Auckland Grammar School, Takapuna Grammar School and other NZ clubs.”5462 Hilary Craies: “Taking into account the body type, strength, age, etc. of the crew that he was coaching, he used schools, especially WBHS, and us women as guinea pigs for testing his theories before getting what he considered to be the correct style for general use.”5463 Grant Craies: “I turned out for rowing at Westlake Boys HS in 1983. I had to trial like anyone else to gain a place in the programme. I was too small to row and a bit big to cox, and I was unlikely to grow taller soon either. If it was felt you were going to grow, you would go through. Most of the time they picked it right, so I was rejected. Dad said I didn’t meet the requirements that all other boys faced. “But Dad was overruled by the other coaches. They said, ‘You have coached everyone else’s sons, so now you should coach your own.’ “So I coxed in 1983 and then rowed the following years. My first year was an amazing year. At the Maadi Cup Regatta, WBHS only had four eights but three boats doubled up and won two titles apiece. My crew won two NZ titles in under an hour. “We won seven of the eight events for eights. We didn’t have a crew for the other event.”5464 Eric Craies coached Dudley Storey and Tony Hurt, both of whom went on to Olympic titles under Rusty Robertson,5465 and he coached Mike Stanley, Andy Hay and Barrie Mabbott, who went on to World titles under Harry Mahon.5466 A number of members of the 1950, 1956 and 1964 boats became coaches themselves and carried on Eric Craies’ message. 5462 G. Craies, op. cit. 5463 H. Craies, op. cit. 5464 G. Craies, op. cit. 5465 See Chapter 120. 5466 See Chapter 133. THE AGE OF ENLIGHTENMENT R.I.P. Eric Craies received an MBE for his services to rowing. He passed away in 2007 at the age of 94 and is remembered fondly today. Bruce Malcolm: “I was selected in the New Zealand rowing eight nominated for the Olympic Games in 1956. Our crew trained in Auckland for several months, and one can only imagine under Eric’s leadership how well we developed and how lifelong friendships were made. “When our crew disbanded, I basically commenced my coaching and using Eric’s techniques, had many successes. “The four things I always remember from Eric: • Relaxation • Concentration • Determination • Confidence “On receiving the news that Eric had passed away, I sat with the photo of our crew in 1956 and thought of all the times we shared and was indeed grateful that I had had the privilege of being coached by him and knowing him as one of New Zealand’s greatest coaches.”5467 Jim Little, 1964 squad: “I am sorry to hear of Eric’s passing. My thoughts of Eric over the years have only been of great respect. During my years of coaching, I often thought how Eric might have solved a technique problem or spoken to a crew to 5467 Malcolm, letter to the Craies family, December, 2007 1511
