ROWING

Dominion, Volume 20, Issue 45, 17 November 1926, Page 8

ROWING

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Star Regatta Crews Selected. Crews have been selected by the match committee of the Star Boating Club to go into training for the forthcoming regattas at the New Year. Those who have been chosen arc settling down 'to solid training, and under the tuition of their respective coaches are overcoming any faults with surprising facility. The following tentative selection of crews has been made: Junior Four: Cooke (str.), Williams (3), Taylor (2), Brookers (bow). Junior Pairs: Cooke (str.), Williams (bow). Maiden Four: Shotlander (str.). Mullins (3), Crease 12), Fitzgerald (bow). Maiden Pairs: Sutherland (str.), Nicholls (bow). , , , , Kouths’ Fours: Gray (str.), I’lattsMills (3), Comerford (2), Bees (bow). Light-weight Maiden Fours: Uaintz* (str.), Moffatt (3b.), West (2), Lucas, The strongest of these crews nonld appear to be the junior pairs, the members of which me! with fair success in their entry last year in tho maiden Cairs, The junior four also seems to e a likely crew, and will no doubt give a cood account of themselves when put up against crews of the same class. Cooke and Williams deserve their seats on last year’s showing, while Brooker and Taylor have also demonstrated that they only require more regatta experience and training to develop into firstclass oarsmen. The announcement of the maiden crew is somewhat unexpected. Shotlander and Fitzgerald are both solid oars, who have previously represented the club. Mullins and Crease are beginners, but are both powerful men, who, with correct coaching, will more than pull their weight. The crews as a. whole are all men who can be depended upon to bo as fit as possible for their first contest. The maiden pair is somewhat of an unknown combination. but a- both men have had experieiv-e. and are fairly strong oarsmen, the fact of tbeir specialising hi pair work should enable them to render a good account of themselves. Of the youths’ crew, three men. Gray, Comerford, and Rees, were in tho No. 2 crew last season, and their showing then as well as performances to date, fullv justify tbeir inclusion. The crew in which these three rowed previously included Taylor, who had this year been promoted to the junior crew. Platts-Mills as No. 3 in the boat is a newcomer, who has all the making of a very powerful oar. Given fair water for training there is no reason why this crew should not. be as youths* crew of last year. Mflie lightweight maiden four is composed of men who have nil been rowing for a season or more, although none have yet won anv regatta races. Haines anil Lucas both row a pood style. Moffatt has improved considerably as an oarsman, and with steady training and a little loss restraint in his style will improve still more. West has not appeared much lately, but is a good solid man. This crow will require to pay strict attention to training, and should during weekends, if possible, indulge in long, steady rows to attain steadiness and combination.

C. K. Oswin, an older member of the club nnd one who has won championship honours, has agreed to coach sonic of the regatta crews, nnd will first be giving members of the junior crews the benefit nf his experience. For the other regatta crews conches have been selected as follow: IMniden fours, E. Diehl'; maiden pairs, H. Nicholls; youth’s fours, W. P. Shorland; lightweight maidan fours, K. N. Wakelin.

“Sculls.")

A further series of club races will be held by the Star Club on November 27, when the first beat of the senior and junior pairs will be rowed off over a mile course. The following are the crews m the senio rpairs: Diehl (str.), Cudby (bow); Whittaker (str.), Least (bow); McKinley (str.). Carwell (bow); Hinge (str.). Haldane (bow.); McLean (str.), Hoden (bow); Waugh (str.), Lovell (bow). The crews in. the junior pairs are- Moffatt (str.), Rue (bow); Mitchell (str), Wood (bow); Thomas (str.), D. Webb (bow); Bolton (str.), C. Webb (bow ; .McLean (str.), Bates (bow.); Bell (str.), McGibbon (bow); Samson (str.), Dean (bow); Moss (str.), Pride (bow). A keen and exciting race was provided in the final of the senior .tours which was rowed off during tho week-end, the issue being in doubt until the judge was reached. Bowing with fine judgment, Cooke’s crew finally drew away from Brooker’s crow, who were rowing a very fast stroke to win by three-quarters of a length. Wellington Rowing Club.

The following members of lington Rowing Qlub have been selected to go into training tor the Picton Regatta on New Year’s Day:— Junior Fours: P. Mawson (str.), A. Co - tins (3), K. Chisholm (2). F. Stanley Fours: D. Campbell < s tr.), T. Adams (3). R. Cookson (2), K- SutherIl Maidcn"Pairs: K. Cookson (stroke), T. A Maiden > °Doublcs: IL Sutherland (str.), D. Campbell (bow). ’ Youths’ Fours: C. Collins (stroke). Llatham (3), L. Cookson (2), R. Partridge Fours: T. Carter (str.), L. Herd (3). W. Carter (2), N. Holland (bow). Sculling in the South.

The Invercargill crews are fettling down to solid training, states the Southland Times.” The new members nave shown remarkable keenness this season, and tho boats set aside for their use nvo been working overtime. Quite a number of tlie new members have been goin" down at 6 in tho morning in addition to having a spin each night, so that in a very short space of time they should master the intricacies of good oarsmanship and figure in the front rank of the active club members. The members fortunate enough to be picked for the regattas have realised that, owing to the spirited, competition for seats, they will have to train assiduously or otherwise give their places up to keener members. This fact, more than any other, will be instrumental in winning races, and will, in the course of time, help the club to regain the enviable position it once had in -the rowing world. New Zealand Title. Tho sculling race ■for the Nev? Zealand professional title between Hannan (holder) and Mason (challenger) is yet a fortnight off. Reports from IVhangarei, where the race will be rowed, indicate that both men are down to tolid work and keen interest is being evinced in the coming contest, which will be decided over a course of three miles.

Weight of Coxswains. Now that the Now Zealand Amateur Rowing Association has fixed the minimum weight of coxswains at 5 stone, more satisfaction should be felt by the crews. It means that a strong boy will control the steering, and there will b c less likelihood of collisions.