Wemmer Pan Rowing Club |
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The History of Wemmer Pan Rowing Club (Part 2)
In 1960 even greater glory was to be achieved by the club when D. H. Lord, W. J. Mok, J. F. Stocchi and T. R. Steyn of the coxless four-oared boat and A. S. Patterson, Coach/Manager, were selected to participate at the Rome Olympic Games. This was a truly magnificent effort, as selection had been made only after successful timed trials of Olympic standard had been achieved. The crew also rowed at the Henley Royal Regatta before proceeding to Rome. Today seven club members wear the green and gold Springbok blazer.
In 1961 the Johannesburg City Council restored the Pan to its original size, provided better facilities for water recreation and, as a result, the Wemmer Pan Rowing Club grew from strength to strength. Rowing activity on the Pan increased considerably when the Wits University Boat Club and the Viking Rowing Club moved there in 1962.
An outstanding run of rowing success was achieved by the Club during the period 1959 to 1967, when it
was unusual to see a Wemmer crew on the losing side in both Senior and Junior races. Notable achievements,
other than international honours, were: two victories over the visiting Cambridge Boat Club coxless four in
1959, winning of the Buffalo Grand Challenge on nine occasions, 1959, 1960, 1961, 1962, 1965, 1966. 1967. 1968 and 1970, and the South African Championship Eights in1960, 1961, 1962, 1963, 1964, 1965, 1966, 1967 and 1968, and the South African Championship Coxless Fours in 1959, 1960, 1961, 1962, 1963. 1965, 1966 and 1967, and numerous other successes in both Junior and Senior rowing and sculling. Two club members, W. J. Mok and K. Reid, were selected to accompany the Viking Rowing Club crew to the Henley Royal Regatta in 1966, where they competed with distinction in the Wyfold Fours.
In order to encourage the fullest use of the facilities at Wemmer Pan the club has from time to time accepted the affiliation of various aquatic sport sub-sections, the oldest being the Transvaal Under Water Research Group. This group actively promotes the sport of skin diving and related skills. In 1967 the Vaderland Canoe Club became an affiliated section. Sailing returned to Wemmer Pan after an absence of over 40 years when the Southern Cross Sailing Club was formed in 1968.
1968
1968 proved to be a year of mixed fortunes on the rowing front in that while still dominating the Senior Division the club had little success in the Junior ranks. Administratively, however, the Club remained very strong and this was underlined when a consignment of new boats arrived: an eight, a coxed four and a double sculler, costing almost R6,000, the largest single order ever placed by the Club.
1969
The small influx of novice and junior members over the previous years was strongly felt by the Club in 1969, which having dominated Senior Rowing for over 10 years found itself unable to win more than a few minor senior races during the regatta season. The main reason for this was the foundation of the S.A.A.R.U. Trident Club, which after annexing three of the clubs senior oarsmen, Jack Mok, Mike McMahon and Paul Diener proceeded to win most of the senior events with Wemmer as their main opponents. Paul Diener eventually was selected to accompany the Trident Crew to Europe and in so doing maintained the Clubs record of being the supplier of international oarsmen. August, 1969, marked an historic moment in the history of the Club, when for the first time, the club colours were unveiled by Doug Munton. These colours are depicted in a mosaic plaque of the Club Badge, and are set into the back wall of the Club House.
The Transvaal Underwater Research Group remained active and the Southern Cross Sailing Club Increased its progressiveness by staging a two-day Regatta in November, 1969, which attracted some 80 entries thus establishing this event firmly in the sailing circles calendar. Owing to the increasing membership of the Club and Its associated sub-sections, it was necessary to extend the Club House premises originally erected during 1961. The "roof wetting" combined with the Annual Xmas party on December 6, 1969, marked the first occasion of many happy hours shared under the new roof by members of all sections.
1970
The downward trend in the intake of new novice and Junior oarsmen continued in 1970 and was forcefully reflected at the S.A. Championship Regatta where for the first time since 1957 Wemmer, who were represented In most events were unable to record a single victory in the exceedingly rough conditions on Wagendrift Dam. However, on the brighter side our
senior coxless four, Paul Diener, Mike McMahon, Ray Cox and Veteran Jack Mok succeeded In bring back once again the Coveted Buffalo Grand Challenge trophy from East London. They won this event convincingly and in fine style as they did with all their races during the season except for the afore mentioned S.A. Champs. With the exception of Jack Mok the other three men were selected for the Trident.
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