A CHAMPION

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

A CHAMPION

Jackson's Rowing Career (From "N.Z. Truth's" Wanganui Rep.) To look at "Jacko" Jackson sitting m a boat one would think he had been born m one. But "Jacko" has not had a very long sculling • career. AS a matter oD fact there was a time ™ when Jackson thought of taking •up boxing rather seriously. It was not a knock-out that stopped him taking 1 on the fistic game. Oh! no. Jackson won the few fights he contested. Jackson was born at Blenheim twenty-five years ago and is one of the well-known rowing family of that name. At an early age he showed ability as a cricketer and footballer. He represented Marlborpugh m junior cricket matches. He also took on boxing, and might havd made a name for himself at that game had he gone on with it. As it was he had four fights and won the lot; one of his victims being Em. Young at Palmerston North. Jackson distinguished himself as a Rug-by player, winning his way into the Manawatu representative team by his solid play as a forward. Later on he played for Manawhenua, and then Wanganui, being among those sorted out for the last All Black trials. When only 17 years of- age he took on sculling, with "Paddy' 1 Hannan as his coach. However, Jackson left Blenheim and flifl no more sculling for six years. He then linked up witn the Union Club at Wanganui. It was only last season that he went m for sculling seriously, but , made rapid progress under the watchful eye of Joe Green with advice from Wm, Webb whenever 1 the ex-champion of the world had the opportunity to assist. Jackson first came into prominence by winning the Pearce Cup at the Wellington Regatta last season^ and later on annexed the Dominion championship. When he began training for rowing two seasons ago, Jackson scaled 15.15, but gradually reduced his weight and tipped the beam at 12.7 when he won the title. . ■