SWIMMING.

Auckland Star, Volume LVII, Issue 43, 20 February 1926, Page 25

SWIMMING.

GRAMMAR SCHOOL GALA.

The Grammar Swimming Club's carnival on Tuesday night wae rather disappointing in some ways, apart from the fact that the ranks of the swimmers were depleted owing to a number of the men being in camp. Then entries, considering everything, were good, but the number of scratchings just before the races was most disappointing. The officials were not quite up to scratch on Tuesday,, with the result that delays were frequent, and, it is suggested, unnecessarily so. In the 100 yds inter-ciub race, Kronfeld conceded 9s, but he appeared to be "dead," and was not swimming up to his usual form. He considerably reduced the distance on the first lap, but after that he tired visibly, and whs right out of the running in the final spurt. He xlid better in the 220 yds open handicap, but was still not able to beat Bridson, to whom he conceded 2s. The latter swam a great race, but was beaten by about eight yards by Watson on 255. The 100 yds breaststroke , handicap provided one of the most interesting races. In the first heat Welson led all the way. Miss Pidgeon hung on to him over the full length and gave a wonderful exhibition. Going into the second lap, Welson was just ahead of-Miss Pidgeon, while Morris, the scratch man, was coming up fast. A solid pace was sot over the last 50yds, and Welson got the verdict by a yard from Miss Pid-

the various firms in the city, and is a departure that is worthy of every support. Each year the clubs compete for a shield that is at present hold by Messrs. George Court's team. The programme to be swum off on the night of the carnival is comprehensive to a degree, and should prove decidedly interesting. There will be an exhibition swim by the members of the winning Flying Squadron team at the New Zealand championships. The distance will be 500 yds. A non-shield event has been added at the request of the Girls' Interhouse Sports Association. This will take the form of a 33 l-3yds novice race, open to this season's "Learn-to-swim" beginners. Apart from these events, there will be ample to keep the spectators interested. The various teams are at present training hard, and, after watching them in action the opinion has been formed that fast times, combined with decidedly good racing, will be the result. The ladies are equally as keen , as the men, and there are some fast swimmers among the fair sex. It is understood that the association has a proposal before it to send a team to Wellington to represent Auckland against the Wellington Drapers' Club's combined toam. The departure of A. E. Baird for Napier, where lie is now residing, came as a big surprise to the swimmers of Auckland. His absence will be a dis- ,- tinct loss to his old club, Waitemnta, and to Auckland, but the Napier Club, to which he now belongs, may rest assured that it has one of the finest swimmers in New Zealand domiciled within its gates. Having lost its mile, 220 yds, 440 yds. and 880 yds champion, Auckland will have to look round for

geon. The second tieat saw a great tussle between Ansell, Bruton and Lowe. Ansell, on 10s, soon overhauled Miss Thompson, on 17s. He established a good lead, and then Lowe began to show out. Bruton, scratch, -was steadily getting up to the front men. In a great finish Ansell went out to win by five yards from Bruton, with Lowe, a yard back, third. The final saw Welson get early to the front with Ansell chasing him. Miss Pidgeon and Lowe were next, with Bruton well back. The same order ruled over the second lap, and then Ansell challenged and crept up to Welson. In a good finish Welson won by two yards from Ansell, with Lowe the same distance back, third. Miss Pidgeon was fourth. It is pleasing to note that the breaststroke is becoming more popular than it usSd to be. This is a stroke that is excellent over long distances. While not permitting of the speed to be obtained from the crawl stroke, it certainly gets the swimmer through the water, and is more restful than the others. In Auckland there are quite a number of good breaststrokS exponents. Miss Pidgeon is in a class of her own as far as the ladies are concerned, and it is a pity there are not more ladies to compete against her and give her a chance of racing among her own sex. Miss Thompson was a competitor on Tuesday, and with practice will do better. It is to be hoped that more ladies will take to this stroke and so make the competition more keen. Among the men, Bruton and Morris stand out, but Ansell and Lowe are coming on splendidly. Ansell swam a great race on Tuesday, and fully deserved the second honours. Lowe is a consistent young swimmer and has always to be watched in handicap events. A matter that should come under the notice of-parents and teachers of swimming is the use of water wings. There may appear to be a degree of safety in their use, but it is a bad policy to allow their use. A child using water wings comes to rely on them for support in the water, with the result that the time comes when they cannot be done without. There is always the risk, too, that the wings ■will become dislodged and come too far under the armpits, with the result that the head is thrown under water. Such an occurrence would possibly end in drowning, especially if the child was not with people who were handy. The practice is not indulged in to the extent it used to be, but a boy was seen using them the other day, and before they again come into general use, it is as "well to warn the children that their use is not advised. ■ The time is drawing near for the swimming carnival to be presented by the Retail Drapers and Mercers' Swimming Club at the Tepid Baths on March 2. The club is in reality the controlling body for several sub-clubs, which, are composed of representatives from

another man to take his place. Baird has gone, and there is not the slightest good in grieving over the matter. Although Auckland's loss will be Napier's gain, we still have in G. Bridson a distance swimmer, who, while still in the intermediate grade, will not be long in entering the ranks of the seniors, and becoming a serious rival to any man in the Dominion. The swimmers of Auckland will all wish Baird the best of Luck in Napier and hope that he will continue to outclass all comers for some time to come. His efforts in Napier will be watched with interest. The Mount Eden Club will hold another carnival at the Mount Eden Baths on Monday night next, when the 50yds championship of Auckland will be decided. This should add considerable interest to the carnival as the finalists are all keen to annex the championship. There are any amount of other events that will provide a good evening's entertainment. Sixteen years ago, writes Les. Wren in the Sydney "Referee," Ivan Stedman competed in his first Victorian championship at "The Dive," Surrey Park, and although only in his early 'teens, finished third in the 100 yards title event on that occasion. On Saturday last he won his first Victorian breaststroke championship at the same location. Stedman has reversed the usual order. Australian titles and honours as finalist at the Olympic Games were gained by him prior to the Victorian breaststroke title. Saturday's race was started from a platform Sft above water level. The regulations governing the recognition of records stipulate that the starting platform must not be more than 3ft above water. In allotting championships the association should insist upon the course and all conditions complying with requirements, so that should a record be established recognition will not be withheld. Stedman gained half a length at the start, and, maintaining this advantage throughout, won from A. Lawson (Albert Park) and L. Coombes, a promising youth of IS years of age, from Surrey Park, in lm 17s. "No doubt the Sheffield Shield matches will continue to drag on. It is often a matter of tiring the bowler and then securing the runs. Such cricket is a tax on the spectators, who eventually lose interest in the game. The proposed change may do away with the stonewaller," said the cricketer international. J. M. Taylor at a meeting of the New South Wales Cricket Association, when seconding a notice of motion incorporatino- proposals for brightening the Sheffield Shield matches. R. J. A. Massie pave notice of motion that Sheffield Shield matches be limited to four days. A win on the first innings would be worth two points, and an outright win four points. The ■winner would then be decided on the points.