All it took was the hiring of R.A. Lyvers of Philadelphia as the new secretary for our Elmira YMCA, who had the idea of a river regatta. Mr. Lyvers was knowledgeable of the river events on the Schuylkill River. He brought the idea to the boat house owners on West Water Street near the dam. Together, “they were tasked with securing prizes to be awarded to the persons having the most points,” according to the Star-Gazette on June 16, 1921.
The whole affair was under the auspices of the Central YMCA on East Market Street. Anyone who could prove they were over 12 years old could apply to swim or canoe. “Spectators will have a jolly afternoon of fun, and all Elmira should turn out on the water to aid the work. It is hoped by all that this may be a means to improve Elmira’s waterfront and eventually lead to greater things,” reported the Star-Gazette.
Excellent weather and cool, clear water met the contestants of Elmira’s first annual Water Regatta on July 2, 1921, on the Chemung River between the Walnut Street Bridge and the dam. Two thousand wide-eyed spectators jammed the bridge and the surrounding riverbanks. Because of the large crowd, two police officers were assigned to watch.
The Regatta opened at 3 p.m. with a canoe race. The winners of the men’s categories were C. M. Bush in the 440 yards – he won a steel fishing rod – and W. I. Brown in the 220 yards – no prize listed. The winner of the “girls’ handicap” was Miss Catherine O’Dea in the 220 yards – she won a Pocahontas tennis racket. Carl Galutia won the boys’ prize in the 220 yards – no prize listed.
Then, there was the “tilting contest.” With two men in a canoe, the front man was to tip the canoe to the water’s edge without upsetting the man in the rear. W. I. Brown was the winner. The “mixed race” consisted of a “lady and a gentleman in each canoe.” It listed C.M Bush as the man, but no name for the lady.
“Junior Boys under 16,” two boys in a canoe, 220 yards, the winners were Arthur Parsons and John Kelley – no prize listed. The “One boy seated” 220 yards winner was Carl Galutia – no prize listed. In the “seniors’ division,” the North Side Canoe Club earned the most points and won collectively a pair of motorist glasses, a razor set, and a ring.
In the swimming races, W. I. Brown took the men’s prize – no prize listed. Andrew Scott won the boys’ prize for 100 feet on back with no hands – he won a woolen bathing suit. Our best jack-knife diver was Andrew Scott – no prize listed. Best “Junior girl under 16” at 25 yards, any stroke, was Miss Doris Cone – no prize listed. Doris also won for “ordinary front dive.” The best diver was Miss Helen Rose – no prize listed. The best “junior girls’ team” was one by the Federation Swimming Club – they requested a large rubber ball to be used in their pool on East Church Street.
At 7:25 p.m., Miss Sybil Hauver, instructor of the Federation swimming classes, exhibited her fancy diving and underwater maneuvers. Her speed and grace were a great feature of the swimming events.
Referee of the day was R. W. Scott. Judges were William Graham and A. L. Wainwright. R. Westlake and Pastor Otto Vieweg held the official stopwatches. R. A. Lyvers planned the regatta, and J. B. Moore was the lifeguard.
After the day’s events, the YMCA officials declared, “The Regatta exceeded expectations, both in attendance and in spirit, and already plans are being made for a greater regatta in the summer of 1922.”
— Elmira city historian Diane Janowski writes a biweekly column.
This article originally appeared on Elmira Star-Gazette: Elmira’s Chemung River Regatta drew thousands in 1921 | History column
Reporting by Diane Janowski, Special to the Star-Gazette / Elmira Star-Gazette
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Diane Janowski, Special to the Star-Gazette | USA TODAY Network
