WITH THE OARSMEN

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 848, 17 December 1929, Page 16

WITH THE OARSMEN

BY 1

“RIGGER”

SPLASHES Mr. D. Stotter, who rowed at West End on Saturday, is an all-round sportsman, plays senior Rugby for University, senior cricket for Suburbs, and rows occasionally at West End. He was bow in G. Conway’s crew, and rowed a good oar. Auckland light maidens will not row at Helensville. The crew will travel to Whangarei for the Northern regatta, however. Shore light maidens will not appear at Tauranga either. Davies will be representing Shore in the sculls at Tauranga. Dean is unable to attend the fixture. There should be a large field for this event. • * * Shore heavy maidens had a day out and rowed to Castor Bay on Sunday. It was a hard pull, but an enjoyable change from paddling round the usual course. * * * REGATTA CREWS Regatta crews from the city clubs were training hard during the weekend. Waitemata’s senior crew had a two-mile spin and took the water as follows:—C. Fearon (stroke), L. E. Brooker, D. Gallaher, R. Cruickshank (bow). The field for the light-maidens has narrowed down considerably through the withdrawal of Shore and Auckland, but there will be a larger field £or this class at Whangarei. Pierce, two in the Waitemata lights, has been away through illness, but was back in his old seat during the weekend training. The crew is going very well. Regatta crews are as already published. No alterations have been announced. OFFER TO WEST END Addressing members of the West End. Club on Saturday, Mr. R. L. Stewart, patron, said that Mr. John Clark, captain of the club during its most successful season, was prepared to assist the regatta men with their training. Mr. Clark had some time ago been given only a short time to live. He had concentrated on physical “jerks,” with the result that he was now quite fit again. He was prepared to visit the club two mornings a week to put members through the same exercises as those which had so greatly benefited him. Mr. Stewart recalled the successes of the club in pre-war days, and said that there was no reason why they should not be repeated if members would train conscientiously.

TRIAL RACING SUSPENDED It is understood that there will be no more trial racing until January 11. Regatta crews are training hard, and trials are forgotten by all except harassed committees with large programmes to get through. On January 11 all clubs will be rowing trials, as it is a good 3.30 tide. It looks, with so many trials to be rowed, as if the rowing season will extend far into the autumn this season. It is plainly desirable that Easter should see all programmes concluded. With a decreasing number of crews each Saturday, it would be foolish to let rowing drag out to a painful death through lack of interest. * * * ENTHUSIASTIC VETERANS Never before in the history of the West End Club, and possibly in the history of any Auckland Club, have there been five crews of veterans to take the water for this classic event on opening days. The veteran fours on Saturday were very keenly contested, and some of the oarsmen were celebrities in the Auckland rowing world. Such names as Pooley, Follas, Newdick and Spencer need no introduction to rowing enthusiasts. R. Cooper, bow in the winning crew, is better known as a Rugby football official, but he pulled a good stick. The races were watched with great interest, and it was surprising how fit the veterans were. Of course, some of the men showed signs of fatigue as the line drew near, but all stuck it out gamely, and the course was covered in quite good time. STUART- REID EIGHTS February 9 is the date decided upon for the Stuart-Reid eight-oared race. This is the day after the inter-club race for the Brett Cup. The race will be rowed on the Whau and Mr. D. H. Reston has placed his steam launch at the disposal of the committee to convey the boats up the harbour. Entries for the race close on January 25, and there will be a final meeting of the committee which controls the racing early in February to draw for positions and finalise all arrangements. Waitemata at present holds the trophy halving won it last season when the races were rowed from Hobsonville to Pine Island. * * * BOAT TO TAURANGA •Ti ie x, A ' R ’ A * has made arrangements with the Northern Steamship Company for the Rangitoto to sail for Tauranga on the evening of Boxing Day. The boat will return late on the evening of the following day. Mr. V. Dunne, chairman of the A.R.A. committee, asks through “Rigger” that rowing men travel on the boat, which is running for their convenience. Clubs may have their boats carried free if members give support to the engagement of the boat. * * ♦ WAITE MATA’S DEAD-HEAT During the weekend the final of trials for the Hugh Wright trophies was re-rowed by Waitemata. The trials were rowed last Saturday week, when Brooker’s crew dead-heated with Eaddy’s crew in the final. The water was bad and the re-row was postponed. Brooker beat Eaddy by a foot or so, after a close race. The short course along the tide deflector was used as that stretch of water was the course for the heats. Brooker’s crew was stroked by E. H. Bishop and Eaddy’s by J. Stevenson. The winning crew was E. H. Bishop, L. E. Brooker, H. Lawrence, P. Howard.