Washington v. California

In the East, where rowing is important chiefly because it gives occasion for pleasant water-fetes, crews last week were still trying to get used to the feel of a shell after the solid oar-machines in their gymnasiums and tanks. In the West, true home of present-day U. S. rowing, great races start early. Down Oakland Estuary last week came two crews pulling easily along with bows almost exactly aligned. They were Washington and California, off in their first race of the year. For two miles and a half they moved along side by side, then something happened in the California shell. Coxswain Graham raised the stroke to 36. The Golden Bears rowed harder, faster, more jerkily. They gained no distance. The shells were still almost even, the finish a half-mile away, but the rowing-wise knew from that moment that California was beaten. The Bears were rowing 37 when suddenly, with a smooth rush of power, Washington raised their stroke to 38, moved away. Going under the bridge they had almost a length; coming through on the other side water showed clear between the shells. Washington's time was a new record, 14 min-53 3/4 sec. for three miles on the estuary. The Washington junior varsity and freshmen crews also won, also set new records for their distances.

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