ROWING

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1629, 21 December 1912, Page 18

ROWING

IBr "Mehcobt."!-

OUR THEORY & AUSTRALIA'S. January I—Pict<?n Regatta, Lyttelton. January 22.-Christchurch Regatta (Corsair Bay). March 22.—Championship Eegatta (Wellington). July I.—World's Championship, Barrv v. Pearce (Thames). Tho Art of Rowing Again Reviewed. Last week "Mercury" published, some extracts from a letter received in Sydney from an English pursnum of note pointing out and criticising the various points of difference in stylo between tho Australian methods as used by , the. recent Olympic Bight, and those in v vogue-'.at Home. ' . This criticism naturally found its Vav into tho Australian press, and the "Sydney Morning Herald" has published a reply thereto by a looal authority. The chief points of difl'eronco commented upon were (a) difference in equipment with special regard to tho shorter oars used by tho Australians, (b) the shorter body swing effected by (hem (which two points, as will be peon later, Hour a closer relationship to ono another than is apparent at first eight), and (c) the difference at tho "beginning" in.the methods of taking tha water. ■ . Australia op Seating and Pars. Taking these points seriatim, the Australian authority writen: "Our men are centro-asated,- This not only adds to tho appparanco of tho crew,, but assist? materially in tho balance and steadiness of the'bout. We read that at Honley th» orew. viewed from behind, was so even that tho appoaranco was that. of a good pair-oar crew. A hide-seated crew could never present the samo excellent quality, for tho men aro apt to swing outboard'at tho ending of u stroke. Another point in regard to fittings is that ill our boat, although centra-seated, (he distance is but 29 inches from centre, while English poppets are 32 inches away from the centre of tha rowers' slide. That, is the reason why shorter oars can bo used —for the rowing pin is closer to tho man, and naturally hp ean got his forward reach without appearing to do so. 110 can always throw his oar as far forward as to chock on tho poppet, and no ono can do more. Our oars elinw on tho-fronl: of the loom thai they do chock, the width, of the poppet being tho same in both classes of boats."

| Boat Fittings and Build. So much for the oars. Ait to the actual boat fittings and buiid, tho Australian writer continues: "AYo insist that every man shall use the whole of his slide, and to compel him to do so tho stretcher is regulated in I length. Wo havo longer slide planes, but in boats used hero and in England tlio slide comos down to a level with the rowing thowl, so on that point there is a comnion agreement. England lengthens the strctchcr—wo the slide. As to tho boat, wo use ono somo tliroo fcofc loss ill length; yet she has a longer rowing space, more- room between the rowers, and puts the extreme depth and beam three to four feet further forward, so as to keep her head high, very necessary on tlio majority of our courses. '■"ihe gain of the uso of tho si ido is (1) a more natural position when beginning the stroke; (2) tho uso of tho legs, lo support the body throughout; (0) to lengthen the stroke, which, as a matter of 'fact, is langthoned after tho oar Is at right angles ,to tho boat, not. before. This was proved years aito by experiments made oa a bout on shore, when it was found that the rench forward was not materially increased, but that t.hero was a gain of over a foot in tho length of arc described by the blade end of tho oar. The last and greatest benefit of tlio slide, as now used, is that tho weight of tho men, something near MOO pounds, can bo carried down tho boat, and so get bettor value for tho strength expended. Tlio recovery should bo effected so that tho )x>nt wilt run between strokes; indeed, tho boat runs from under tho men, and their weight is not killing the pace, for n moving weight does not retard tho speed— a hang does, for then tho weight is at rest, and pressing the boat down in tho water." Tho All-Important Matter of "Swinfl." Now for the all-important matter of' "swing." In his dcfenco of his representatives, shorter "reach out and swing back," tho Australian advocato makes a good case—a good case, that is, according to Now Zealand beliefs. "Our critic docs not faulc the slide-work, j but ventures the strong opinion that; tho I forward reach is bad—too short—and that ] tho 'beginning' is consequently weak, ' Perhaps so; but let us see the difference of methods in this: Leandcr is taught to reach out until the body is thrown on to the legs. Members of the crew practice this when paddling, also a great, length of swing boforo releasing the blade. "New, wo must bear in mind the rowing pin is threo inches further away from {.lie rower, and as he must, 'pinch' or 'chock,' ho can only do so by getting his body and hands further aft, and as lie is on a shorter slide he swings back to make up for this. It is probably right for English fittings, but with ours, unnecessary. However, ono must remember this—Hint when actually racing Leandcr did not row the same as in practice, but shortened their rcach and swing hi much that our men remarked tho fact. How pan a man use his leg-work when he

