The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1899-09-18
AT WORK,
Rowing, Men Gather
at the Lake to See
Him Practice.
ANOTHER CANOE ACCIDENT.
Large Crowds at the Lake
Club Houses Yes
terday.
ANOTHER CANOE ACCIDENT.


Ras Rogers was the biggest attrac-
ton at the lake yesterday in more ways
than one. His presence drew a number
of boating men to the lake all of whom
were anxious to see how he handles
the SOULS. Rogers is rowing a different
style than when he was last seen on
the waters of the lake. 1t resembles
greatly the style of the worlds cham
pion, Jake Gaudaur.
Boating men were amused at an at
tempt at criticism of his style which
appeared in Sunday paper, not The
Spy. The screed only served to show
that the person who was responsible
for it has much to learn on sculling.
The principal criticism was that Ro-
gers is rugged too high. Rogers didn't
change his rigging yesterday on ac-
count of the alleged criticism and boat
ing men who saw him at work yester-
day laughed heartily when they recall
ed what was written about Rogers
boat being rugged too high.
Rogers shell is rugged somewhat
higher than that of any
other sculler who has been
seen on the waters of the lake this sea-
son, but high rigging is necessary for
Rogers, as he is a tall sculler, and sits
high in his shell. He is not rugged a
particle too high, as anybody who
knows aught of sculling can readily
see by the way he clears the water on
the finish of the stroke and the posi-
ton his hands are in. He pulls them
into his body at the proper place,
showing that he does not lose an ounce
of power in his stroke
His style is somewhat different from
any style seen at the lake this sea-
son. He does not make as long a
reach as the average sculler, neither
does he go back as far in his stroke
His position during the stroke is excel
lent. He sits well upright, and not on
ly can get every ounce of power in his
blades but the good form in which he
SOULS keeps down fatigue. He is not
in a cramped position at any time dur
ing the stroke.
Rogers acquired the stroke in the last
few years 1t is not the stroke he used
to row. When ne saw how the cham
pion rowed he studied out the advant-
ages of his stroke and patterned his
after that of Gaudaur. One of the
greatest advantages of the stroke is
that he can get the SOULS in and out
much faster than when rowing his pre-
Vious STYLE partly on account of the,
lack of long reach and partly on ac-
count of quick finish. He can raise,
his stroke several notches without the
same difficulty that a man rowing a
long sweeping stroke experiences.
Rogers took two spins yesterday, one
IN the morning anG the other in the at
ternoon On the first spin he went ov-
er the south course, putting in a hard
four miles. In the afternoon he rowed
over the regular course and did the
distance in excellent time, considering
the conditions. A stiff breeze blew
from the south kicking up the surface
to no small degree. When going with
the wind Rogers did not appear to row
as Clearly as might be expected from
a sculler of his ability. He was putting
the strokes in fast, however, doing al
least 30 to the minute for the first
half mile. After that he slowed down
TO about 30 to the minute. He had a stiff
wind against him on the home trip. bur
he rowed in better form than when 90
ing up and sent the shell along at great
speed. He made a strong finish and
delighted his hackers, who watched
him from the float of the Wachusett
boat house.
Rogers weighs nearly 100 pounds and
desires to train off few pounds before
he meets Durham on the 9th. He
thinks the task will not be easy as the
last few pounds always come off hard.
Judging by his appearance when he
hnlshed yesterday he ought not to
have as much difficulty as he exnec+s
When he finished his spin he was reeIx-
ing with Precipitation, and daily rows
ought to pull him down to weight.
He will attend to his own training
since Ten Eyck will not be in WorcAso
ter to look after him Rogers has his
system Of training made out and will
follow the routine. He began in earnest
yesterday. In the early morning he took
a l2-mile spin on the road, which he fol-
lowed up with row on the lake. An
other nard row in the afternoon com
pleted his work for the day He intends
to follow that plan every day, regard
less of weather conditions, as he fears
lay off will put on weight rapidly. He
said yesterday he will have to guard
against increasing in weight having
learned lesson few days ago. He LET
up slightly in his work and was greatly
surprised to find that he had gained
seven pounds in a day or two. He said
he does not regret Ten Eyck's absence
and thinks he can train himself better
than Ten Eyck could.
If Rogers does not show signs of
going back he will carry considerable
money on the race if the Durham party
bring down bundle which everybody
expects they will. One of the men in the
Rogers stake said yesterday he would
wager 5000 that Rogers would win. and
he had not seen Rogers at work when
he made the statement. After the soul
Ter rowed. the man said he would wager
more than 5000.
Another canoe accident took place at
the lake yesterday afternoon, but the
occupants were able to swim so that a
repetition Of the drowning of the week
previous did not occur. The accident
happened in the middle of the lake, near
the Quinsigamond boat house. The men
remained with the canoe until helm
came and they were lowed ashore. They
changed their clothes in the Quinsiga-
mond house and returned to the city
none the worse for their ducking.
The steamers of the Lake Quinsiga-
mand company We're running regular
trips yesterday on account of the
crowds which went to places along the
south shore. The Svea Gille had a con-
cert at its house near Goodnow's land
ing, the Norton Emery Wheel company
band furnishing music. There was
large attendance during the day in
spite of the lateness of the season.
The Frontenacs entertained a large
party Of friends yesterday. A clambake
was the attraction at the house, and
nearly every member was present
There were also many invited guests
and a general good time was had.
There was no attraction at Lincoln
park yesterday, yet crowd of respect
able size went there expecting a band
concert. The day was fine, one of the
most pleasant of the season at the lake.
as the sun shone brightly and it was not
too cool for comfort. The boat liveries
did large business considering the