ROWING.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2643, 27 October 1909, Page 3

ROWING.

N.Z. CHAMPIONSHIP REGATTA. TPer Press Associ \tion. I DUNEDIN, October 26. The Queen’s Drive Boating Club decided to support- the Canterbury Rowin o- Club’s protest against the championship regatta being held at Pieton on New Year’s Day. NOTES. (By “Double-scull”.) An inspection of the Poverty Bay Club’s shed shows it to be well advanced and there is practically only the balconv to complete. The boats have all been safely housed, and fifteen crews have been selected to-row for Mr. B. S. Cox’s trophies. These races will take place in about one month’s time, and it is the intention of the management to strict-? Jy insist that all members row in proper uniform. This is a matter that ah members should take a pride in themselves, for criticisms by the public are much more frequent regarding this than memb.e.rs~Lgsp.ec.t.,.^^-— The* 'following is a synopsis - of style of rowing, adapted from Woodgate and MoFarlane, who are great authorities on rowing. Their theories are recognised by the New South Wales Rowing Association as being the most complete and advanced of any. The Seat. —Sit on the buttocks (not on the “tail”). Adjust the stretcher so that when you slide right forward you can touch the front chocks with ease. When the slide is right back, the legs are still a little bent. Sit square, plant the feet square, and set the hands iquare. The Grip of the Oar.—Grip the oar with the hands about three inches apart. Grip with the fingers, not with the palm of the hands, thumbs underneath. . . . To Reach Out.—Bring the slide right forward against the chocks. When the slide is in this position, the body should have swung so far forward from the hips with the arms straight that the blade of the oar is well ahead of the poppet. To Catch. —Keep the arms straight and lift the shoulders smartly from tile hips, throwing the whole weight of the body on to the oar. At the same time press the feet firmly against the stretcher, and do not move the slide until the body has swung back just beyond the perpendicular. Grip the water exactly where the blade is when you. are right out. "~ s*. To Drive.—Almost, but not quite, simultaneously with the catch, drive both feet against the stretcher as • vigorously as possible. As the slide is thus'being driven back- keep the arms straight, and continue to swing baclc from the hips (without screwing). This brings into action at the same time the full strength of the legs, the back anti the loins. . , , To Finish:—When the slide has reached the hack chocks, bend the arms and rip the hands, home to the body as hard and as fast as you can—the root otf the thumb against the ribs. Let the elbows pass close to the sides of the body. While bringing the hands home keep the abdominal muscles firm, so as to prevent body from sinking away or rolling, i.e.,. “sit up at the finish.” I To Recover. —The instant the roots I of the thumbs touch the ribs, drop the •hands and forearm from the elbows sufficiently to lift the blade clear or the water. Turn on the feather and drive the hands right out until the arms arc quite straight. Do not turn on the feather until the hands have been dropped. Swing the shmifilers up after the hands are just past the perpendicular. Then start the slide forward. As the slide is coming forward, continue to swing the body forward from the hips. Control both

I * slide and body on the Recovery, (1) by keeping ! the feet pressed against the stretcher, and (2) by pressing the button of the oar against the poppet. Raise the hands gradually while coming forward (to counteract tiie swinging of the body) and keep the blade oil the oar close to the water. Turn off the feather gradually when nearing the end of the swing forward. Throughout the recovery keep the shoulders braced firmly down and forward, particularly when .about to catch. The moment the slide touches the forward chocks, without the ; slightest, pause, lift the shoulders sharply .over the blade, and thus»begin the next stroke. Members of both sheds would do well to study the foregoing. 1? , Association in annexing the Ist January as the date of the Championship meeting certainly gives rise to some comment in view of the fact that such date clashes-with old established regattas at the Bluff, Lyttelton, anil Auckland. A strong reason for the comment is that from these regattas southern clubs at least have a guide for picking crews for the Championship and if the dato were some four or five weeks later these clubs would be in a better position. to do so. • It is to- bo hoped that the parent body will consider the views of the clubs affected and thus ensuro a successful meeting.