covers up his blade, if ho has roaohod 60 far as described? Ho could not until ho had raised his body a good bit, so there is a danger of catching on a fixed seat. We have scori this long reach triod lioro, and its failure. Our boats do not require it. English boats, fitted as they are, may do so." And Last—What "Catch"? Now 170 come to tho last point—tho matter of "catoli," and hers it is that most of our local coachos will find themselves at variance with' tho Australian idea. As regards the slido work and swing, our theories are. tho same except for some few minor details—which may oe accounted for by the fact that „the majority of "best and best" boats used in tho Dominion aro cither Australian-built and fitted, or moulded on Australian models. But we certainly do not agree with the Australians in the matter of catch as set out below, and it is a pity that tho "Herald" writer has not given, us the reasons from which 'has contention is built up. His other points aro 60 well reasoned out that the lack of support to tho point under notice is very noticeable. The only reason given—that crows using the method lie advocates have been found to beat those "who splashed tho water about," is not convincing. Nobody would [ think of advocating a system which merely splashed tho water about. The hardest "catch" can be obtained without splash—the existence of which, in fact, would, in most cases, indicate that [the water was.being taken too "light," i.e., with tho wliolo blade not covored. However, thus the Australian idea: Some years ago a coach would urge his men to "smite the wator," "to hit the water," but there came, a change, for crews which "oiled in" could boat those who splashed the water about; it is there to push .. against, and that is 'the" oiily liberty an oarsman should take, Speed iB to push tho boat as far beyond the swirl (the plaoo where his i blade was submerged) as it is possible, and in the shortest possible time, too. There is a •space betweon where bew's oar and No. 7'b take the water of between 82 and 33 feet, and a stroke should push tho boat that far, while the recovery will niako tho run another four to six feet. City Training Notes, . The "northerly" of tho last week has set training operations In the local clubs back somewhat—still crows are now sufficiently far on to. give indications of their worth when properly wound up. This point is still a long way' off—so far, in fact, that it is impossible for any one of them to be properly fit—in ■a rowing and not a physical sense—for Picton on New Year's Day. The men themselves are—or there is 110. reason why they should not be—keyed up to racing pitch—it is as combinations that the crews fail .to satisfy, The protracted spells away from bont-wo'rk aro mainly responsible for this, and unless we have a long run of good water between this and the first, local prospects of wins will 1 not be bright.

Wellington's Senior Pair—An Anecdote. Tlie Wellington senior pair, Blanchard, late of Aratnoho, and C. Hegglun, late of Blenheim, aro causing some interest in the work, in tlu< "best" boat. Ex-cham-piou "Bob" Crawford has been giving them the benefit of his very expert advice and on one occasion took his old seat in the bow and went out with Blanchard in water that was very bad indeed for a racing pair-oar shell. But it troubled the veteran not at all. He evinced all those:fine points of balance and watermanship that wade him qnd "Joe" Calnan invincible for many seasons. But, when he gave up bis place to Hegglun, the effect of the bad water was very apparent. • Good and experienced oar as the ex-Blenheim man is, he conld not control the boat as the veteran had done, and it would seem that, unless the watei 1 in Picton is better than it usually is on regatta days, this pair will not yet trouble the champions. • . In good water they show decided promise. Blanchard is rowing well, and with .time Hegglun- should fit in with .him sufficiently well to make at least a good class combination, if net exactly a championship proposition.

Other Wellington Crews. The Wellington junior four is doin? some good, lively work. Ths writer has not yet seen them out in the "best''" boat, but the crisp etvle being set by Hinclaclift'e should Milt her well enough. If nnvtliing, the stroke lacks "body," and tho bout' will need to bo "hit'' along S|U llio time, Any falling away in this respoet will let tho crew down, as it will,, mean an immediate decrease of pace—so this crew will need to be fit and well to s,et over a hard milo and o half at propov racing gait. Star B.C. Notes. Tho Star seniors are not starting at l'icloit, mid are doing long, slow work that does not call for comment yet. Tho juniors arc working hard, and at time ot \vriting aro to get into the racing boat at tho first opportunity,. Tho thm> anil two have changed places, Carr having moved down tho'boat, and the change «u far has mado for steadiness in the rowing. Tho big fault with this eviMv is a hmdonrv to hang on tho catch—and this is a fault that "lest" boat rowing will find out. In a heavy ''clinker" it' does not matter so iminli, hut in a light racing shell it is bad business.

In "best ami best" rowing it is essential for puce tlint there be no "hung"eithi.r fore or oft, In tlu> former instance Hie boat "sets away" from I lie crow—in the latter, it buries at tho recovery, iiutl in both eases the result is direct stoppage of Ijie boat's "way" through the wntcr. Moreover, it menus n reduction in the rate of striking per minute that again makes for reduction of pae-e. Tn short, "hang" is one of those things that is not seen in best crews. Will llolmca and his men plcu'-o note? The Stnv maidens and youths are both showing promise,' pai'lienlnrly the latter quartet. Mr. Alee. Newton lias .them incharge, and is instilling into them first prineiplos of a roo<l stylo with pleasing results. Tlio crew physically is » good one, tho stroke being jus! over 11 stone and liis three confederates verging oil twelve hi one, so with Air, Newton's tuition to back this poundage, the lads should work up into a hot eomlmuitioii by the olid of Iho season. P. Hackworth Loavlnn Us. Itevorting to tho Star maidens, "Metcury" regrets, for Hie club's sake, lo have to chronicle the loss of Mi« servient of a liu'inlM' of this crew through transfer--that bugbear of the N.11.C. This is I'. Hackworth, who lins been ordered to report for duly at Blenheim on January 1! noxt, which means thai the l'ietou remit In will end his active iionnecliou with the Sl«r Club, Hackworth will lx> missed, 110 is one ol Ihe club's keenest mid mosl promising oarsmon. ITo has hail regatta o.sperienee wjtli youths' crows up till lust season, and this season has boon prominent in olnb racing. lio was In tho wiuiiin# Indies' fours quartet, and durini! the week, rowMiR in tho stroke scat, ho won tho (innl heat of the Fitzgorald-Hothuno fours, Mo was nlso in tho crow thai: ran up in tho senior fours, so ins two wins and a second to show for throe starts. Should ho find time to row ill Blenheim he will bo an acquisition to the local club, and thoro is no doubt his old olub mates will bump lip against him "good and hard" in regatta rowing as n wearer of Hie black and white instead of the old bluo and whito hoops.