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CHAPTER XIII.

ROWING CLUBS.

formation of a ‘club’ for the pursuit of any branch of sport gives a local stimulus at once to the game, and lends facilities for the acquisition of merit in the performance. This. is peculiarly the case with rowing, and for more than one reason, Theoretically a man might, by unaided scientific study, elaborate for himsclf the most improved system or prin- ciple of oarsmanship. Practically he will do nothing of the sort, and if left to teach himself will develop all sorts of faults of style, which tend to the outlay of 2 maximum of exertion for a minimum of progress. ‘The tiro in oarsmanship requires instruction from the outset ; the sooner he is taught, the more likely is he to become proficient. If he begins to teach him- self, he will certainly acquire faulty action, which will settle to habit. If later on he has recourse to a mentor, the labours of both pupil and tutor will be more arduous than if the pupil