KEEN SURFERS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVIII, Issue 47, 25 February 1937, Page 27

KEEN SURFERS.

STANDARDS IN N.Z.

COMPARISON BY VISITOR.

AUSTRALIAN TEAM MANAGER,

Impressions gathered during the Australian instructional surf team's tour of >-e«- Zealand were priven by the manager. Mr. J. R. Cameron, before the team sailed for Sydney by the Awatea vesterday afternoon. '■Tli. feature that struck me most was the keenness displayed by your elub meml.i>. ,, said Mr. Cameron. "Hail ■wind .itt.l rain d<> not. appear to worry them. J think if our fellows had to turn out in i-uch conditions they would find some other recreation. , ' Many of the efforts of the New Zealand tea ins were lost because clubs were not em a led to enclose beaches for carnivals and charge the public for exhibitions -aid Mr. Cameron. The finances of most of the club*, therefore, were not sound, and the clubs were, as a result landiiaj.ped through lack of money. Asked about the general standard of the Xew Zealand teams, Mr. Cameron did not appear to be greatly impressed. '•\our teams on parade are too stiff and unnatural." he said. "They should be relaxed, like Australian teams. Too much running about and shouting instructions is done by the captains. I think the seventh man, the captain is quite unnecessary. Xo captains are nectary in Australian teams. They are ■well trained, and every man knows his particular job. I would like, to see New Zealand teams trained to that sta<-e of efficiency." c

Increased and better control on beaches was regarded by Mr. Cameron as essential in New Zealand. He maintained that it was essential to have bathers congregated in one spot and not scattered all over the beach. When the people were under proper control risk was minimised. Mr. Cameron declared that Piha was a magnificent beach with a beautiful drive to it. The aurf club had done much to popularise the beach and Mr. Cameron believed that the Waiteniata County Council, who controlled it, should give every assistance possible to the club. Local bodies in Australia greatly assisted the surf clubs bv making crrants, and Mr. Cameron considered it was the d-ity of local bodies in the Dominion to act similarly. All members of the Australian team hoped that * Xew Zealand side would be sent to Australia next year to take part in the centenary celebrations and in the Empire Games, which are to be held at Svdnev.