LEARN TO SWIM

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 59, Issue 138, 24 March 1939, Page 6

LEARN TO SWIM

SUCCESS OF THE CAMPAIGN. INSTRUCTION IN ASHBURTON COUNTY. TOTAL NUMBER TAUGHT, 590. The success of the learn-to-swim campaign in tiie Ashburton County this year is revealed by the detailed returns drawn up by the educational officer of the Ashburton Swimming Centro (Mr W. Hunter). The last return was received yesterday and the report shows that since the campaign commenced early in February 590 children and adults have learnt to swim. By far the greater majority of this number are children, 550 in all parts of the County having passed satisfactory tests. The 40 adults who have been taught the principles of swimming are for the most part residents of Ashburton. The number taught during last year’s campaign was 512—a record; and the fact that 78 more learnt to swim this summer reflects great credit on the work of the Centre and the hand of enthusiastic instructors who visited many schools all over the County, for the benefit of children who would otherwise have- had little opportunity of receiving training. The campaign among the children has shown immediate results, for numbers of pupils who learnt to swim at the beginning of the season have qualified for distance certificates. Clubs, too, have found that their efforts are being well repaid by increased memberships and interest in club activities. The Work of Instructors. Great benefit was derived from the visit of Mr P. A. Mathiesoii, one of the; six official coaches who toured the Dominion.' JnyAshbiirton Mr Mathieson explained to local instructors the method of tuition used throughout New Zealand. These instructors later conducted regular classes during February, and/ made; periodical visits to country centres. Assistance was given by club members and at the country centres school teachers and other enthusiasts ■undertook to give instruction. The baths of clubs, schools, and private owners were opened to the Swimming Centre for the duration of the campaign, and in some cases supplies of water were granted free by the authorities. It is estimated that ' thousands' of people have been taught to swim throughout the Dominion as a result of the campaign. During February a concerted effort to provide free instruction was made, and wherever swimming or life-saving clubs existed, all or part of the month was devoted to offering specially-organised facilities for learning. By far the most of those taught have been children. Adults have also mastered the art, reports from several districts stating that men and women well over 60 years of age have been among the successful pupils. The Detailed Returns. The detailed returns from Ashburton County Schools are as follow: Alford Forest o, Allenton 43, Ashburton Borough 58, Convent 27, Ashburton East 38, Ashburton Forks 3, Ashburton High 12, Ashburton Technical High 39, Anama 9, Bushside 12, Chertsey 7, Ealing 1, Eiffelton 32, Flemingtoii 8, Fairton 9, Higli’bank 5, Hinds 29, Lauriston 6, Lismore 3, Lowch'ffe 6, Lyndhurst 19, Lynnford 5, Mayfield 31, Methven D.H. 25, Methven Convent 10, Montalto 2, Mt. Somers 6, Ngaroma Private 5,, Rakaia IT, Riverside 3, Rokebv 5, Ruapnna 6„ Springborn 5, Tinwaid 30, Wakanui 4, Westerfield 7, Willowby 17, Winslow 1; additional 2. Total, 550. The number of adults taught is 40, details being: Borough Baths 9, East 12, Allenton 17, Methven 1.