Crew

In the play, Paris Bound, a suave gentleman boasts that he once stroked the Vassar crew. He was wrong in more ways than one. Vassar, famed female college though it is, has no crew. In fact, the only U. S. female college where crew is a major sport is Wellesley, at Wellesley, Mass. Last week Wellesley rowing came into the public eye and the public eye was pleased, for pretty little Maimie Sze, daughter of the Chinese Minister to the U. S., was appointed captain of the freshman crew. No muscled oarswoman she, but the coxswain who steers the boat and shouts out the rhythm loud and strong. Popular, she is also custodian of the Wellesley Athletic Association.

Wellesley's crew activity is as old as the college itself (1875). In the early days no great speed was attained, for the oars-women wore long, swishing skirts, full sleeves, sailor collars, sailor hats cocked at perilous angles, and used large, heavy rowboats. Nonetheless, they had fun, singing on the lake. About 1900 a uniform crew costume of bloomers and white sweaters was adopted; racing shells were purchased. Crew became the prime sport.

A big night at Wellesley is Float Night, late in May, when the four class crews race across the lake, while the girls on the banks sing. After that, the varsity crew is chosen --the greatest athletic honor at Wellesley.

Until a few years ago, oarswomen were required to weigh more than 120 pounds. But today, says Coach Eleanor Clifton, "the girls all seem to be growing thinner, and we cannot keep that regulation. Our only definite stipulation is that a girl have 'B' posture to qualify for crew, the rest depends on her natural ability." For three weeks before the class races, the oarswomen keep strict training: to bed at 10:30 p. m., a 15-minute nap each day, no eating between meals, no coffee, only one helping of wholesome food at meals.