Los Angeles herald., 1906-06-27
BRAWNY OARSMEN
WILL STRUGGLE
NEW ROWING CREW TO ENTER
FIELD
Athletic Club Places Contract for
Racing Shells and Expert Is
Chosen to Develop Latent
Aquatic Ability

Brawny oarsmen and bronzed, strug-
Cling with broad blades and bending
backs for Los Angeles Athletic club
honor is at present dream which lends
zest to the physical aspirations of To-
cal club members.
Within a few weeks, however, a re-
ality will have developed with the for
nation of several crews, chosen from
numerous husky athletes who are daily
preparing themselves at the gymna
SUM of the newly formed club. Ar
rangements have been made that will
result i'm two four cared shells, two
single sculls and five gigs being placed
on the Playa del Rey lagoon for the use
of the athletic club.
]. e. Franklin, in days gone by one
of the strongest racers to swing an
oar over an American waterway, has
been chosen to superintend the future
development of those desiring to be-
come proficient in the management of
the elusive shell and the heavy barge.
That one of the fastest crews in the
west will eventually. resolve itself from
the material at hand is practically as
sured. Mr.. Franklin Is q quiet convinc-
ing master of the oar who will be able
to select the cream of muscular activity
which exists in abundance for ready
development under his tutelage.
Frank Garbutt chaperoned party of
local enthusiasts to Playa del Rey yes
terday afternoon for the purpose of
thoroughly Investigating the facilities
of the beach management. No small
satisfaction was expressed by those in
terested in the immediate promulga-
ton of the sport, as the Playa del Rey
people have made provision for large
and convenient quarters at the south
end of the racing course.
Will Possess Club House
A section of the lower floor Of the
pavilion has been reserved as boating
and club house with ample accommo-
dation for large number of speeding
craft. A landing will be built at the
entrance enabling ready access to the
waters of the lagoon. An amphitheater
will be erected at the head Of the inlet,
overlooking the entire course.
Although the club officials have been
in communication with. eastern book
makers regarding racing shells and
gigs, it is probable that H. w. Stone
of San Diego will receive contract
for furnishing the paraphernalia to
be used on the Del Rey lagoon. The
southern builder will be able to supply
the boats necessary for an early start
and is expected to arrive in the city
shortly to confer with the local man
agement.
The beach course was thoroughly in
spected yesterday afternoon when a
party of Los Angeles enthusiasts were
carried over the course in a launch as
guests of the Del Rey management.
With the further dredging of the la
COON and the erection of an ampithe-
ater at the west end, Southern Califor-
MIA should possess one of the finest
courses in the west
Until recently Craftsmanship has been
confined to purely beach crews with
the Shermans and Ocean Park boys
supplying the aquatic attraction. When
the st. Vincent men placed barge on
local waters and participated in few
races impetus was given the sport.
Shell racing, however, has thus far
been conspicuous by it's absence and a
true insight as to the possibilities of
the sport has not as yet been developed.
But few regulation speed boats have
and until the shells with skimming
proclivities get into action no great
enthusiasm can result.
There is every reason to believe that
Craftsmanship is to form a crowning
feature of Southern California ath-
letics in the future, and the thrilling
sport which caused thousands to gather
OH TIE f1uuSOl d lew udyS d6O, WHSIS
the great college races occurred, is
destined to find fitting place among
southern sportsmen.
Stanford and Berkeley have placed
rowing crews on the water within the
past few seasons and one of the first
challenges to be issued by the local
club will be directed at California or
the Cardinals.
In the party which ran down to
Playa del Rey yesterday were several
of the club members who will en-
deavor to make the screw" While it
is the intention of Mr.. Franklin to
have as many men as possible on the
water there will necessarily come a
time when few of the select will be
chosen 10 compete against the best
the local organization.
Keen Rivalry Aroused
Keen rivalry is bound to result, as
the honor of attaining a place on the
first four will be no small one. The
local club boasts some of the finest
developed men in California and when
final choice has been made Los Ange-
les will doubtless possess one of the
strongest crews on the Pacific coast.
Endurance as the first requisite will
necessitate strenuous season of train
ing and physically fit in eevry sense of
the word must be the condition de-
manded from those attaining one of
the coveted positions.
Within thirty days one shell and gig
will be ready for service and in the
meantime those aspiring towards row.
ing honors will be allowed the use of
such boats as are now housed in the
Del Rev quarters.