Evening star., 1909-03-09
TO TRY NEW ROWING COURSE
Georgetown Glass Race May Come
Off on Lower Potomac.


IF present plans materialize the George
town freshmen-senor boat race will be
rowed over a new mile and a half course
on that part of the Potomac bordering on
the new boulevard above Long bridge
Some years ago this stretch Of water was
used quite extensively by local oarsmen.
but of late has not been the scene of races
because Of its roughness. Being un-
sheltered from the wind on all sides, a
slight breeze will make the water wavy,
while at the same time the upper course
above Aaueduct bridge will remain as
smooth as glass.
Numerous advantages. however, Of the
boulevard course over the one most used
have been pointed out of late which
may cause big shift in the scene of
future regattas. The upper course is
interrupted by the Three Sisters a
rocky island in the middle of the
stream. which not only narows the
width. but also demands a curve in the
direction, thus making the stretch of a
somewhat crescent shape. Many efforts
nave been made to get Congress to ap-
propriate money to remove these OBJ
stacles, and once some private indi-
viduals attempted to blast them out,
but SO far nothing successful has been
done, with the result that one of the
pest rowing courses In the country may
be abandoned The completion of The
Baltimore and Ohio railroad along the
northern bank will make it all the more
advantageous for regatta purposes, but
even this will not be sufficient to over
come the disagreeable presence of the
rocks.
On the other hand. the lower course
will extend straightaway for two mics
and more along one of the most beautiful
drives of the city. Spectators will be able
to view whole race from one point on
the bank. while carriages and auto
mobiles can follow the boats as is done
In Fairmont Park, Philadelphia. Such
a place should be far superior for boat
racing than the other part of the river
where spectators can only see a part Of
a race and then under most unfayor-
able circumstances.
or course. the water on the lower river
is often too rough for good rowing, but
when such should turn out to be the case
the crews could very easily settle their
differences on the other stretch. and hence
no one would be the loser The matches
or regattaS can simply be scheduled for
the boulevard course and then if, when
the day comes around, it is found to be
impI acticable to run them off there. they
can shift to above the Aqueduct bridge,
where the events can be pulled off without
a bit Of trouble.
The reason that the Hilltop MANAGEMENT
is going to try the new course is for the
purpose of creating more interest in
aquatics in Washington. 1t is thought
that big. crowd will turn out to see a
race where every one is sure of a good
place from which to watch the doings,
and if such proves true it may mean new
life for rowing at the Blue and Gray
school.
Every day now Coach Russell has a
large squad Of men on the river, always
enough for three boats and often for four
Inauguration week stopped practice for
a couple of days, but since then every one
has been on the job regularly and pros
poets for good eights all around are ex-
ceedingly bright. The coach is especially
son and makes no effort to hide his views
With but four weeks to elapse before the
first race some hustling will have to be
done to get the green men in condition,
but If the weather keeps favorable it is
believed that all will be in tip-top shape
for the first real test.