenmile, or more, walk oacli week end. If tho weather allows it, this latter would bo found to be very beneficial, and would help one to striko form early in tho new season. The suggestion is here mado that some energetic member in each club should' organise and "father" a walking club for tho winter months. More About Stylo-A Coach Abroad. Sinco penning tho above, one notes the following from tho "ttelerce." It will enhance the interest of rowing coaches in tho forthcoming Olympiad in rcferenco to tho different styles. Tho report of Mr. Harriman and tlio Australian experts will bo awaited with interest: "America thinks it worth while to studv the methods of rowing other than her own, and with that object in view, Averill Harriman, son of 1/. H. Harriman, the railroad magnato, and coach or tho Yale Freshmen crew, has been selected bj the Yale nthlete officials to go abroad. Ho left about the middle of last month for England, the homo of rowing, and no doubt will seo what he can pick up from tho cream of her oarsmen at Henley. In addition, he will visit Europe, and no doubt will be present at tho Olympic Gnmcs, where he will be able to" compare tho different styles—our own included."