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THE CHINA MAIL, SATURDAY, AUGUST 4, 1951.
NEW LOOK
ON THE RIVER
Members of Philadelphia's women's rowing club race their quad down Schuylkill. Since rowing demands leg work and body bending, it avoids over-development of arms; shoulders.
THE HANDS that rock the cradle have a new job in Philadelphia. They propel a shell on the Schuylkill river if their owner belongs to what is believed to be the only women's rowing club in the United States.,
Composed of office workers, nurses, telephone operators, clerks and housewives, the club is now in its 13th season. It was formed by four girls in 1938 and has had some 300
members since that time. At present 50 carswomen compete against each other and take spins in their nine shells every evening and on weekends..
Most of the members of the "weaker sex”, are batween 120 and 140 pounds, vary between 6 feet, and 5 feet, 8 inches and are in their 20s. All emphatically emphasize two points: They are not Amazons and they did not invade the
river seeking glory. Some are married, a few of them to
oarsmen.
The girls row because they like to row, with fun more Important than winning races. They do not engage in pre- season exercises or practice on rowing machines.
The only membership requirements are that recruits be 10 or older and have their physician's approval to row.
VETERANS take turns teaching new members in single-seated learner's shell. Prospective recruits are accepted after 30-day probationary period.
THE GIRLS cat whatever they like and as much as they want, with the exception of sweets. At a soda foun tain, two.ourswomen sip plain soda while hungrily eyeing the sundae being consumed by a non-rower,
McDevilt and Joan Players Ca
| of the TEWIDE.
are made by professional VETE