ROWING

Evening Post, Volume CVIII, Issue 138, 7 December 1929, Page 24

ROWING

Br "3TKQKK" REGATTA WORK

CREWS ACTIVE

NOTES OF INTEREST

During the last week or two weather conditions for training have not been of the most satisfactory nature for tho crews on the southern end of the harbour. Nevertheless, a fair amount of training has been done to bring crews for Picton up to the mark. At the Star Club crews are in training for all the events at the Picton regatta with the exception of the senior fours and tho single sculls. In the senior pairs, tho club will be represented by Cookc and Mullins, who are proving to bo a very well balanced pair. Cooke, who is stroking the boat, occu-. pied tho stroke seat when he and Williams won the championship titlo last season. Ho retains his old dash, and has been rowing very'well in practice rows. Mullins is providing the necessary combination to mako a good pair. These two will be seen for the first occasion during the season at Picton, but with the exception of rowing at the Wellington regatta later in tho year, thoy probably will not be seen again in regatta rowing before the championship meeting. Their new best and best boat which is being built by Norton, of Wellington, is nearing completion, and it is anticipated that it should be ready for delivery within a. fortnight. The junior four crew—Thomas, Waddel, Field, and Crease—have been training very regnlarly under the guidance of their coach (Mr. H. T. Farrer). The crew seems to be getting together bettor now, and is showing signs of improved combination. They have recently started rowing in the best and best boat. It is a difficult boat to sit and if they are able to sit it well they should not strike trouble later. The crew averages about list 51b. The maiden four—Bell, Cromie Tans ley, Player—have been training very steadily under the coaching of Mr. H. H. M* lie an. They are going quite nicely with a good swing, rowing a bright stroke. The only trouble seems to be a tendency to hesitate at the catch. They average about list 4lb. Mr. M. A. 'Turner continues to do good work with the jyonths' four— Gane, Kemp, Martin, Mahoney— who are settling down to a nice swing with a good length. They have been rowing in fixed seats up till within the last few days, and naturally their work in the sliding seats has not been of the best. In the hands of their capable coach they shauld be a fine combination by regatta time, and it is expected that they will occupy a good position in their race. The lightweight maidens—Lincoln, Lowe, Walker, Taylor—are making very satisfactory progress. The boat has a good ran, and the crew a bright stroke. The objective of their training is 36 strokes to the minute, and judging from the way they are going at present there is no reason Why they should not be successful in their endeavour. It is unfortunate that Lincoln is unable to make the trip to Picton, and a substitute will have to be found. Walker will probably stroke the crew, and the substitute row. in the No. 2 position. The maiden double scullers—Comerford and Moftatt—have been putting in a lot of hard work, And both are sculling very well. The suitable length they have adopted gives the boat every chance of running between the strokes Iheir craft is very steady, and the scullers should be well up at the finish Hinkley and Cudby, the junior double scullers, will probably be racing at AVanganui .and Christchurch. At present they axe working up combination at odd moments between club races. So far, the club has been very successful with its programme of club races. Within one month of the commencement of the season the novice pairs, Fitzgerald fours, junior fours senior fours, and ladies' fours were completed, which is a record of good work done. Unfavourable weather has resulted in the postponement of the1 president's fours, for Tvhich ten crews have entered, exclusive of crews engaged in regatta training. _ An important julase-of the club's activities this season tas "been the attention paid to novices, who have "been carefully looked after by a band of willing helpers, including Cooke and Mulhns. The latter, however, have now been forced to devote less attention lately to coaching work in view of training for their -own engagements later on in the season. Coaching of novices is one of the most important phases of a club's activities, and if carried out on right lines and done thoroughly is work from which, any elnb is sure to reap benefit. The success of an oarsman really depends on the amount of early coaching he receives and most clubs realise that if they are' to maintain their full strength and meet with a due measure of snecess m competitive rowing they must look to the future and train their men accordingly. Begatta Programme. The programme for the Picton regatta is as follows: 10.30 a.m., Maiden Fours, one mile (clinker); first £9 second £3. 11 a.m., Senior Fours, two' miles (Best-aud-Best), first £10, second £3. 11.45 a.m., Single Sculls one mile and a half (Best-and-Best)' first £4, second £1. 1 p . m Youths' Fours, one mile (clinker), first £8 second £3. 1.30 p.m., Junior Pairs! one mile (clinker), first £6, second £2 2 p.m., Lightweight Maiden Fours for crews lOst and under, one mile (clinker), first £9, second £2. 2.30 p.m., Senior Pairs, one mile and a half (Best-and-Best), first £5, second £2 Z, vP; mV ¥aiaen Pails, one mile (clinker), nrst £9, second £2: 345 p.m., Junior Fours, .one mile and a naif (Best-and-Best), first £9, second £2 4.30 p.m., Maiden Double Sculls, one mile (clinker), first £4, second £1. At the annual regatta on the Parramatta Eiver recently, Bob Pearce won the 2000 metres sculling championship of New South Wale ß in 6 minutes 40 seconds (states an exchange). This was a world's record, which is 21 seconds better than the Olympic record It is gratifying to hear that Pearce is retaining his good form and it is understood he has never been seen to greater advantage than at Parramattn. "I have been aSked whether I am in favour of scoring eight for a hit over the Doundary," said A. H H Gilligan, captain of the M.C.C. team' during an interview in Australia "In view of tho hitters -ive have I should think I. am.-'' j