The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1904-02-14
ADOPTS SLOW Stroke
FOR THE HARVARD CREW
Rowing Squad Gets New Practice
Under Coach Colson, Formerly
of Cornell.
NO HASTE IS ALLOWED
Arms of the Oarsmen Move
Slowly, Turning Their Wrists
Mechanically.
70 HASTE IS ALLOWED

CAMBRIDGE, Mass, Feb. 13.-F. d. Col
son, the old Cornell coxswain, who has ar
rived in Cambridge to take charge of Har-
wards oarsmen, is greatly pleased with the
husky candidates who compose the Grim
sons rowing squad. Mr.. Colson thinks that
Harvard's chances upon the water are ex-
celient this year. He pronounces the var
sity men excellent material" and Is de-
lighted with the freshmen squad, composed,
as it is, of fine, big. strapping fellows who
will some day be heard of in the varsity
shell,
Mr.. Colson has taken hold OF things
with a vigorous hand in the few days since
he arrived First he set himself to study
ing the old stroke which Harvard has
used with such poor success for the last
several years. He found. to his surprise,
that this stroke is very similar to the one
which he intends to teach the Crimson
oarsmen this year, and which has pulled so
many Cornell crews to victory. The main
difference is in the recovery. Harvard s
recovery was quick-so quick, in fact, that
it tended to interrupt the smooth action
of the boat and to impede it's progress by
sending it through the water in short.
quick jerks. Cornell's recovery, on the
The theory is that once the shell is
under way nothing should be done to
destroy the momentum which it has &C
quired. A slow recovery, it has been DEM
onstrated, not only rests the men but is
absolutely essential to the even progress of
the shell. In other words, Harvard's oars
men in the past have been killing them
selves" in doing something which has posi-
INN cd ha of
The method which Coach Colson has
taken to remedy this evil is a peculiar one
and one to which Harvard's oarsmen find
1t difficult to adjust themselves. Hereto
fore during the winter months the boat
houses have rung with laughter and been
filled with noise. Now everything has a
funereal aspect and the deepest silence per-
vades the place. Instead of coming for
their afternoon practice in squads the can
didates now come in punches of tours and
fves. And instead of hurrying through
their work on the machines with quick,
vigorous strokes they now go through their
movements with a SlOWneSS that is almost
painful to see.
In order to get every point down perfect
Mr. ColSon has PUT mark of stern dis
approval on everything resembling haste
The arms of the oarsmen move like cater
pillars. AT the end of the stroke they turn
their wrists mechanically and go back on
the recovery as slowly and cautiously az
they came. 1t is a funereal and painful
process, but it is 1aughable as well, eSpec-
tally for those who are looking on and re-
call the slap-dash, noisy days of yore. All
this, however. is bound to have its good
results.
The varsity candidates, by being divided
into small squads, are able to get much
more individual attention than heretofore,
and they all say they are learning a lot
For several weeks they will continue at
their present snails pace, and il is ex-
pected that when the time comes to go out
doors they will have good working knowl-
edge of the stroke which they will use
this year.
Raymond Oveson, the big football player.
has joined the squad OveSon never rowed
before, but thinks he would like it. and in
asmuch as he is a splendidly built chap
the coaches are giving a great deal of at
tention to him. Hartwell however, has
decided that he cannot row this year on
account of pressure of law-school work
Shuebruk. of the 1901 and 1902 crews, is
again on the squad. Last year he did not
row, account OF law-school work but
this season the situation has lightened and
he is able to give time and effort to the
sport. His presence is a great addition to
the squad.