Crew

Spring vacation marks the transfer of Dartmouth Rowing Club activity from indoor machine practice to the real thing as eight Indian crews head South in quest of ice-free waters.

Varsity heavyweight oarsmen, under Coach Richard B. Dalbeck '52, have again accepted the hospitality of Rollins College in Winter Park, Florida, where they will train for most of the recess after a threeday series of workouts on the Charles River in Boston to get the "feel" of the water. Dalbeck's charges are led by Captain Richard A. Hall '53 who tops a list of five returning lettermen. Also competing for seats in the first shell are five members of last year's jayvees plus six oarsmen from the '55 freshman eight.

In the lighter weight division, Coach Theodore A. McKown '53 plans to work his 150-pounders at St. John's College in Annapolis, Md., for the entire vacation, March 28 to April 13. Though hit hard by the loss of five of the 1952 first boat, four of whom are still connected with the Club in other capacities, the lightweights expect to have a taller and more experienced crew than last year's. Captain Anson Mark '53, two other lettermen and four numeral winners form the nucleus of McKown's varsity and jayvee shells.

Though handicapped as in the past by the Hanover climate which prohibits practice on the Connecticut until well into April, the various crews have been getting into top condition on the machines in Alumni Gymnasium since Carnival. Lacking indoor tanks, the crews must count on the machines mainly for conditioning.

However, all crews enjoyed an excellent fall season which lasted from Convocation through Houseparties and provided many hours on the river. Particularly encouraging was the large freshman turnout for fall practice. Out of the 138 frosh who answered a Rowing Club questionnaire many remain as good prospects. After cuts for the spring trip Coaches David R. Replogle '53 and Gerrit W. Zwart '54 plan to retain two full boats each in the heavy and lightweight division.

Coaching facilities of the Club have been recently augmented by the purchase of a second launch. This move was necessary because of the anticipated conflict in practice schedules this spring when the Club will have eight shells on the water. Due to the large membership, approaching the hundred mark, and the valuable assets of the organization, the Dartmouth Rowing Club gained formal recognition from the College this winter when its constitution was accepted. The new position of the crew is similar to that held by the DOC. Dr. Robert G. Fisher of the Medical School, Assistant Dean Arthur H. Kiendl '44 and Gilbert R. Tanis '38 of the Dartmouth Development Council have assumed supervisory roles on the Board of Directors of the Club.