This page needs to be proofread.
156
Boating.

own resources, and before long they came to the conclusion that good amateur coaching and training was more effective than that of professionals. Mr. F. Menzies, the late Mr. G. Hughes, and the Rev, A. Shadwell, had much to do in con- yerting the O.U.B.C. to these wholesome doctrines. From that time amateurs of all rowing clubs have very much de- pended on themselves and their confreves for tuition in oars- manship and training.

The usual régéme of amateur training is now very much to the following effect.

Réveille at 6.30 or 7 a.m.—Generally a brief moming walk ; and if so, the ‘tub’ is usually postponed until the return from the walk. If it is summer, and there are swimming facilities, a header or two does no harm, but men should not be allowed to strike out hard in swimming, when under hard rowing rules. For some reason, which medical science can better explain, there seems to be a risk of straining the suspensory ar some other ligaments, when they are suddenly relaxed in water, and then extended by a jerk. (This refers to arms that have lately been bearing the strain of rowing.) Also, the soakage in water for any length of time tends to relax the whole of the muscular system. Whether tub or swim be the order of the morning, the skin should be well rubbed down with rough towels after the immersion. In old days there used to be a furore for run- ning before breakfast. Many young men find their stomachs and appetites upset by hard work on an empty stomach, more especially in sultry weather. The Oxford U.B.C. cight at Henley in 1857 and 1859 used to go for a rm up Remenham Hill before breakfast, and this within two or three days of the regatta. Sucha system w ould now be tabooed as unsound.

Breakfast consists of grilled chops or steaks; cold meat may be allowed if a man prefers it, If possible, it is well to Jet a roast joint cool wxzcué, to supply cold meat fora crew, T Ns gravy is thus retained in the meat.

Bread should be one day old ; toast is better than a. Many crews allow butter, but as a rule a man is better without