Rowing.

The final selection of the eight has been made, and the crew has been getting in some solid work over the last two weeks. Present indications show that while the crew is very keen, the two newcomers to the game are having a little difficulty. An eight is so much faster than a four, and the "feel" of the boat different, that these men may find three miles a fairly hard task. However, they are keen and keenness will over-come many difficulties. The main cause for complaint is probably in the stroke. He has had no experience in the stroke seat, and many a race has been won by sheerly his tactics. Either Hansen or Broad, both good oarsmen and with practical experience, would have been a better choice. The crew rowed at Petone over the week-end, and a casual glance shows that more attention should be paid to timing and to pulling the blade right through to the finish. This "washing out" should be stopped. The two best men in the boat are Bowling and Hansen, with Broad and Burge rowing nice sticks. Provided stroke can overcome his tendency to rush forward when increasing the rate of stroking, the crew should be well up. Rushing the slide is a common fault, and the sooner it is learnt that it is speed through the water and not speed coming forward that counts, the better.