FIELD OF SPORT

Ashburton Guardian, Volume XLIII, Issue 9793, 8 February 1923, Page 2

FIELD OF SPORT

NOTES AND COMMENTS.

THE SWIMMING CARNIVAL.

(By "Onlooker.")

Local swimmers, and particularly learners of the art, should benefit considerably by the splendid exhibitions of the different racing strokes given at the Swimming Club's carnival on Saturday afternoon. The American crawl stroke., in particular, was much in evidence, 1 while C. Herd's reproduction of the breast-stroke was worthy of study. The latter lies as horizontal as possible in the water, and after the direct stroke of the legs backwards brings the feet well together when the legs are at full length, thus adding length and power to the leg action. Perhaps the. three best visiting exponents of the crawl stroke were Miss P. Hoeft (Auckland), N S. Batchelor (East Christchurch), and R. B. Wheeley j (United). Miss Hoeft's style differing very little from Batchelor's, comparative purposes will be served by selecting out Batchelor and Wheeley. The former's head and shoulders are kept more or less out of the water by hollowing the back, the water striking the inclined plane of the front of his shoulders and chest, thus tending to lift him further out of the water, as is the effect, on a larger scale, with a seaplane. The opinion has beon expressed that with the head and shoulders held well up greater power can also be put into the leg strokes, a slight rolling of the body from side to side giving extra length and power to both arm and leg actions. Wheeley's style, on the other hand, is concornod with mors strokes in a given time, which permits of very little rolling. The water is planed from his nose and chin, his shoulders are in the water, and, in order to increase the length of the stroke, a decided " dip " is given to each as the arm finishes beyond his waist. His particular style has an advantage in the leg stroke, for the almost horizontal position in the water allows of the use of the whole length of the leg in the stroke, whereas with the other style • the leg action is inclined to be only from the knee, which means that with the bending of the knee the thigh will drop slightly from the horizontal and thus retard the swimmer by its being in contact with the water at an angle. Should learners be> keen enough to set about learning this stroke systematically, the suggestion that the leg action be mastered first may prove useful. This can be done by holding on to the side of the bath with both hands, the arms extended, and the leg stroke practised in that way, the body being kept as horizontal as possible.

This brings us to the problem of the beginner, and the question as to how local clubs can best help to bring on the young hopefuls. The interest taken in swimming by good performers has as a general rule been inculcated dur* ing their school days, and it is to the schools that the clubs should look for their coming champions. It is pleasing to note that at most of the schools the masters take a keen interest in the boys' sports* and help to draw out and direct the true sporting spirits by a far greater degree than the curriculum may possibly demand. The secretaries of clubs would be well advised to keep in touch with the school coaches, especially at the end of the school year, when boys who showed interest in this form of sport might be encouraged to link up with the adult clubs. If a good coach is obtainable for the clubs, so much the better; but in any case the boys should be encouraged by the members to master good style and become proficient. It is not so much the practical advice (naturally sometimes conflicting) which is given by individual members to the boys that helps thorn, but it is the mere fact of the interest taken in their welfare that makes the boys 'strive to attain to a good style. The older members also might accept the tip to concentrate more on the attainment of a good style than on the obtaining of a fast time. Speed will come, not by labouring through the water at an enormous expense of energy with a cramped and awkward stroke" but by dogged persistency in mastering an easy and untrained style. Too much seeking alter fast times without reference to easiness of stroke has spoilt far more promising champions than it has made.

In its desire to confine the Studholme Cricket Shield contest to town teams the Ashbtirton Cricket Association will doubtless/have the support of the majority of enthusiasts of the game. The number of defaults on the part of the country clubs,, especially during" the busy harvest season, robs the competition of a lot of its interest, .giving many players who practice solidly all the week an idle Saturday so far as actual play is concerned. The mixed nature of fhe wickets and outfield in the different centres certainly does not aid in increasing the standard of play. The Association does not desire to leave the country clubs to their fate, and the question of making provision for competitions for them will probably be the principal subject for discussion.at the next meeting.

The St. Patrick's Day Axemen's and Athletic Club, of Taihape, is holding a monster programme of events on March 17 and 19, and is offering prize-money totalling £6OO. This is the biggest professional meeting on record in New Zealand, and is attracting Dominion-wide attention. Chopping prizes range from £lO to £IOO cash, while one of the athletic events (120yds handicap) carries as much as £6O for first place. No cycling events appear on the programme.