NELSON MAY COME BACK

NZ Truth, Issue 1198, 15 November 1928, Page 17

NELSON MAY COME BACK

Bright Prospects of Big Revival In Rowing (From "N.Z. Truth's" Special Rowing Correspondent.) It is good to hear that there is a revival of interest m rowing m Nelson. Those with long- memories will recall the old Wakatu crew which established a fine record some forty years ago.

•"THERE have been few better crews X seen out m the Dominion than that fine combination. Another crew such as that made up by the Westrupps and Co,, would put Nelson •on the map again m rowing. . The new club m Nelson is composed of youths, but some of them give great promise. Moreover, they have some wealthy people behind them, and are to be well provided with boats. \ It is said that rowing was never stronger m Canterbury than it is today, but oarsmen there are handicapped by the limitations of the Avon. It was hoped to improve the stream for rowing purposes, but the cleaning away of the weeds has only given the water a better getaway arid lessened the depth. However, the new weir should help things along somewhat. Excellent form was , shown by the Cantei-bury eight which won the championship last season, and it was plain that the crew had been well coached by H. Ayres. . No doubt the Canterbury crew -will make a big effort to.' retain the cup which they won so well last season. When m Sydney on his way back from Henley- on -Yarra regatta, Clarrie Healey placed an order on behalf of the Wanganui Union Club with Geo. Towns for a new best-andrbest four to replace the one smashed m transit to

.Melbourne. The new skiff is expected to come to hand m time for the Wellington regatta. Healey told an interviewer on his arrival at Wellington that the form shown by the Moaman eight was very good, but he was of opinion that New Zealand could produce a better crew. He agrees with" the view previously expressed m "Truth" that the standard of rowing m the, Dominion, speaking .generally, is superior to th&t m Australia. ' "Truth" has always maintained that New 'Zealand oarsmen are capable of holding- ! their own with the best m the world. When this idea was given expression to m these columns some 1 years ago a southern scribe said it was, no doubt, better to be optimistic rather than pessimistic, but he declared it savored of a waste of money sending an eight to Australia, to meet crews that had specialised m eight-oared rowing for years. J ■ ! , ' ■ What happened when the All Black crew stroked by Healey met the crack eights on the other side was just what those who pinned their faith to the New Zealanders expected — -our • oarsmen showed that they, could adapt themselves to eight-oared rowing readily, and they won easily.