SOWING.

Otago Witness, Issue 2812, 5 February 1908, Page 57

SOWING.

REGATTA FIXTURES. February 15. — Christohureh. February 29.— Wellington. March 4. — Invercargili. March 23. — Dunedin (Port Chalmers). March 23.— Napier (Championship). BY STROKF. The proverbial good luo! of the Ravensbourne Regatta Committee in alwayi getting fine weather for their regatta still continues, last Saturday turning out a beautiful day. The sun was warm, and the water suited both the sailing craft and the oarsmen, a light sou-easter blowing all the _afternoon. . ' .For the only regatta race on the programme there were three entries— the NorthEnd, Port Chalmers, and Otago. All were likely-looking- crews,, but when the race had ■ started the first-named soon dropped behind, and they afterwards broke a seat, which quite spoilt any chance they may ' have had. The Port soon creptahead of th« Otago crew, who were greatly fancied by - their Supporters, but the Port boy combination was too good. They rowed a long steady stroke with a good 1 Jeg drive and ' splendid body swing (the correct stroke, especially against the *md), and gave the onlookers the impression that they could easily have put on another length or two to their already three-lengths lead. The Otago crew did not row nearly as well as on Boxing Day. Instead of rowing his long swinging stroke, Stevens was just making a. spasmodic tap at the beginning of the stroke, and then letting the oar run through the water, an example the rest of the crew quickly followed. Stroke and . No. 3- will need to- smarten <ip a bit if they intend visiting lnvercargjll next month, as that style w-ilj not get them in any position if the r e are any good pairs about in . the Maiden Pairs. The Dunedin Amateur Club's race broughl out four crews, and the club and its energelio captain (J. W. ShankJand) ate to be congratulated on making such a good show. There are not many who are awara that a few of the most enthusiastic members on the night before the regatta wer& , out in the mud mtil just on midnight getting tbeiT boats across to the Otago. shed. 3 'It was no easy job, % the-men having a try. • iag time, but it shows that they are going to sac their present difficulties through, and come what may intend- .to be "all there" at whatever local regattas are being held. It is quite on the cards that their new shed will be built on the opposite side of th« harbour, as there is more water over there. At first reading one would say it was too far away, but as most of the present mem- ' bers now belong to South Dunedin it wou'dl not be much further for them to walk round the head. Besides, it is quite likely 1 , that the club may secure a few residents of Anderson's Bay as members. The club race on Saturday resulted in. a wir for Dowland's crew, who rowed well. . As in the Otago Club's race two of the crews fouled, and were thus thrown out o5 the running. It was pleasing to see our old friends , Conwav and Rapson still taking seats in the crews. I hope that they will see their . way to represent the lub at the next regatta. The Otaco Club were able to put in six orews for their club race at Ravensbourne. The race promised to be a good one. but soon after starting, Kerr and M. Priest's crews (who were a length ahead af the others) fouled 1 , and the other four quickly passed them. A great go ensued between Mifis and P. Price\ the tatter just squeezing home by a few feet. Soolan (who had a bad rudder) was a fair third. The extra boats for this race were kindly lent by the D.A.8.C., to whom the Otago Club tender their thanks Owinsr to working a good deal of overtime, the Port members have done littla during the last week. The only crew who did any practice at, all was the Maiden crew for KaTensbOTjrne. The CIvA. Ra«<s (President's Fours) has not yet been de- . cided, and has again been postponed until the men are able to get down more regu- . larly. ' • I noticed the representative crew down aft Ravensbourne on Saturday. Fhey were having one or two snins up and down tha ■■ course, under the direction of their coach. ' Although the recovery and slide work was fairly good, the body swing was very poor. » "I could not help contrasting the difference in this respect between the IJort Maidens and the representatives. The form shown • by the former (when racing) gave one th« imoression of the body swing and leg drive being very solid. 'There was an entire absence of these two important features in the representatives* rowing. lam allowing for the .fact that they were not racing but doing slow work, but even when prac* tising the latter kind of work the bod< swing, if not the drive, should be regula* and even. The men do not yet swinsj straight, nor does the swing between 'stroke, _ I three, end two appear at all even. Thi* it chiefly on account of No. 3-Jbeing rathe* apt to let his Blide run, and, No. 2 being much too late in lifting wtth the shoulders. When these' two defects are remedied, then the swing and paoe of the boat will be much better, but not until then. The men are sticking to their work well, and training as well as can be expected. They have not done fast work yet, as they are a light crew, and there is a long time yet for their contest, with Southland. In view, however, of there competing at Christchurch on Saturday week they will/want some fast sprints about the end of this week. This, however, can be safely left to their coach, who thoroughly understands his men and ' knows exactly what they cen do .and the proper time for them to do it in. The' Otago Club are busy this week irt getting off their Ladies' Challenge Cup Race. There are eisht crews, and the winner is (s ttsoal m these events) very hurl to pick. However, for the final I think J., Kerr and Stephens will fight ifr out, with, perhaps, Milk as third <jrew. One or twa crews, notably J. Kerr'a, Mffis's, and Fair;* bairn's, have been considerably strong* thened by the inclusion of substitutes who are better men than the original men selected, and thia will make these crews much more dangerous than they would have bean, had they rowed as when -first picked.

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