Oct 1951

THE BOAT CLUB The boating history of last term was, from the point of view of the School Fours, a series of disappointments. This does not mean that we were entirely without success; indeed, there were several notable performances culminating in a very fine effort by the 1st IV at York Regatta when they raced the winners to within three feet in the final of the White Rose event. The disappointments were the result of frequent alterations due to illness and examinations. It is a fact that, from the start of the racing season until York Regatta, only one crew had as much as a fortnight's continuous practice as a crew and some had less than a week. Our sympathy went out to A. N. C. Smith who, having won his place in the 1st IV in time for Newark Regatta—when the 1st IV was really showing great promise—was assailed by boils in a delicate spot, which affected his efficiency at Leeds Regatta and finally caused his retirement for the rest of the season. His place in the 1st IV was filled admirably at short notice

by C. W. Thompson, who had been stroking the 4th IV, so admirably that, as stated above, the crew were within three feet of winning the White Rose Cup. Another notable performance worth mentioning was that of X crew at Tyne Regatta in the Maiden event. They had three hard races to reach the final and were there beaten by Durham School by about half a length, the final being rowed about half an hour after the semi-final.

The acquisition by the School of the former Swimming Club premises proved its value in providing the Boat Club with a changing room and workshop. In the latter Mr. K. H. Rhodes was frequently to be seen re-leathering oars with skill and vigour. An artistic piece of designing and execution by R. Hawkins produced a painted sh'eld for the new premises and a squad of volunteers soon had new roofing felt on a leaky roof.

M. G. Goodburn, as Captain of Boats, filled the position with enthusiasm at all times. One may have had occasional doubts of his ability to organise the correct number of oarsmen, coxes, oars and coaches into the given number of boats (no light matter at the best of times), but of his energy and keenness, never. After the end of his examinations he undertook the re-making of some of the steps of the slipway and the re-painting of many oars; indeed, he repaired several oars and the least one can say about the success of this difficult task is that the repairs held.

The master-in-charge of boating must at all times depend on the co-operation of the Captain of Boats and no degree of efficiency can compensate for a lack of enthusiasm; thus, on consideration, it is abundantly clear that Goodburn was a worthy successor to the long line of Captains of Boats.

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