The Evening critic., 1883-06-29
AQUATIC ANTICS.
OgIc Observations OF Our Oarsm,

OgIc Obscrv0ttOnS OF Our OarSmen.
The river about and above Georgetown last
evening was alive with pleasure-boating par
ties and crews in training for the forthcoming
the Columbias were out and observed to be
pulling in quite nearly perfect form. Two or
three other fours, besides several singles.
house, and showed, by the manner In which
they sent their boats over the water, the ex--
cellent rowing qualities OF which the member
ship OF that club fs made up.
The Potomacs had out an eight and three
fours. Among the latter was the senior four
which this club Will send to Lynchburg on the
Fourth. Practice is Improving their form OF
rowing.
Among the several men In singles on the
river from the Potomac house was Austin
Herr, who sped his shell down the river in q
way which convinced the boys that In the re-
view races next week he Will come in several
lengths ahead of his contestants.
force last evening training Tor their annual
regatta, which occurs tomorrow evening.
An evening or two since Mr. John Kennedy
was asked his opinion OF Courtney as an oars
man, and he responded by simply saying, 81
tried last year TO get up a race with him, but
could not succeed IN having one arranged"
What better could Courtney do than accept a
challenge from Kennedy and come here where
he lost so much in reputation, and, by rowing
fair and square race with our townsman, win
back public confidence and restore honor to
his name as an oarsman. The Potomac Is one
of the finest courses in the country, and our
people are the fairest In their treatment OF
contestants In races ana games. Challenge
Courtney again, John.
The annual meeting OF the Potomac Club,
at which officers for the ensuing year are TO
be elected, falls this yoar on tho Fourth of
July. owing to the likelihood that most OF
the members will be out of town that day-at-
tending the Lynchburg regatta, or on other
excursions-a special meeting has been called
for Monday evening next to devise some plan
OF postponing the annual meeting to a date
when q full attendance of members can be
hoped for. Another way of getting over the
difficulty has been suggested; that is that a
few members barely meet and adjourn for a
week. BY the way, midsummer seems to
be the most inopportune time for the annual
meeting OF q boat club. This is Just the sea.
son when the affairs OF a club should proceed
without interruption, such as a change In OIL
GERS occasions.
The Columbia Club will hold one of It's semi
monthly hops this evening. The occasion i5
certain TO be an enjoyable one.
The arrangements for the Potomac River
regatta, 10 be held on the Sd OF October next,
are progressing satisfactorily. There will,
we understand, be no lack OF prizes to be
offered 10 the winners of the races that will
occur, and tho number OF out-of-town clubs
likely TO participate in the regatta prom
ises TO be even greater than the most
sanguine at first even hoped for. This re-
gatta bids fair to be entirely successful and
creditable alike to the clubs having the ar
rangements In hand and the citizens of the
District. In this connection We desire 10 sug
gest that the races In this regatta be rowed
over the upper course, Instead or wnat Is
known as the National or lower course. There
are good many reasons why the upper course
should DO chosen. A number Of the Oldest
and best-posted boatmen are IN favor OF It,
We shall take occasion TO refer to this matter
again by and by.
The gentlemen of the Columbia Boat Club
Will entertain their lady friends at hop at
the boathouse this evening. Tho dances at
the Columbia house are very popular among
the fair friends OF the club, and although this
is rather an impromptu AFFAIR, all who Intend
being present anticipate a delightful evening.
The Lynchbnrg regatta, which takes place
topic In boating circles, and II is expected that
a large number OF the friends OF the contesting
oarsmen VIII be on the ground TO witness the
races. The railroad company offers every IN
ducement 10 visitors, furnishing free trans
portation to boats, and reducing the round
trip fare 10 $3.50.
The residents OF. this city and vicinity are
rich in the possession OF such n romantic bit
Of water as the Potomac River, from the Aqpe-
duct TO Chain Bridge.
1t is delightfully."- cool ON the water when
most oppressive In tho city, and scores of
lightcrait are seen every evening dottlng the
river In all directions. The gay costume OF
the ladies, the bright uniforms OF the shell
crews and the flashing oars, make n pretty
scene, ihnt goes far toward convincing the
tired, overheated seekers after rest and re-
freshment that life 10 worth living, alter all.
Frazer, Ryan and Baker, who, with McKin-
ney, make UP the Potomac four, are all new
men, but under Kennedy's careful training
ON the river every evening, and are rowing
very fast and In lne form. An exciting raca
Is anticipated between the "blues" and the
'reds."