The morning call., 1890-07-07
SUNDAY SPORTS.
A Coast Record Beaten by the
Oakland Canoe Club.
Connors Defeats Sidou in Two Straight Falls.
Shooting at Harbor View-Newark
Coursing -Hand.Bal

Canoeing is pastime that is given an en-
viable position among aquatic sports.
There is a dancing buoyancy to the grace
full craft that wins the devotion of those
who have overcome distrust to its frailty;
and none the less attractive is the romance
that is and always has been associated
with the dip of the paddle. the delightful
motion, and the quiet gliding over beau
tiful waters or through sequestered glades.
Novelists have introduced pleasant fan
cies into their portrayal of beautiful In
dian maidens speeding canoes over inland
waters, with dainty paddles flashing in the
sunlight, and dusky faces animated with
desire for victory.
SCIENCE OF PADDING.
The management of canoe with pad
die is science that is not easily acquired.
On the lake, when strong breeze filings
white caps in every direction. a trick in the
turn of the paddle will cause the PROV to
split the wave and permit the vessel to
skim along without laboring. But canoe
ing on a rapid river forces an experience in
steering which cannot be gained elsewhere.
To shoot the dangerous rapids, or steal up
from one eddy to another. entails nicely
and tirmness IN guidance that only comes
from persistent practice.
The Chinook Indians on the northern
part of this Coast are recognized as among
the most proficient canoeists in the world.
They are reared in canoes, gain their llyell-
hood from them and make very long trips
along the coast within the shelter OF the
outlying islands. Their racing contests are
extremely exciting. From fifteen to twenty
one men take their places in each canoe,
every man except the steerer planting one
foot on the gunwale, this attitude enabling
them to throw all their strength and skill
into the work. Off they go, their paddles
dipping with lightning rapidity, and their
yellS of defiance ringing over the water.
The finish is magnificent Their canoes
seem to be lifted above the current as they
spring forward, as if in sympathy with the
dashed waters. The redmen bend their
1.-THE bodies low over the gunwales and dip
faster and faster. The winning canoe flies
past the finishing point, and yell goes
forth again and again from the victory
crazed contestants, to be answered as fire.
quently by the spectators.
IoDERN-BUILT CANOES.
The primitive form of the canoe, or, more
properly termed, 'dugout," has undergone
so many changes with the progress OF civ
iliZaton as to become almost unrecOgnza-
bic. A log. followed by fire and shaped
with an AK. or a framework covered with
birch bark, has been relegated to the con-
venience OF residents in lncOnvenent loo al
tiles; but the trim little cedar-rIbbed YES
sells, with widespread sails, that dart over
the water that lap the shores of modern
towns and fashionable resorts, are models
of beauty, comfort and speed.
The sixth contest for the Oakland Canoe
Club trophy was held yesterday afternoon
at the Oakland Estuary. The course was
three miles with turn. A strong breeze
came from the bay, and enabled the Whls-
per to beat the Coast record by over two
minutes. S. A. Hackett acted as starter and
NJ. z. Wiggiu was time-keeper.
The entries in the first class were the
Dart, sailed by John &. Olsen, and the Mys-
tic, sailed by Commodore w. w. Blow.
The Mystic won in 80 minutes, 10 seconds,
beating the Coast record of 80 minutes, aud
increasing its points to "a. The Dart fol-
lowed in 30 minutes, 13 seconds, making its
total points 26.
In the second class the entries were;
Whisper, W. G. Morrow; Bonita, a. L.
Gump, and Gypsy, A. Ii. Blow. The Whis-
per came in first in 81 min. 40 sec, making
its total points 81; Gypsy second. in 80 min
utes, total points, 90; Bonita third, 43 min
utes, total points, II.