Wemmer Pan Rowing Club |
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The History of Wemmer Pan Rowing Club (Part 3)
Crew 1970 European Tour. This crew performed very well and succeeded in winning the Wyfold Challenge Cup at the Henley Royal Regatta. During the course of the tour the Trident crew achieved the S.A. qualifying times, in competition with other international crews, and the stage was set for S.A. to be represented at the 1970 World Championships in Canada. In view of the world political climate however, the crew was advised not to appear at the World Championships.
On their return to S.A. the Tridents were awarded their Springbok colours so boosting the number of club members wearing the green and gold to eleven [Henri De Kok, Ian Stephen, Doug Munton, Trevor Steyn, Stan Patterson, Jack Mok, Dave Lord, Franco Stocchi, Paul Diener, Ray Cox and Mike McMahon.) Subsequently, Iver Valdal, ex Durban R.C. and the fourth member of the Trident crew also joined Wemmer and increased the total Springbok members to twelve.
Administratively the club continued to operate strongly and this was illustrated by the arrival of a new Stampfli Coxed Four which was christened "Sprint 69" by our Hon. Vice President, Kurt Suransky, at a special ceremony after the annual general meeting in July. At the time of going to press the senior crew, in particular, and all members were anxiously awaiting the arrival of a new Stampfli Cox'less Four and three fibreglass sculling boats ordered from Baker in England. The fibreglass skiffs are for general club use and competition.
The year 1970 once again saw the water drained from Wemmer Pan. this time for the installation of a water organ donated by the City Council, to commemorate "Water Year". While the water was lowered an attempt to remove silt and reeds, threatening to render the water useless for aquatic sports, was made by the City Council.
The use of conventional drag line equipment proved unsuccessful and it is evident that a major programme involving high costs is the only solution which will save the Pan. The Council, in conjunction with mining consultants, are presently studying the project and it is hoped that work will start next year. Advantage of the lowered water level was not, however, entirely lost from our point-of-view as the City Council very generously rebuilt the stake jetty at the start of the 700m. course and also made a major improvement to the water front at the club premises by removing the old wooden jetty and building a concrete wall jetty across the entire front. These two items are much appreciated improvements and the club is grateful to the City Council for their sympathetic consideration in these matters. In an endeavour to ascertain the origin of the Wemmer Pan Rowing Club badge. I spent many pleasant hours with some of the real old timers of the club just reminiscing. Memories certainly grow dim about more mundane matters, but the highlights. such as joyous days spent at the club, either on the water or enjoying tomfoolery taking place in the club-house itself, comes easily to their minds.
There appeared little difficulty in recalling the peaceful Sunday afternoons watching Jimmy Bell (260 lbs.).for should you perhaps take a nap you would suddenly find yourself rudely awakened and having to swim or drown.
Therefore, the origin will have to remain obscure. other than to say that as far as their memories can reveal, it appears that the late "Pop" Cadle [Chairman), and late Mr. Hansen were responsible for the design round about the period 1928. The sailing section had dwindled to about only three yachts - "Firefly" (Jimmy McDevitt) "Microbe" (Tom Juniper] and "another" [Mr. Grieves), while the Rowing section gathered strength and culminated in Henri De Kok's selection to the Games.
It may have been Henri's success which prompted this change from Sailing club to Rowing club. Who knows? Perhaps a "get-together" again of the old timers would help to remind us of other interesting aspects of Wemmer's history, such as the drying up in 1929 and the move to Rosherville. I am even sure some old photographs showing the pan in its early days, might come to light. Has anyone endeavoured to ascertain just how old the club is? Interested? I am sure some people would be.
H. I. JUNIPER.
