Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-10-14
FOREIGN 0ARSMEh
TO Be Invited
Planning to Make the Next Po-
tomac River Regatta One of
Unusual importance.

1t is now an almost assured fact that the
National Association of Amateur Oarsmen
will select jamestown, Va. as the meeting
place for Its regatta next year. and also 1t
will be held in the month of August, when
the number of visitors to the exposition
will be at its highest tide from every Sec
ton of the country. With this much set
tied. it will be the aim of the Potomac
River Regatta Association to fix upon
date for its regatta In close proximity, In
order that the oarsmen may visit this city
and participate in the local regatta. It
will be the only opportunity the rowing
men of this city will have to get
the clubs from the north, east and west
as experience has taught him the fruitIess
task Of endeavoring to induce crews to
make two trips south In one yeaf.
At next years national regatta the exec
utivc committee of the National Associa lion
of Amateur OdrSmen is going to make heroic
efforts TO induce some of the best crews and
scullers of Great Britain Germany, France
and Belgium to cross the Atlantic and
measure strokes with the picked ones Of
the United States and Canada.
Although the executive committee does
not expect much success In landing any Of
the crews of Great Britain, there are bright
hopes that the noted Belgian crew. the one
that beat the world at the Henley regatta
this year. will come, as will also the Royal
Berlin Club of Germany. and snares are
being laid to gather In the famous All
Paris crew of the Royal Seine Navy Of
France. OF course II these distinguished
visitors come to our shores to test their
mettle against our representatives, the Po-
tomac River Association Will arrange the
date of It's regatta at such a time as to
bring all the stars here. The national re-
gatta is generally held for two days-Fri-
day and Saturday-and the members of the
Potomac River Association believe that II
they should select day In the week follow
corral the best of the visitors. This be-
lief Is taking firm root in the minds of the
local people and 1t Is pretty certain that
approximate the date of the national asso-
citation in order that the time may be set
for this city.
To Shorten the Course.
Another step toward improvement in the
racing details of the Potomac river regatta
is the one that will change the distance
Iimi, from a mile and half down to a mile,
excepting ali eight-oared races. or, In o-ter
words. adopting the plan Of the Middle
States Association. This plan would do
away with the turning races. and make all
straight dash, thereby preventing any
seeming chance of fouls or jockeying.
This change has been <Alked of for quite a
long time. and is regarded by the abiest
oarsmen of the country as the best plan
to bring out the best oarsmen and scullers
as all approach turning races with fear.
1t is more than probable that during the
year 1897 the entire rowing element of the
Potomac river will be under one banner,
all pulling for the success of the city first,
and then the association. II this comes
to pass. and there is every reason TO be-
Iieve 1t will, and that the Analostan and
Potomac boat clubs will work harmoni-
ously together. the local association will
reach a higher plane than ii occupies today,
and 1t is already near the very top.
Rowing Clubs at Work.
That the local clubs realize that next year
will be lively and vital one for them in
every way is shown by the preparations the
two clubs are making for the future Out
at the Analostian house all the old craft
are being worked over. and Coach Fred
Plasted who will winter here, will en-
deavor to put the two paper shells, eight
and four in first-class racing trim. Plaisted
is one of the few coaches who understands
the makeup of paper boats having served
an apprenticeship under Waters. the ia
NOUS builder, and he intends to put an
entire new bottom on both boats and bring
them back to racing crafts.
The Potomacs have started In to clean