The Washington herald., 1916-05-07

CANOEISTS Will
ATTEND Meeting
To Discuss Plans for Big Re-
gatta at Washington Canoe
Club Tuesday Night.
ALONG THE RIVER FRONT
By EUGENE NJ. FosTEH.

ALUNG HE klpEk FkUNl 1
BY EUGENE NJ. FOSTER.
All canoeists along the Potomac are in
terested in the meeting to be held at
the Washington Canoe Club on Tuesday
night, when. delegates from the various
canoe and boat clubs will meet to make
definite arrangements for the big re-
gatta TO be held on the river July Is.
The first step toward laying plans for
the affair was taken May !. when
meeting of representatives from the
various clubs met at the Builders Ex-
change Building and formed an organi-
cation which they named the Associated
Canoeists Regatta Association.
1t has not been definitely settled
whether the regatta will be open only
to canoeists or If shell boat and yacht
racing will be added to the list of events.
If such is the case, it will no doubt
be- an elaborate affair and will attract
many spectators. but If events are
limited only to canoeists it will not be so
attractive as an aquatic event.
In speaking of the affair a number
of independent canoeists stated that un-
less special events are listed in which
the clubs are barred, they could not give
the regatta their support What
chance would the independent have
against such men as the Washington
Canoe Club could turn out" said one OF
those who happened not to belong to any
of the well organized clubs. They
make a speciality of such work, are
continually training and have even
ordered special racing boats. I am per
fectly willing to take my chances
against them in some Of the events, but
do think that a few special races from
which they would be barred should be
arranged"
1t is to be hoped that these matters will
be thoroughly gone into at the meeting
Tuesday night and all such dificuities
smoothed out so that the affair will be
one that will make the whole of Washing
| ton sit up and take notice.
Washington's llfe-saving brigade has
been getting new recruits every day and
by the time the season gets into full
swing the Potomac should have a good
large corps Of efficient life savers that
will materially cut down the large per-
centage Of drownings that annually oc-
cur
Instructor Drummer. chief Of Mai Pull
mans police nfe-saving corps. has had
class of high school boys up above the
Three Sisters" each afternoon teaching
them the art OF life saving.
He stated llat MS class Is very dlICl-
tive and is progressing splendidly.
Il am glad TO get the chance to teach
these boys the work. a it may be the
means OF preventing a sad drowning dur
ing the summer months when the river
Is crowded with pleasure seekers. I hope
more of them will come out, but one
thing, I don't want them to sneak away
from home without first letting their
people know where they are going
Maj. Pullman is fortunate in having
such an efficient man as Brunner to
handle this work, as he Is an expert
swimmer and has taken a great interest
in imparting his knowledge Of life savIng
TO others
Present reports indicate that the dance
to he given in Dempsey's ball room. on
Wednesday, May t. TO raise funds to
support the Independent Life Saving
Corps. bids fair TO be a great success,
both financially and socially.
r. G. Dixon. who has the affair in
charge. has been working hard to make
the event one long to be remembered
by local canoeists. AS n special attrac-
ton he has secured as music for the
evening an orchestra composed Of
Hawaiian musicians and there is sure
to be no complaint on that score
II there ever was a movement that de-
served the support of the Potomac River
Canoeiats, it is this benefit for the indie
pendent life savers. for not only will
one be doing a great service. but he
is assured his moneys worth in return.
The Water Front Safety Committee
will hold a meeting in Maj. Pullman's Of
flee. in the District Building, at 4:45 Fri
day evening, to discuss plans for thor
oughly organizing life saving work for
this season.
It is understood that the Washington
Canoe Club has ordered a number Of
new racing shells from Canada and ex-
peCt to give a good account of them
selves in the large regattas in the East
this season.
The aquatic committee of the Inter-
Canoe Club Association has drafted a
new set of racing rules and regulations
that will be used to govern canoe re-
gattas and will tend to prevent such
misunderstanding that occur occasional
ly in canoe races.
The Analostan Boat Club has had a
couple of boats OF juniors out each even
ing learning the art Of rowing, and from
what they have shown to date Coach
Hecox will have a lot Of good material
from which to select his Junior eight.
AS for his senior oarsmen, things are
not so bright He has had few of them
working out, but has been unable to get
eight of them in the boat
1t Is not understood how Hecox's senior
men expect to win races without train
ing. 1t is thought that after their race
Of Labor Day last at philadelphia, when
they lost the senior event by four feet
after having lead most of the way down
the course. would have awakened them to
the fact that it matters not, how good
9n oarsman a man may be. he can be
beaten by far inferior oarsman If he
does not get himself into condition. The
crew that rowed the race in Philly had
only been in training two weeks. and
they plainly showed it by dying right at
the finish when they all but had the race
won.
Again in their race against Navy last
month, when they were entirely outclass-
ed, they showed the effects of practically
no training
Five days or two weeks training will
never win a senior race for any crew, It
matters not how good oarsmen they are,
and the quicker Alanostan's senior men
| realize that the better for them.
Coach Hecox has a number of good
| senior men and could whip togeather a